Family Engagement in Schools Made Sustainable: A Year‑Round Approach

For many schools, “family engagement” means an open house in September and conferences twice a year. A family engagement plan for schools goes much further. It organizes the entire year so families stay informed and involved, even when they can’t come to the building.

In this guide, you’ll learn what a family engagement plan is, how to build a year-round approach for schools, and how digital tools can make the plan realistic for staff and accessible for all families.

Quick answer: What is a family engagement plan for schools?

A family engagement plan for schools is a written roadmap that explains how the school will communicate with families, how families can give input and participate, and how the school will support families who can’t attend in person or don’t speak English. It moves from one-off events to a consistent, year-round strategy.

What is a family engagement plan in schools?

A family engagement plan:

• Sets goals for communication and collaboration with families
  
  
• Identifies key points in the year when families need extra support
  
  
• Describes communication channels (app, website, email, printed notices)
  
  
• Names who is responsible for which tasks
  
  
• Explains how the school will measure success
  
  

Instead of random activities, you get a coherent plan that aligns with student learning goals and the realities of families’ schedules.

How can schools create a year-round family engagement plan?

One simple framework is to think in four phases: before school starts, fall, winter, and spring.

1. Before school starts: Welcome and onboarding

Goals:

• Make every family feel expected and welcomed.
  
  
• Explain how communication will work during the year.
  
  

Actions:

• Send a welcome series of messages:
  
  
  • Introduction from the principal
    
    
  • “What to expect in the first month” guide
    
    
  • How to download and use the school’s app or access the website
    
    
• Host at least one virtual welcome session for families who can’t attend in person.
  
  
• Share a “Who to contact for what” guide in multiple languages.
  
  

Your school website and family app should act as the home base for these resources so families can find them again easily.

2. Fall: Build trust and routines

Goals:

• Establish predictable communication.
  
  
• Show that school only contacts families about more than just problems.
  
  

Actions:

• Share weekly or bi-weekly schoolwide updates through the app and website:
  
  
  • Upcoming events and deadlines
    
    
  • Classroom highlights
    
    
  • Reminders and resources
    
    
• Encourage teacher-level updates:
  
  
  • Brief notes about what students are learning
    
    
  • Photos or examples of student work (with appropriate permissions)
    
    

Give teachers ready-made templates and an easy way to post through your communication platform, such as a SOLVED-powered app.

3. Winter: Deepen partnerships with families

Goals:

• Support learning at home.
  
  
• Give families meaningful opportunities to share feedback.
  
  

Actions:

• Offer family learning sessions (in-person or virtual) on topics like:
  
  
  • Understanding report cards or progress reports
    
    
  • Helping with reading and math at home
    
    
  • Digital citizenship and online safety
    
    
• Share recordings and translated materials through your school website and app for families who can’t attend live.
  
  
• Collect feedback with short, translated surveys on how well communication is working.
  
  

4. Spring: Reflect and plan for next year

Goals:

• Celebrate shared accomplishments.
  
  
• Gather input to improve next year’s engagement plan.
  
  

Actions:

• Share a “year in review” with family and student voices.
  
  
• Run a family engagement survey with questions about:
  
  
  • Feeling welcome at school
    
    
  • Ease of getting information
    
    
  • Suggestions for next year
    
    
• Use your data tools (like SOLVED’s dashboards) to review:
  
  
  • Attendance at events
    
    
  • App logins and message open rates
    
    
  • Survey responses by grade and language group
    
    

This information feeds directly into next year’s family engagement plan.

What are effective family engagement strategies beyond open house?

High-impact strategies include:

• Sharing student work regularly
  Short updates with photos, videos, or brief reflections help families see what students are doing, not just grades.
  
  
• Micro-engagements
  Quick polls or “question of the week” prompts families to share their thoughts without long meetings.
  
  
• Flexible participation options
  Record important sessions, share slides, and offer call-in options for busy or working caregivers.
  
  
• Family leadership roles
  Invite families to co-design events, serve on advisory councils, or help welcome new families.
  
  

Digital tools don’t replace relationships, but they remove barriers so more families can be part of school life.

How do we know if our family engagement plan is working?

To evaluate your family engagement plan for schools, track:

• Event attendance (in-person and virtual)
  
  
• App logins and notification open rates
  
  
• Survey participation by grade and language
  
  
• Chronic absenteeism and late arrival trends
  
  
• Participation in key opportunities (PTA, workshops, conferences)
  
  

Using SOLVED’s apps, websites, and Data+ dashboards, school leaders can see all of these indicators in one place. You can identify which strategies are working, where there are gaps, and how to adjust your plan over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do schools need a family engagement plan?

A written plan ensures that communication and engagement are intentional, consistent, and equitable. It helps schools move beyond one-time events to ongoing relationships with families.

How often should schools communicate with families?

Many schools find success with weekly or bi-weekly updates, plus timely reminders for important events or deadlines. The key is consistency, clarity, and using channels that families actually check.

How can digital tools support family engagement?

A school website and family app can centralize announcements, calendars, forms, and resources. When paired with translation and accessible design, they help more families stay informed and involved.

What if many families can’t attend events in person?

Offer virtual or hybrid options, record important sessions, share materials afterward, and provide ways for families to submit questions or feedback before and after events.

How should schools measure family engagement?

Use a mix of quantitative data (attendance, app usage, survey response rates) and qualitative feedback (family comments, focus groups) to understand how families experience communication and engagement.

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