Family Engagement Plan

Our school has staff member(s) available for families to discuss this plan and ask questions:

• School Family Engagement Coordinator, Carlottia Ruff.

Our school communicates with families in many ways, including:

• At Washington, you’ll be greeted by Washington Staff who reflect the diversity of our school community and will do their best to help you as efficiently as possible.
• Look for monthly Washington newsletters sent to our families via email, which can be found at our website.
• Information on our calendar of events and school activities can be found at our website
•  Information on specific classes can be found on our teacher pages on the school website or Schoology.

The achievement gap, or rather the “opportunity gap,” between students of color and white students in Saint Paul Public Schools is unacceptable. Our school is working to change practices and systems by identifying the barriers that make it harder for students of color to succeed and for their families to support their learning. 

• Specific activities, such as the Washington Family Nights, will be implemented to encourage more families' participation, especially families from underserved populations. Fall, Winter and Spring
• Instructional strategies designed to increase student achievement for all students and close the achievement gap can be found in our School Continuous Improvement Plan (SCIP).

Transitions between schools can be challenging, and we work to help families as their children start and leave our school. 

For new students and families, we support the transition by:

• Tours are available throughout the year for newly enrolled families, as well as prospective families. 
• We host a fall Open House during the week prior to the start of school. This event allows families to meet their child’s new teacher, visit the classroom and receive important information.
• Families with students in our pre-K  program have an opportunity in the spring to visit Kindergarten on our PreK Family Day. Families participate in a group discussion to talk about strategies for supporting the transition and grade level learning at home.

For students and families moving to the next school in their pathway, we support the transition by: 

• Inviting parents of incoming students to a New Student Orientation on August 28th, 2025.
• We welcome prospective parents and students to visit our school during our Open House on August 28th, 2025.
• Washington Counselors will visit fifth-grade classrooms to discuss the transition to middle school in the Spring of 2026. 
• Welcoming incoming sixth graders and their parents to a New Student Registration Night Date To Be Determined.

Our school-parent compact establishes the shared responsibility for student success between the school, families, and students. Families and teachers work together to develop the compact.

• Copies of the compact are available upon request and on our website.
• The compact is updated each spring.

There are many opportunities for families to build connections to the school and to each other.

• The Title I Annual Meeting, where we will share information about school programs, will be held in conjunction with our Fall Family Night on August 28th, 2025.
• Volunteer - We welcome and value parent volunteers to support school events, activities, field trips, and surveys.
• Site Council Member -Our team of teachers, staff, parents, principals, and others from our school community works together once a month to help our school be successful. Meets monthly on Friday mornings 7:30 am - 8:00 am: 9/26, 10/24, 11/21, 12/19, 1/6, 2/27, 3/27, 4/24, 5/22
• Parent Advisory Council (PAC) - Latino Consent Decree (LCD) Program family nights

We work to make these meetings and events available for every family in the school.

• We have staff members who speak Hmong, Karen, Somali, and Spanish; contact them through the school office.
• We utilize Language Line and translated mass communication tools to reach more families. 
• Conferences can be scheduled with teachers during the school day, before school, after school, and on certain evenings.

Our school supports families as advocates and provides opportunities for parent leadership.

• Parents are encouraged to contact their children’s teachers if they are having difficulties in school.  If they are still having difficulties, contact the grade-level counselor or administrator.
• Through our Equity Work and Professional Development, Washington staff are trained to work with students and families from various racial and cultural backgrounds, such as Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM) community partners.
• Parents are informed of and provide input for our improvement efforts, including our School Continuous Improvement Plan (SCIP), through our Leadership Team meetings and surveys.

Family Nights provide the foundation of parents’ information and skills for becoming more involved in our school.

• Family Night will be held three times this year for families and will be offered in multiple languages at Washington.Regular Latino Family Nights with sessions on topics of interest to parents, including school and community information. Dates To Be Determined.

Our school shares information about student achievement with families in multiple ways:

• Parents can look at Schoology to see students’ grades and assignments.
• Progress reports are available online through CAMPUS every month
• Parents are invited to attend Parent-Teacher Conferences to learn about their student’s academic progress and goals for the school year.  They will also receive information about what their child is learning in each of their classes.
• Parent-Teacher Conferences

  • Fall Conferences: Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 4 - 7 pm & Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 4 -7 pm

  • Spring Conferences: Thursday, Mar 5, 2026 4 - 7 pm & Tuesday, Mar 10, 2026 4 - 7 pm

Our school will engage in personalized learning as a key strategy to accelerate student achievement.  Families can get more information using many tools.

• Each WTMS student will be issued a school iPad.  Lost, stolen, or damaged iPads should be reported to their foundation teacher or school technology tech lead. 
• Schoology is available for all parents to use. Information and support for using this are available at the Parent Teacher Conference Events.

Many before- and after-school enrichment and support opportunities are available for students.

• All students at Washington Middle School have the opportunity to join either program. 

Our school develops community partnerships to provide additional support for students and their families:

Washington partners with the following Community Organizations to work with students and parents to promote engagement and academic achievement

• American Red Cross
• Como Park Zoo                 
• Dental Clinic (services available at school)
• Health Start Clinic (health services available at school)
• Hmong American Partnership
• Karen Organization of Minnesota
• Keystone Community Services
• League of Women Voters
• Legal Rights Center
• Metropolitan State and UW River Falls Upward Bound
• Minnesota Science Museum 
• Minnesota Visiting Nurses Association 
• North End Business Association (community involvement)
• Rice Street Athletic Council
• Sanneh Foundation (academic support)
• St. Paul Parks and Recreation 
• St. Paul Public Library     
• Thad Wilderson and Associates (mental health support)
• TU Dance Company
• Washington High School 50+ Club
• Wilder Foundation (mental health)
• 3M