A Letter to Our Readers: The West Virginia Family Engagement Center is committed to enhancing family engagement in West Virginia schools. Our Program Directors and team of Family Engagement Specialists are grateful for the ongoing work and commitment of our participating counties and schools to support family engagement efforts, despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our SEAMless approach to family engagement ensures that family-school partnerships remain a key focus of our statewide family engagement center program, and that school, family, and student voice are elevated throughout both the planning and implementation of our programming. This SEAMless approach to family engagement in West Virginia schools creates a culture of strong families, and ultimately, stronger students. - Assistant Director, Meaghan Cochrane, Ph.D. |
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Our Mission The West Virginia Family Engagement Center engages families, educators, and community members in the educational process to enhance student academic achievement. WVFEC is partnering with families to provide SEAMless Family Engagement that: - Supports learning and development.
- Encourages positive self image and a "can do" spirit in WV youth.
- Advocates for improved learning opportunities at WV schools.
- Models lifelong learning and enthusiasm for education.
In this newsletter, we'll cover: - School Spotlight: East Bank Middle School
- Partner Spotlight: West Virginia 211
- Upcoming events: Strong Families Webinar Series
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March School Spotlight East Bank Middle School, Kanawha County |
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"We look forward to opening our Family Engagement Center for students and families as soon as possible. This space will not only be used academically, but also for school spirit and incentives for positive behavior too. Our hope is that this Family Engagement Makerspace Center will become financially independent through the sale of items such as school branded coffee cups, water bottles, t-shirts, hats, and 3D figures." - Amy Miller, East Bank Middle School Assistant Principal |
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The motto at East Bank Middle School is Excellence is Our Expectation. They are certainly on their way to offering excellent opportunities for students and families at the school with their new Family Engagement Makerspace Center! In a partnership with the West Virginia Family Engagement Center, East Bank Middle School is developing ways to foster enhanced relationships with students and families by creating a high-tech center that will support academics, athletics, and family engagement at the school. It also has the potential to incentivize positive behavior and spark the entrepreneurial spirit of the community. Over the last few months, the pieces of the of the plan have been coming together and the school is quickly getting things set up in a dedicated space for student use this spring. |
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The Family Engagement Makerspace Center will include sketch printers – along with certification training for some staff and students, a Cricut machine, and a heat press. The options are abounding, and the hope of the school is that the Family Engagement Makerspace Center will become financially self-sustaining through the sale of school-branded spirit items. In addition to the makerspace, East Bank Middle School has an encompassing family engagement plan that encourages literacy and numeracy and gives much-needed attention to student mental health. If you have questions, contact Amy Miller, Assistant Principal. ajmiller@k12.wv.us |
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Upcoming events and more information can be found on East Bank Middle School’s website. If you have questions, contact Amy Miller, Assistant Principal. |
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March Partner Spotlight West Virginia 211 |
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We are here to connect individuals to resources that will better their families, not only today but in the future. - Delaney Laughery, West Virginia 211 State Director |
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211 is the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services. From hello to help, we're here for you. Here at West Virginia 211 we are able to connect families to many resources that bring hope to different seasons of life. We have resources for basic needs and for more challenging needs of families. We want to bring hope to those family members who are worried about making ends meet. Our most impactful moments are when we get to be the hope that someone needs. Sometimes that person needs more than an internet search, they need a real live voice on the other end of the line. They need a conversation. Help starts for hundreds of people every day when they simply dial 211. |
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Upcoming Events Strong Families Online Learning Series These 30-minute webinars help parents and caregivers support their student's learning at school and in the home. |
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Engaging in Learning through Family-School Partnership March 15, 5pm EST Description: Engaging in your child's learning is a key component to their academic success. This webinar will explore key strategies and best practices from family engagement leaders and a director of statewide family engagement programming related to building and strengthening family-school partnership. |
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How to Monitor Students' Device Use March 16, 1pm EST This webinar will explore recent technologies and practices for monitoring students’ device use. Key strategies and best practices, as well as a recently graduated student perspective will be presented. |
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Strategies for Successful Remote Learning March 17, 4pm EST This webinar will explore ways in which you can successfully set up your home for successful remote learning. Key strategies and best practices, as well as a parent/caregiver perspective will be presented. |
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Helping to Build Parent/Caregiver Confidence March 19, 12pm EST During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents and caregivers have been taking on new roles during school closures. This webinar will explore key strategies and best practices from family engagement leaders and a former classroom teacher related to building parent/caregiver confidence. |
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Staying Calm as a Family March 22, 12pm EST The COVID-19 pandemic has caused uncertainty, anxiety, and stress to rise among students, families, and schools. This webinar will explore key strategies and best practices from family engagement leaders and a director of statewide family engagement programming related to mental health, trauma, and social-emotional learning in West Virginia schools. |
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Digital Learning and Technology Resources March 23, 5pm EST This webinar will explore key strategies and best practices from family engagement leaders and the West Virginia Department of Education related to the use of digital learning and technology within the home. |
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Get the latest WVFEC news via our social channels! | |
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