Barnwell and Francis Howell Middle Schools strive to be key cogs in
our community, not only as places of learning, but also as centers of
community engagement. Their efforts to join school and community
together have earned them 2016 Partnership School Awards from the
National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) at Johns Hopkins
University. Both schools were recognized for making excellent progress
in strengthening and sustaining comprehensive programs of school,
family, and community partnerships.
“Francis Howell
Middle firmly believes in connecting with our parents and greater school
community,” said Principal Dr. Ted Huff. “By creating a positive
partnership, we are able to learn and grow from our parents, teachers,
and community (and vice versa). It is very rewarding when we are able to
work alongside our school community members. We are all here to help
each other.”
FHMS provided detailed descriptions of
specific strategies that help to engage more and different families in
ways that support school improvement goals for student success. NNPS
looks for evidence of good program development including teamwork,
leadership, goal-linked plans for action, implementation, evaluation,
and network connections. FHMS’s Family Trivia Night is included in the
new edition of Promising Partnership Practices 2016. The reviewers
praised the way FHMS’s Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) reached out to
engage students’ families. Reviewers also commended the Grade 6
transition activity, noting the good planning that was done for a useful
series of events and activities. “What a wonderful way to help more
students make a smooth transition to the middle school,” wrote one
reviewer.
Barnwell submitted a description of their
robotics program and the process they use to identify and support parent
coaches for each team. Principal Dave Eckhoff raved about how parent
volunteers are the true catalyst for their robotics teams. Because of
these parent volunteers, Barnwell is able to field six to seven teams
each year. “At Barnwell Middle, we know that our school is a hub of the
community,” Eckhoff said. “Getting our families involved in the
education of our students is vital. One key to the success of our
robotics program is the hard work of parent volunteers who serve as
coaches and mentors for each team. They are the key to the success of
our students as well.”
“These schools are applying
research-based approaches to strengthen their welcoming climate, and to
engage parents and community partners in ways that improve student
attendance, behavior, achievement, health, and high school graduation
rates,” said Dr. Joyce L. Epstein, Director of NNPS.
Both
schools will continue to strengthen their programs of school, family,
and community partnerships in the new school year. These efforts are
designed to help all students
succeed at high levels. For their
award, the selected programs will receive a $500 check from NNPS,
renewal of NNPS membership for next year, and a plaque showcasing their
achievement. The programs will be recognized on the NNPS website with a
summary and a photo of the participants. Read about NNPS at
www.partnershipschools.org.