Families-a way to build community

Lea Van Ness, Judy Kennedy and Leslie PowellCAIS-Head Royce School

Who is here as a first time teacher wanting to build

community in their school?

Who is here as a team interested in integrating a

community program into your school?

How many of you are administrators looking

to include a way to build a more cohesive

community?

What is it?

Our goal is to help you launch this program at your

school

Benefits of FamiliesA way to build community in the lower school

5th grade leadership opportunities

Strengthen connections and creates a bond amongst students that wouldn’t normally exist

Helps students feel a sense of belonging in a smaller group within the larger group

Introduces traditions that students look forward to annually

Where did Families come from?

Desire to establish whole school community

Originated about 18 years ago

Evolved to include:

community service

multiculturalism/diversity

character education

How does it work?

Supervisor plus committee

Student body is divided into cross grade level groups K-5 (about 14 students per group)

Families meet six times a year

Families don’t change year to year

Aches and PainsWhen you do meet as a Family what do you do

Hard for kindergarteners

Sense of commitment to the program buy-in

Continuity in each Family

Project based can be difficult

Needs a purpose

Community service

Redefined Families

Character Education

Purpose is clear

Flexible curriculum

Reflection

AttributesHonestyRespectCourageJusticeLoyalty

Kindness Campaign

Kindness to selfKindness to others

Kindness to the environmentKindness to the community

Kindness to the world

Random Acts of Kindness

Random Acts of Kindness

Making a Difference

Making a difference to self

Making a difference with others

Making a difference in the community

Making a difference in the world

How could you integrate Families?

Hidden curriculum exists

Health

Ecoliteracy

Service learning

Character education

Multiculturalism