This document outlines many ways to create a family friendly school environment, including welcoming signage at the entrance, a friendly school office, designated waiting areas, displays of student work, clean facilities, and resources for families like a family resource center, library, and cafeteria that allows families to eat together. It emphasizes the importance of clear communication, recognizing students and families, and providing opportunities for families to be involved through activities, meetings, and interactive homework assignments.

1. Creating Family Friendly Schools

2. Entering the Community Provide signs to direct visitors to the school

3. Signs for the School Building

4. Clearly Marked Parking for Visitors Clearly Marked Handicapped Parking Designated Parking Spaces

5. Entrance Welcoming Outside Entrance Welcoming Signs Welcoming Signs at the School Entrance

6. Welcome to Our School Greeter to Direct and Welcome Visitors Signs Direct Visitors Signs Welcome Families

7. Communication and Recognition Reusable Monthly Calendars Whiteboards with Daily Messages Recognition of Students and Families

9. In-Service Training

10. Office Hours Posted

11. Maps of BuildingOffice is Near Entrance No Barrier Between Families and Staff Counters are Family Friendly VIP- Very Important Parent/Guest

13. Sofa

14. Plants

15. Reading Materials

17. Seeks feedback

18. Coffee with the principal offered

21. Degrees

23. Displays of Population Served Resources for Military Families

24. School is Clean and Inviting Clean Bathrooms Inviting Hallways Benches Made by Principal and Parents

25. Character Education Special Hallway Signs Responsibility Encouragement Continue to Reinforce Kindness and Acceptance

26. Signs Uniformed Signage Room Number, Teacher’s Name and Subject Post Academic Standards and Course of Study

28. Positive Phone Calls and Postcards

29. E-mails

30. Teacher Webpages

31. Welcome Chair

32. Adult Sized Chairs

33. No Barrier Between Parents and Teacher During Conferences

34. Parent Bulletin BoardColorful and Friendly Communication with Families

35. School Spirit School Mascot on Signs School Colors Throughout School Walkway with School’s Team Name School Spirit Store

36. Alumni Distinguished Alumni Hall of Achievement Include a Link on School’s Website for Alumni Create Ways to Keep Alumni Connected to the School

37. Family Resource Center Books Educational Materials Resources

38. Educational Resources Comfortable Space for Families Parenting Resources for Families Computer Access for Families

39. Resource Area in a Hallway Portable Resource Area for Parents Resource Area in High School Alcove Portable Display Resource Area in Alcove of Jr./Sr. HS

40. Family Resource Room Community Agency

42. Computer Access

43. Parents and Students Together

45. Auditorium/Atrium Auditorium is Comfortable and Handicapped Accessible Atrium is Used for Open House, Multicultural Fairs and Other Community Events

46. Cafeteria Warm & Inviting Friendly Staff Nutrition Leads to Student Achievement Parents and Students Enjoy Lunch Together

47. Interactive Homework Assignments Holiday Decorations to Represent Child’s Family TIPS: Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork

48. Family Friendly Meeting Rooms Staff Photos

49. Friendly Signs Welcome Bags Leaving the Building

50. Resources www.nyspirc.org www.familyfriendlyschools.org www.partnershipschools.org www.csos.jhu.edu/P2000/tips/index.htm www.knowhow2go.org (This presentation was adapted from www.familyfriendlypartnershipschools.org)

51. www.nyspirc.org What Can You Do?