Best Practices: Building relationships, Using Creativity to Engage Families in SAC
Building a School Advisory Council—or any family/community group for that matter—takes a lot of work. SACs include all stakeholders: family members, students, teachers/school-based staff, community members, and the principal. Some schools are using creative strategies to make sure that all of these important stakeholders are at the table for SAC.
We interviewed Family Engagement Liaison David Chaney about his work to support the SAC at Edward T. Steel School in the Hunting Park neighborhood of North Philadelphia.
Focus on FACE: What strategies have you implemented as a Liaison to assist Steel in building a SAC?
David Chaney: Building relationships with the “regulars,” those parents who are always in the school volunteering or have concerns. I made them my priority because they have power to get other parents involved. I also asked staff members who they would recommend for SAC.
FoF: What are some creative strategies that Principal Dennis or other SAC members have used to build their SAC and keep members coming back?
DC: It was Principal Dennis’s suggestion that we offer SAC meetings as a professional development for teachers and staff that join and/or attend the meetings. I suggested that in the case of students, let's offer them extra credit for participating.
FoF: What does the SAC discuss at meetings?
DC: The issues that matter most; and right now that is safety and climate and recruiting parents for school involvement. These are definitely tough topics to discuss but everyone is given an equal opportunity to express their opinion. But the SAC meeting is also a place where solutions are developed from working together and acknowledging those critical issues.
FoF: As a Liaison, what advice would you give to schools that are trying to start a SAC?
DC: Work with what you have until you get where you want. No SAC grows overnight; it takes time and patience, but everyone has to be held accountable for their roles and responsibilities. Be passionate about SAC, because when parents and the community see that you are genuine about changing the school for the better, they will be on board.
