Schools Engaging Families
April 2025
Introducing our New Logo!
We are excited to share with you the new PaTTAN Schools Engaging Families logo!
In Fall 2024, PaTTAN's Family Engagement initiative changed our name to SCHOOLS ENGAGING FAMILIES, to reinforce the concept that the responsibility for developing and enhancing partnerships with families and school communities lies with schools, per IDEA.
PaTTAN is here to help schools with customized supports on your family-school-community partnerships.
Check out our webpage, found on the PaTTAN website - Collaborative Partnerships (one of four PA Bureau of Special Education's pillars) - Schools Engaging Families, or click HERE.
Quick, Easy Solutions to Teach Grade-Level Content Standards to Students with Significant Cognitive Learning Needs
Educators, are you looking for quick, easy solutions to bridge grade-level content standards to academic expectations for students with the most significant learning needs? Look no more!
PA Standards Aligned Instruction and PA Dynamic Learning Maps (PA DLM) is a comprehensive system of content, instructional resources, and professional development. PaTTAN's PASA-DLM team of highly-qualified consultants are available to guide you through Essential Elements (EEs) in English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, and more for your students. Check out these resources.
PaTTAN - Standards Aligned Instruction and PA Dynamic Learning Maps (PA DLM)
Download PASA DLM Essential Elements - SAS
You can obtain further assistance by completing a Customized Professional Development and Technical Assistance Request.
Attention Adult Siblings, or Anyone Thought of Like a Sibling!
Educators, please share this opportunity with families:
Join the Sibling Good Life Group, virtually, on Monday, April 28, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. for an interactive, hands-on event. The session is sponsored by Vision for Equality/PA Family Network and gives adult siblings the opportunity to network, learn, share their lived experience, problem-solve, and plan for a future of true potential for them and their family.
Join the Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/NL7OCmNHROedo2ylHCHBqA
Patricia's Weinzapfel's Pointers on Communication
Invite Questions
After a presentation or conversation, it’s a good idea to check for understanding and invite questions. You may want to pull a few parents aside for some feedback. But try not to say” Do you have any questions?” That approach can be a bit off-putting. Parents may feel like they should have questions, or like they’re not smart if they don’t. Instead, take a softer approach, “I’m sure I didn’t do a good job explaining that...did it all make sense?” or “Are we good?” A softer approach can open the door for communication. If parents don’t ask questions, you can also say, “I was working with a parent last week who asked ...” That can often “grease the wheel” when it comes to discussions.
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Strike a Partnership Tone
All day long, we educators are responsible for the students in our care.
At a basic level, it’s our job to keep them safe. Beyond that, we spend the majority of our day saying things like, “Your homework is due tomorrow,” or “Remember, we walk on the right side of the hallway,” and “Here’s the formula for the equation.” In other words, we’re in charge.
It’s easy to see how this same “teacher” communication style might slip into conversations with families. The only truly symmetrical or equal form of communication is dialogue, where there is a real exchange of ideas.
So, when you sit down to start writing an email, send a text, or make a phone call, be sure to exchange your figurative “teacher hat” for your “partner hat.”
Patricia's Pointers are weekly emails with short, easy-to-use school-home communication tips.
Camp InsPirAtion
A fun, activity-packed day camp for children and youth, ages 4-21 (includes siblings.) Campers will have a blast, while their parent(s) network and engage in conference sessions.
Computer Science Camp Code Arcade
High school youth, come explore pathways to computer science college and career options through activities, field trips, and a game design project. Space is limited.
National PTA's POWER IN UNITY VIRTUAL CONVENTION 2025
Join the National PTA virtually June 25-28, 2025 to unite your voice with thousands of passionate parent leaders and educators from across the country as we celebrate and energize the PTA mission.
Convention will feature facilitated networking time, live business and voting, and a general education session on emerging issues facing our children and youth. Register here.
