Schools Engaging Families
SUMMER 2026 Edition
The PaTTAN East office is relocating to Audubon (Norristown), Pennsylvania on June 1. We are excited for the move to an easily-accessible office park, within a few miles from King of Prussia.
Our NEW address:
2500 Monroe Blvd, Suite 110
Norristown, PA 19403
Phone: (610) 265-7321
Toll Free: (800) 441-3215
Please note, the printed publications ordering service will be temporarily unavailable while we move. Publications are still available for viewing and downloading. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
School Team Scholarships
Preschool, school, district, intermediate unit, approved private schools, and career and technical education centers can apply for scholarships to attend the conference.
Family Scholarships
Family Scholarships (full, partial, and virtual) are available to qualified Pennsylvania residents who have children (birth through 21) who receive early intervention or special education services.
Pre-Service Teacher & Other Educational Degree Scholarships
Individuals pursuing a bachelor's, graduate, or postgraduate degree in education can apply for scholarships to attend the conference.
From Evidence to Action June 16-18 (Virtual)
The 2026 PaTTAN Literacy Symposium: Evidence to Action is a premier professional learning event that brings together leading national and state-level literacy researchers in the field of the science of reading, structured literacy, and reading instruction and intervention, along with classroom teachers who have successfully implemented structured literacy approaches.
Engaging Families in the IEP Process: A Guide for Schools
The PaTTAN Publication, Engaging Families in the IEP Process: A Guide for Schools, provides action steps to actively engage, not simply involve, families and students in the IEP process, beyond the annual meeting. When all team members are engaged, students achieve better grades, higher test scores, and increased graduation rates. A family-friendly explanation of each section of the IEP is included, as well as considerations and conversation starters for use at the IEP team meeting.
It's not just a guide for schools--it's a great way to engage families. Share it with them!
Reimagining Open House: Connecting Families, Inspiring Learning, Building Community
Engaging families to take an active role and sometimes even a leading role in the planning and design of a school Open House or similar event is essential for making the event impactful. A collaborative approach between educators and families increases trust and transparency.
When schools shift the focus beyond logistics to interactive learning experiences and community-building opportunities, Open House becomes a more meaningful event that supports student success through collaboration with families. Learn more from Family Engagement Expert, Maria Paredes.
Adapted from Patricia Weinzapfel's, "Patricia's Pointers"
Take a Cue from Man's Best Friend
If you’ve ever spent time around a dog, you know they are experts in using their body language to communicate. When dogs are really concentrating on something or are intently interested in something, they will often tilt their heads.
Believe it or not, if we do the same thing, if we tilt our heads during a conversation, we can also convey that we are really listening and really interested. We can also convey that we are friendly, open, curious, and approachable. And that can make all the difference in a conversation with a parent, family members, and friends.
Here's a good tip for end-of-year meetings and those at the start of the new school year:
Check for Understanding
Think about a time when you were in a meeting or a professional development program where you didn’t understand something. If so, did you speak out and say so? Probably not. And if not, why didn't you?
I’ll take a guess that you were embarrassed, fearful of looking clueless, or intimidated; maybe you figured that if you continued to listen, you’d eventually catch on. It happens to all of us. Maybe for you, it happens when you talk to someone at your bank, maybe it happens when you meet with your doctor. It's a horrible feeling. But even though it feels bad, and we tell ourselves there are no "stupid" questions, we don't want to put ourselves out there.
Families don't either. Most will not admit they don't understand something. So it's up to us to constantly check in with them and make sure they do understand.
(Resources shared with permission from Patricia Weinzapfel)
Maintain Your Main Character Energy: The ABCs of Well‑Being
New! Keep the vibes right in the halls, in the classroom, and everywhere in between. This self-assessment — The ABCs of Well‑Being — will help students reflect honestly about three things that matter every day: Agency (their voice and choices), Belonging (feeling accepted for who they are), and Connectedness (having people and activities that support them).
SHARE THIS PaTTAN PUBLICATION WITH YOUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES!
Fun, Relaxing Summer Activities for Educators' and Students' Families
The PaTTAN Schools Engaging Families initiative believes that joy should be barrier free. The attached
document, SUMMER OF JOY: Accessible Adventures in Pennsylvania, is designed to introduce families to some accessible and sensory-friendly activities (most free) across Pennsylvania this summer. Share it with families before school is out, share it with friends and neighbors, and enjoy these resources with your own family!
(PaTTAN is not endorsing any of these sites and cannot guarantee the fidelity of accessibility of these establishments.)