Have you ever wished you were more involved with your child’s school? Or maybe just felt out of the loop?
Research has shown that parent and family engagement with schools increases student achievement, attendance and community climate. 
At SST8 one of our goals is to highlight high quality, effective engagement practices, build adult capabilities, improve leadership at all levels, and build on the strength of parents, families and communities!
And so, on May 8, 2018 from 9-3:30pm, SST8 is excited to host a Family Engagement Conference for families as well as school personnel and community agencies to have the opportunity to come together to learn from Dr. Karen Mapp and other breakout sessions. The purpose of this Family Engagement Conference will be:
• Focus on empowering parents, building parent leadership, and developing capacity for families to act as partners in decision making with schools. 
• Provide information to support and encourage family engagement at home. 
• Learn about family engagement practices in schools that are linked to student learning and program improvements. 
• Focus on building trusting and respectful relationships among staff, families, students, and community members that recognize, respect, and address cultural and class differences. 
 
Continued on page 2 
 
1

	Article continued from page 1
 
• Begin conversations about purposeful community partnerships focused on increasing access to resources and services and engaging stakeholders as decision makers. 
• Build the capacity of both families and school staff to share responsibility and work together as equal partners in improving school and student outcomes.
In addition to the sessions that will be offered at this FREE conference, attendees will be able to participate in our 2nd annual Family Engagement Recognition Showcase. The primary criteria for recognition is that practices are relevant, useful and ultimately increase true communication and partnerships between families and schools. The showcase presentation will support families by sharing their family engagement ideas and offering an opportunity to share ideas that might work in other schools. 
The conference will be a gathering place for various stakeholders including families, teachers, parents, school administrators, and community organizers.
Registration is required; information is forthcoming. We hope to see you there and have included a Save the Date on the next page.

2
Family Engagement Conference and Second Annual Family  Engagement Recognition Showcase                                          
 Save the Date – May 8, 2018
The Family Engagement Showcase will celebrate and recognize either district or building level family engagement strategies, activities or events that foster communication and partnerships between teachers, schools and families from Medina, Summit and Portage counties.
When:  Tuesday, May 8, 2018 from 9:00 am—3:00 pm 
Where:  Summit ESC, 420 Washington Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44221
Special Keynote Speaker and Presenter will be Dr. Karen Mapp, senior lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and author of Beyond the Bake Sale (2003) and Powerful Partnerships: A Teacher’s guide to engaging Families and Student Success (2017).
 Who should attend?  Families, community partners and school district personnel
During this FREE conference, families, school administrators, school staff and community agencies involved in family and community engagement will learn about family engagement activities and practices in place regionally as well as having the opportunity to learn from national speaker Dr. Karen Mapp and participate in breakout sessions. 
 Registration is required:  information forthcoming.  For more information or questions, please contact Kathryn Vuchak (kathrynv@sst8.org).
3

 
This month the PAC Meeting will be held February 14, 2018 from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm.  The subject is Recreational Opportunities:  Come hear from a variety of providers who offer recreational programming for persons with special needs and disabilities.  Speakers will be represented from:  
Adaptive Sports Ohio, All Star Training Club, Buddy Up Tennis, Camp Huddle, Empower Sports, Gliding Stars of NEO, Special Olympics of Ohio and Solon Blue Ribbon Programming.
Parents are encouraged to come and connect with a variety of companies that offer fun and meaningful social experiences for their children.  Please plan on joining us, and bring a friend.
If you would like to attend this PAC Meeting, please email Alice Doyle at 330 929-6634 extension 511232 or email her at:   Aliced@sst8.org.  Please RSVP by February 9, 2018.  Lunch will be served to those who RSVP. 
Any questions, please contact Marianne Lesko, PAC Consultant at PAC@sst8.org or call 330 929-6634 extension 513927.
 
State Support Team Region 8 
420 Washington Ave. 
Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44221
330 929-6634
www.sst8.org 
					4