Family Information Night

Family Information Night

Addressing Common Challenges in Education

By: Travis Agnew

2/12/25
 Introduction
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

Families play an essential role in a child’s education, but many face obstacles that can
make it difficult to be as involved as they’d like to be.

Today’s Focus: Make it easier for parents to have access to the things they need and
provide families with practical solutions, resources, and strategies that can help ease these
challenges in order to support their child. We will be specifically talking about the following:
SUBHEAD

● Financial issues
● Difficulty getting time away from a job
● Difficulties obtaining appropriate educational services

Why This Matters: Addressing these challenges allows us to ensure that every child has
the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their family’s circumstances.
DATE
 Financial Issues
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

Many families face financial challenges, making it hard to afford school supplies, transportation, or
attend school events. Some also struggle to pay for extracurricular activities or lunch which can
put a financial burden on the family.

Potential Solutions:

● Free or Reduced Lunch and School Supplies Programs.

● Ask the school about potential scholarships, grants, and vouchers that are available for
students
● Financial assistance programs for events like field trips.
● Community Partnership

School Strategies:

● Share community resources like food banks, discounted transportation, and free meal
programs.
● Communicate available programs regularly through newsletters, calls, or emails.
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● Offer workshops or one-on-one sessions to help families navigate the application process
 Financial Issues
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●
(Cont)
Local Resources:

Community Charities and Food Banks: Offer food and sometimes school supplies, easing
the financial burden on families.
● Nonprofit Organizations: Provide assistance with school supplies, transportation, or
scholarships for activities.
● Local Religious Institutions: Churches, synagogues, and mosques often offer support
programs for food, school supplies, and event fees.

Technology Resources:

● Online Resources: Websites and apps provide information on grants, scholarships, and
financial help for school expenses.
● Library or School Help Desks: Offer free computer access and support for financial
applications.
● Government Websites: Provide financial assistance programs for school-related costs.
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 Time Away From
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Work
Many parents have trouble taking time off from work to attend meetings, school events, or provide
necessary care at home. This can create stress and an imbalance between work and availability
for their child.

Potential Solutions:

● Parents can ask for evening or weekend meetings in order to make attendance possible.
Meetings can also be done on Zoom or Google Meet if possible.
● Teachers can be flexible and record, meetings, work sessions, or school events so parents
can catch up when it's convenient for them and stay involved.

School Strategies:

● Schools can offer school events at different times (Morning/afternoon/evening) to ensure

parents can participate and support their child without taking time off from work.
● Schools can provide childcare during school meetings or events to make it easier for
parents to attend.
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● Schools can use communication apps like parent square or school portals to keep parents
up-to-date even if they cannot attend a single event.
 Time Away From Work
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(Cont)
Local Resources:

● Child care services or family support programs may help provide care during school
events.
● Community centers may offer programs or resources to support working parents.
● Some local schools or businesses may offer programs that assist parents with flexible
hours or on-site childcare during school events.

Technology Resources:

● Using virtual meetings and emails can allow parents to stay involved without taking
time off work.
● Parents can also use school apps to access updates and communicate with teachers
remotely.
● Online scheduling tools can help parents book times for meetings or conferences
when it works best for them.
DATE
 Difficulties Obtaining
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Educational Services
Some families struggle to get the right educational services for their child, especially if the child has special
needs. This can be frustrating and overwhelming."

Potential Solutions:

● Schools can provide clearer information about the services available and how to access them.
● Schools can provide support for families and help them navigate the application and referral
processes for special education services.
● Schools should create dedicated support teams, such as school liaisons or counselors, who can
assist families with understanding their child’s educational rights and services

School Strategies

● Schools should provide clear and accessible information about educational services through
school websites, brochures, or meetings.
● Schools should offer one-on-one support from counselors, special education, or other
support staff to help families navigate the processes.
● Schools can host workshops to educate families on accessing special education services.
DATE
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
Difficulties Obtaining
Educational Services
(Cont)
Local Resources:

● "Local school districts and non-profits can help families access special education services."
● "Parent advocacy groups can guide families through the process of securing appropriate educational
services."
● "Community health centers may also offer support and referrals for families seeking special education
services."

Technology Resources:

● "Websites and apps can help families research and apply for educational programs."
● "For families without technology, schools can provide paper brochures or phone numbers to access
services."
● "Online support groups and forums can connect families with others facing similar challenges, offering advice
and guidance."
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 At Home Engagement
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Activity
Activity:
Family Workshop on Strengthening Family Connections and Academic Support

Purpose:
Help families create positive learning environments, build relationships, and support success
through communication and teamwork.

Location:
School, virtually, or community centers for accessibility.

Objective:
Collaborate and create a schedule in order to equip families with tools to strengthen
communication, set effective routines, and support their child’s education.

● Interactive Discussion: Families discuss how to promote positive home learning and
healthy routines.
● Hands-on Activities: Parents and children create a calendar and collaborate on fun
academic activities for home.
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● Family Group Sharing: Families share strategies that have worked, learning from each
other.
 At Home Engagement
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Activity Examples
Interactive Discussion Example:

● Question 1: What routines do you currently have at home to support your child's learning?
● Question 2: How do you make time for both academic support and family bonding in your daily
schedule?
● Question 3: What challenges have you faced in creating a productive learning environment, and
how did you overcome them?
● Question 4: How can we improve communication at home to better support our child’s academic
success?

Example of Hands-On Activity:

● Activity: Create a Weekly Learning Schedule

○ Materials: Paper, markers, and stickers (or digital tools for virtual sessions and to support
different learners).
○ Instructions: Parents and children will work together to create a weekly schedule that
balances schoolwork, playtime, chores, and family time. Parents will assist their child in
writing down their school tasks while kids decorate the schedule with stickers to make it
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visually engaging and personal. This encourages both time management and collaboration
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

Communication Plan
Examples of Positive and Two-Way Open Communication

● I want to support all families, and I know that each family’s situation is
unique. I will keep communication open and share resources through
newsletters, phone calls, or emails.
● If you ever feel overwhelmed, please know that I am here to listen and
assist however I can.
● Let’s work together to find solutions that will help your child succeed.
● If there are any specific needs or challenges, I encourage you to reach out
so we can work collaboratively to address them
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LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

Conclusion
● Thank you for being part of this important conversation today. Together, we have
explored how financial issues, work issues, and educational service challenges
impact families, and solutions to \ address them. Remember, you are not alone in this
journey. Every family’s situation is unique, but by staying connected, communicating
openly, and utilizing the resources available to you, we can ensure that your child gets
the support they need to succeed.
DATE
 References
Macey, Heather, "Creating a Schedule That Increases Instructional Time" (2010). All Graduate Projects.
95. https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/graduate_projects/95

Selman, S. B., & Dilworth-Bart, J. E. (2024). Routines and child development: A systematic review. Journal of Family
Theory & Review, 16(2), 272–328. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12549