Family Engagement Plan

We believe middle school can be the most exciting part of a child’s education. At Battle Creek Middle, teachers not only teach students, but partner with them and their families to provide encouragement and inspiration. 

The Family Engagement Plan (FEP) is organized into four impact areas. We will be working together this year to build positive and goal-oriented relationships in each area. Families and staff at school developed this plan together.

Welcoming Environment

Our school has staff member(s) available for families to discuss this plan and ask questions.

Family Liaison:	See Vang
Social Workers:	Carrie Johnson, Heather Fretty, and Katherine Gorham
Counselors:	Kim Rinehart, Kia Yang, and Nimol Ou
Administration:	Oulia Yang, Melissa Kuhl-Schuehle, and Teng Lo

Our school communicates with families in many ways.

• We have an active presence on social media: Facebook and Instagram. Our school newsletter is available bi-weekly on Facebook, Instagram and on BCMS website. Parents may also receive the newsletter via email. We utilize email, Finalsite Connect voice/email/text to transmit information. Teachers reach out through phone calls, email, and notes home. Check our website to keep up to date.    
• We do our best to respond within 24 hours to all communication. Families can always set up meetings with staff and teachers by calling 651-293-8960. When requested, we will do our best to provide translators. 
• Families can monitor attendance and grades through Parent Portal and Schoology. 
• BCMS will provide opportunities for families to gather and communicate    

The achievement gap, or rather the “opportunity gap,” between students of color and white students in Saint Paul Public Schools is unacceptable. Our school is working to change practices and systems by identifying the barriers that make it harder for students of color to succeed and for their families to support their learning.

• For more about our work on racial equity, contact: Oulia Yang, Principal
• Melisa Kuhl-Schuehle: 7th Grade Assistant Principal, PBIS, Leadership, Safety Team Lead
• Teng Lo: 8th Grade Assistant Principal: PBIS, Leadership, Intervention Specialists

Transitions between schools can be challenging, and we work to help families as their children start and leave our school. For new students and families, we support the transition by:

• Fall Open House for the entire school community, with special attention paid to incoming students (welcome information, meet the staff, get information regarding after school program, Sports, and Title 1 information). 
• If parents/guardians missed the Open House, they can schedule a walk through with the Family Liaison anytime by calling 651-293-8960 for an appointment.
• Counselor visits to feeder elementary schools, elementary students are invited to tour BCMS. Eighth graders visit high schools, and have alumni return to speak. 
• Incoming Student Registration Night in April for new students coming to BCMS.

For students and families moving to the next school in their pathway, we support the transition by: 

• Classroom visits from BCMS graduates and offering tours to Harding and Johnson. 
• Posts up SPPS high school Open House for students to visit

Family Partnerships

Our school-parent compact establishes the shared responsibility for student success between the school, families, and students. Families and teachers work together to develop the compact. 

• Copies of the compact are available: In the office, online, on display in the building. They are also available for students to take home in September. 
• The Compact will be updated annually in the Spring. 

There are many opportunities for families to build connections to the school and to each other.

• Title I Annual Meeting, we will share information about school programs and how the school funds are allocated.
• Regular events, evening and morning times offered throughout the year and materials are made available during this time. 
• National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) will be on February 10, 2025, Asian New Year Celebration in February, Asian American Pacific Islander Celebration in May, Music Department Showcase, 8th Grade Celebration, 5K Fun Run, Talent Show, BCMS Flipside Showcase, and History Day Showcase.
• Parents and guardians are invited to chaperone BCMS field trips, spectate athletic competitions, participate in athletic events, and attend all parent meetings.
• Conferences: We will invite community resource liaisons to be on hand during conferences.
• There are 7 staff in the building who have been trained in home visit through the PTHV (Parent Teacher Home Visit Program) who are available to go to the home as needed. 

We work to make these meetings and events available for every family in the school.

• During the three parent/teacher conferences, interpreters will be available to help families understand their student’s academic progress. Important information will be translated into our most used primary languages. Family Engagement information will be translated as well, and in the event, it isn’t, families can request information to be translated at any time. 
• Transportation and interpreters will be offered for all on-site meetings. Snacks and beverages will be provided for family engagement meetings.
• Both translated Finalsite Mass Notification (formerly Blackboard Connect) phone calls and flyers will be available. 

Our school supports families as advocates and provides opportunities for parent leadership

• BCMS will hold breakout sessions for iUpdate, Parent Portal, and Schoology during open house. We will actively seek family input into the effectiveness of these communication tools. 
• Families are invited 3 times a year to share information about their students progress and get updates about the school. 
• Parents and guardians can volunteer to judge History Day submissions and other academic competitions. 
• The Family Liaison will provide professional development created in conjunction with BCMS families at one staff meeting and will share updates at Leadership Team Meetings. 
• Families will be invited to add input into school improvement planning via surveys and open discussion meetings at Family Nights and other on-site meetings.  

Teaching and Learning

Our school shares information about state standards, assessment and student achievement with families in multiple ways:

• Report cards and progress reports will be available on Parent Portal and at conferences.
• Parent-Teacher conferences are held three times a year, quarter 1, 2, and 3. 
• Grade-specific Family Nights, Parent Portal, iUpdate, and Schoology assistance evenings. 
• Family Forum meetings specific to Title One requirements: FEP and SCIP and Compact. We will actively seek parent/guardian feedback and suggestions.  

Our school will engage in personalized learning as a key strategy to accelerate student achievement. Parents can get more information using many tools.

• Parent log-in information can be accessed at spps.org/onestop or by asking the school clerk
• iPads - will offer tutorial in the fall
• Schoology– information shared at Open House, Orientation, Conferences, and on the website. 

Many before- and after-school enrichment and support opportunities are available for students

• Athletics 
• AVID
• Flipside (with many classes offered)
• WEB Leadership 
• Dare2BReal 
• Genius Squad 

Community Partnerships

Our school develops community partnerships to provide additional support for students and their families

• 3M
• Every Meal (weekend meal program) 
• TRIO
• Marvelous Mitten Makers
• The Panther Pantry (hygiene supplies students can access for free)
• Focus Minnesota  

This plan is available as part of our school’s SCIP, or School Comprehensive Improvement Plan at spps.org/scip. Printed copies are available in the office.