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Welcome to the home of National Parental Involvement Day & Public School Volunteer Week!
Build Your Family Engagement Plan
See how schools like Peabody Middle used Project Appleseed’s resources to drive change—and learn how your school can too.
Inspiring Change at Peabody Middle School
In the bustling corridors of Peabody Middle School, change was in the air. The School Improvement Committee, charged with enhancing family engagement, had eagerly taken on the challenge of developing a comprehensive Family Engagement Plan. Armed with Project Appleseed's tools and resources, they began their journey to strengthen the bond between school and family.
Their team of parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and community members gathered in the library, using the 10 Step Family Engagement Plan as their guide. With insights from parents and strategies from educators, they crafted a plan that aligned with district goals and community needs.
While schools are often trained in family engagement practices, this training frequently assumes there’s already an eager audience of parents ready to participate. But real-world experience tells a different story. What’s often missing is a strategic effort to actively recruit hard-to-reach families and warmly invite them into the process.
One simple, powerful method? Ask parents to pledge their involvement—on paper. This modest yet meaningful act creates a bridge from passive interest to genuine engagement.
The Peabody committee reviewed powerful tools from Project Appleseed's Family Engagement Toolbox:
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The Red Carpet Treatment guide
These resources helped Peabody Middle increase parent participation, improve communication, and build a deep sense of trust.
Want Results Like Peabody?
✅ Ready to Build Your Own Family Engagement Plan? Access the Family Engagement Toolbox
✅ Want Hands-On Guidance for Your School Team? Book Our Workshops and Training
The Family Engagement Toolbox is a comprehensive, research-backed resource that equips schools, educators, and parent liaisons with everything they need to strengthen family partnerships, increase volunteer participation, and drive measurable student success. Packed with proven strategies and practical tools, this all-in-one solution helps create an inclusive, welcoming school culture where every family feels valued and empowered to contribute.
Step-by-Step Support for Building Your 10 Step Plan
The Peabody team identified these 10 core steps:
1. Form a diverse Family Engagement Committee
2. Define clear goals with input from all stakeholders
3. Conduct a needs assessment
4. Identify key strategies (like the Pledge & Report Card)
5. Create an implementation timeline
6. Allocate resources and assign responsibilities
7. Provide professional development
8. Launch and promote the plan
9. Monitor progress and make adjustments
10. Reflect, celebrate, and repeat
[Download Our Checklist] to begin your plan today!
Professional Development That Drives Participation
Maximize the impact of your family engagement efforts with professional development that inspires action and increases parent participation. Whether you're looking to energize your team, build new skills, or transform your school climate, our solutions are tailored to meet your needs. Explore Our PD Solutions to see how training can turn good intentions into measurable outcomes.
Book a Workshop, Train Your Team
✅ Want Hands-On Guidance for Your School Team? Book Our Workshops and Training
Empower your school or district with tools and strategies to create lasting, high-impact family engagement. Our Two-Day Traveling Workshop on Long-Range Planning builds upon the One-Day Traveling Workshop on Foundations of Family and Community Engagement, offering a comprehensive program to foster meaningful, sustainable connections with families and communities.
One-Day Traveling Workshop introduces the core principles of family engagement, equipping schools and districts with proven strategies and tools for immediate implementation.
Two-Day Traveling Workshop takes a deeper dive, focusing on long-term planning. Participants will develop a customized, multi-year action plan for sustainable, systemic, and culturally responsive engagement practices.
Two-Hour Family Engagement Toolbox Training
Unlock the full potential of family engagement with our concise, virtual training designed to empower educators and school leaders. Ideal for schools seeking flexible, on-demand professional development, this Zoom-based workshop provides innovative tools and practical strategies to boost engagement and foster a thriving school community. Bring the Training to Your School!
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Why Schools Choose Project Appleseed?
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Equips teachers, parents, and leaders with practical strategies
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Fully aligned with ESSA and Title I compliance requirements
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Measures volunteer value and supports funding reports
What Educators Are Saying
"Good afternoon, Kevin,
I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent family engagement workshop you offered today at KCSOS. I learned so much!
We would like to again extend an invitation to the Kern High School District Parent and Family Center Liaisons' meeting scheduled on Monday, Nov. 4 at 10 am. I think your knowledge and experience will help the team so much as we continue to plan and finalize details for the 30th Anniversary of the National Parent Involvement Day.
Also, if you have time, I would like to interview you about family engagement in education for a Literature Review I am working on for my master's in educational administration.
Thank you so much for everything you have done to make our educational system better and help students as well as families all across the country."
— Parent Education Liaison, Kern County Superintendent of Schools, Bakersfield, CA
Step Up Family Engagement with Professional Development
Take the first step!
Title I Requirements Made Simple
Federal policies like the Every Student Succeeds Act and IDEA require schools to develop written parent engagement plans. If your school receives Title I, Part A funds, your plan must be created with families, not just for them. [Contact Us for a Compliance Check-Up]
Questions for Your School Team to Consider
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Are we currently connecting, engaging, and sustaining parent involvement? What's missing?
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What new strategy could make the most impact right now?
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What resources and partnerships are needed to move forward?
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How will we gather feedback from parents, staff, and students?
Use our Action Plan Template to get started. Schedule a Free Consult with Project Appleseed
Let’s Turn Your Vision Into Action
Your school can take meaningful steps toward lasting family engagement. Whether you're just starting or refining your strategy, Project Appleseed offers the tools, training, and support to move forward with confidence.
Start Your Family Engagement Journey Today!
Access the Toolbox | Book a Workshop | Become a Member
Connect With Us — Get Started Today
Fill out the short form below to receive:
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Access to our Family Engagement Toolbox samples
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Information on professional development pricing and membership
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A free consultation