With the enactment of the No Child Left Behind legislation, family and community partnerships with schools have become central. Supportive families and social support within communities contribute to students’ success. When children feel valued they are more likely to develop healthy skills, avoid risky behaviors and remain in school. When parents are involved, students achieve more, regardless of socio-economic status, ethnic/racial background, or the parents’ education level. The more extensive the parent involvement, the higher the student achievement. Negative student behaviors, such as bullying and antisocial behavior decrease as parent involvement increases.

School-community partnerships have been shown to contribute to the success of coordinated school educational programs across the country. Communities expect schools and families to prepare students to become successful and productive citizens.

Communities in turn have a responsibility to join with schools and families in support of efforts that can help the school achieve their goals which are to increase student achievement and student enrollment.

The school, the family, and the community each has its own unique resources; each can reach students in ways the others cannot; and each influences young people’s behaviors in different ways. Together, as participants in a coordinated school educational program, we can provide an environment in which students can learn and mature successfully.

The following is how Riverside schools have increased community involvement:

• R2 Schools create a an environment in which parents feel valued and welcome, and that is culturally sensitive, including developing supportive mission and policy statements;
• R2 Schools encourage participation of parents who might have low-level literacy skills and/or from whom English is a second language;
• R2 Schools involve parents and other family members in planning, curriculum and policy development, and decision making related to school health;
• R2 Schools hire and train a family coordinator to act as a liaison between families and schools and coordinate family activities;
• R2 Schools disseminate information on school reforms, policies, discipline procedures, assessment tools, and school goals, and include parents in any related decision-making process
• R2 Schools link parents to programs and resources within the community that provide support services to families, i.e.,
  • create an information and resource center to support families with training, resources, and other services;
  • collaborate with community agencies to provide family support services and adult learning opportunities;
• R2 Schools Staff meet regularly with parents, accommodating the varied schedules of parents, language barriers, and the need for child care;
• R2 Schools encourage immediate contact between parents, teachers, principals, and other administrative staff when concerns arise;
• R2 Schools communicate with parents regarding positive student behavior and achievement, not just regarding misbehavior or failure;
• R2 Schools use creative forms of communication with families that make optimal use of new communication technologies such as our interactive web site;
• R2 Schools encourage parents and students to volunteer and provide ample training on volunteer procedures and school protocol;
• R2 Schools ensure that parents who are unable to volunteer in the school building are given the options for helping other ways;
• R2 Schools enlist community volunteers such as civic advocacy groups, service clubs, religious groups, seniors’ groups, and law enforcement;
• R2 Schools develop partnerships with local businesses and services groups to advance student learning and assist schools and families
• R2 Schools survey parents regarding their interests, talents and availability, then coordinate the parent resources with those that exist within the school and among the faculty

Below you will find resources that will familiarize families and community members on how to assist R2 help build family and community involvement.

How R2 families and students can get involved in improving our schools:

• R2 families can encourage children's healthy behaviors by praising appropriate behaviors and acting as positive role models;
• R2 families can cooperate with schools and others in the community to provide for children's education;
• R2 families can learn about and reinforce the skills and messages in children's education curricula;
• R2 families can communicate with teachers and administrative staff regarding the child’s progress and behavior;
• R2 families can use community resources that provide opportunities for children and other family members to engage in positive social and learning experiences;
• R2 families can participate in any parenting skill courses that may be offered by the school and/or community;
• R2 families can participate in all decision-making regarding school polices;
• R2 families can volunteer in the child’s school by joining the PTA, other parent organization, or parent advisory committee;
• R2 families can vote in school board, override, and bond elections;
• R2 families can advocate for better funding at the local and state levels;
• R2 families can distribute notices and handouts at markets, clinics, community centers, and religious institutions to inform families and other community members about resources and wonderful education their children are receiving at the Riverside School District No.2.

How R2 educational partners and student advocates can get involved to improve the caliber of education offered at Riverside Traditional School and Kings Ridge Prepatory Academy:

• R2 educational partners and student advocates can advocate for rigorous educational programs by speaking at community forums, writing letters to the editors of local newspapers, and updating organizations to which they belong;
• R2 educational partners and student advocates can meet with school personnel to determine what support can be offered to advance the school's or district's educational objectives;
• R2 educational partners and student advocates can serve on a school-community committee such as PTSO;
• R2 educational partners and student advocates can infuse community-based school academic services into the school’s overall school strategic plan;
• R2 educational partners and student advocates can provide mentoring and after-school programs to give children safe havens from violence and alternatives to drugs;
• R2 educational partners and student advocates can provide school-to-work programs that lead to college and/or advanced technical training;
• R2 educational partners and student advocates can provide programs for parents that include academic classes, literacy training, career preparation, early childhood education, children’s health, and assistance in finding helpful services in the community;
• R2 educational partners and student advocates can offer summer learning programs through cultural institutions, parks and recreation, and other public and private agencies; activities might include programs at recreation centers, science and art museums, and libraries;
• R2 educational partners and student advocates can identify appropriate funding sources or raise funds to support the school academic programs;
• R2 educational partners and student advocates can nurture relationships between schools and community organizations that can provide young people with needed physical and mental health services.

How Colleges and Universities can help improve the academic and social services provided to our R2 students, parents, and community:

• Colleges and Universities can help improve the academic and social services by developing infrastructures that support CSHPs, meeting with families and community groups to encourage their support, publicizing innovative models and exemplary programs, and encouraging organizational members and staff to become involved in their children's school health programs;
• Colleges and Universities can help improve the academic and social services provided to our R2 students by adopting supportive position statements, policies, and standards;
• Colleges and Universities can help improve the academic and social services provided to our R2 students by providing educational opportunities that help school personnel, family members, and others in the community work together more effectively;
• Colleges and Universities can help improve the academic and social services provided to our R2 students by encouraging more active family and community involvement by educating members and constituents about academic and community outreach programs at R2;
• Colleges and Universities can help improve the academic and social services provided to our R2 students by developing media campaigns; offering grants; collecting, assessing, and sharing resources that help practitioners network with peers in the community; compiling a directory of consultants experienced in working with young people; or sponsoring conferences and supporting publications to disseminate information about exemplary local, state, and national initiatives.