Pre-Kindergarten

In support of developing a High-Quality Prekindergarten program, Marion ISD will develop and implement a comprehensive family engagement plan.  Marion ISD defines family as the adults responsible for the child’s care and children in the child’s life who support the early learning and development of the child.  Our focus on family engagement aims to support the mutual responsibility of families, schools, and communities as we work together to build relationships that support student learning and achievement, family well-being, and the continuous learning and development of children, families, and educators. We strive to ensure family engagement is fully integrated into the child’s educational experience, supports the whole child, and is both culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate.

Marion ISD recognizes that an effective family engagement plan creates a foundation for the collaboration of mutual partners, embraces the individuality and uniqueness of families, and promotes a culture of learning that is child-centered, age-appropriate, and family-driven. The family engagement plan has been designed to support the six components. Below each component are examples of how Marion ISD will encourage and support family engagement.

• Teachers utilize campus website and SeeSaw to share information with families.
• Campus utilizes School Messenger to share information with families.
• Orientation during the initial days of each school year that creates a welcoming space for parents to gather and talk informally with one another before and/or after the event
• “Meet the Teacher” night facilitating family to family interactions

• Campus counselor and CIS counselor can partner families with community resources to assist with short term family guidance and needs
• Partner with Special Programs department to secure interpreters and translations of materials as needed.
• School nurses educate and provide information to families.
• Teachers and other school personnel offer enrichment opportunities with campus community partners including the community first responders, GVEC, local dentist as well as other community groups.

• Campus personnel include prekindergarten families in Parent Teacher Student Organization.
• Campus Site-Based Decision-Making Committee composed of campus staff, community partners, parents, and business representatives focusing on planning, curriculum, budgeting, staff development, overall school organization, all with the intent of improving the achievement of all learners at the campus
• Share strategies with parents on how to advocate for themselves and their children appropriately
• Educate families regarding their rights under State and Federal law regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Analyze family enrollment information so educators can learn about the children in their classrooms from their parents’ perspective and begin mutual goal setting with each family.
• LPAC parent representation
• Regularly held parent/teacher conferences
• Progress monitoring/Report card information is shared with parents encouraging their feedback, questions, and ideas regarding future learning experiences.

• Teachers provide monthly-themed projects and activities for families to complete at home.
• MISD offers a high-quality full day Pre-Kindergarten program to eligible learners, enhancing and extending socialization and facilitating parent involvement for Pre-Kindergarten families
• Teacher/parent conferences held throughout the school year and collaborating with them in setting goals for their children while in the Pre-Kindergarten program
• Encouraging family members to volunteer in the classroom, using the time to foster enhanced communication regarding their child’s development
• Pre-Kindergarten registrations and throughout the summer and school year that include campus tours and school/program information
• Parents are provided with learner progress by way of regular report cards, weekly teacher communication, etc.
• MISD Student Code of Conduct

• Teachers utilize positive behavior support.
• Teachers participate in embedded, ongoing professional learning for language development skills and cultural responsiveness.
• Promoting and developing family engagement as a core strategy to improve teaching and learning among all educators and staff
• Continuous professional development achieved through Early Childhood training opportunities
• Educators will brainstorm and actively seek out ways parents participate/volunteer within the classroom
• Utilize developmentally appropriate activities to help children understand differences in families, cultures and traditions
• Educators will continue training targeting how to support families in crisis
• Utilization of resources available in CLI Engage and Circle Progress Monitoring platforms
• Continuing partnership with the Region 20 Early Childhood team as a means of professional learning, program effectiveness, and practices associated with High Quality PK implementation
• Child Find training for early childhood educators/instructional aides

• MISD will conduct an annual End of Year program evaluation and review of the results will support improvement efforts for the new school year considering all areas of the Family Engagement Plan.
• Incorporating goals related to family engagement into the program/campus strategic planning initiatives
• Utilize the “High Quality Checklist” for Family Engagement Plan provided by Region 20 ESC.
• Utilize the “High Quality Pre-Kindergarten Self-Assessment” instrument created by the TEA to include results indicating strengths, opportunities to grow, and next steps for continuous improvement.
• Teachers and school personnel utilize sign-in sheets to monitor family attendance at events.