Family and Community Engagement

• Beginners’ Day: Beginners’ Day events are hosted in elementary schools in April and May to give students and parents an idea of what to expect when school starts in August. During Beginners’ Days, kindergarten teachers and staff share expectations for kindergarten, help parents establish home routines, and review required entry documents like immunizations and physicals.
• Open House: The purpose of an Open House is for parents and students to meet their teacher(s), visit classrooms, gain an overview of the school year’s learning, and access important documents and digital platforms.
• Curriculum Night: These family-facing opportunities provide parents with the chance to meet their child's teacher(s), learn about the curriculum, and discuss Family Academy.
• Family Academy: Family Academy offers families flexible, engaging opportunities; lunch and learn webinars on demand; and in-person, on-the-go opportunities to build knowledge and skills that support their child’s learning and overall well‑being. Through family‑friendly sessions, families can explore topics such as preparing for assessments, supporting children through key transitions, and navigating the challenges of adolescence while strengthening connections between families, schools, and the community. Check out cmsk12.org/familyacademy to explore resources and offerings! 
• Family Portal: The CMS Family Portal is the district’s one-stop shop for all family-facing resources. Families can navigate resources through 6 key pathways and find valuable information to support their unique needs at their convenience. Check out cmsk12.org/familyportal to learn more!
• Parent-Teacher Conferences:  Parent-teacher conferences are an important opportunity for families and educators to partner in support of student learning where families will learn more about academic progress, strengths, areas for growth, and ways to support learning at home. We encourage families to attend conferences, ask questions, and share insights about their child. Schools will communicate specific dates and scheduling information for conferences throughout the year.​​​​​​​

One of the most valuable opportunities for parent/family engagement is supporting the School Improvement Team (SIT). 

All teams meet once a month, and these meetings are open to the public. The School Improvement Team is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the School Improvement Plan, which provides strategies for creating school and student success. Members are selected by the school’s parent body and are appointed to serve on the teams. If you are interested in participating in your school’s School Improvement Team, contact your child’s school. 

Each school has a number of committees for parents to help guide and support the school’s educational process, such as the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), or other organizations. These organizations support students by helping with opportunities such as curriculum nights, book fairs, and fundraising events. For information, contact your child’s school. 

Your child’s school has a variety of support resources that are available to you. The most important person to know is your child’s classroom teacher. You can contact your child’s teacher by writing a note, sending an email, calling the school or visiting the classroom. In addition to the teacher, there are many other staff members who help families and students succeed in education, including:

• The principal is the lead school administrator. S/he serves as the instructional leader of the school and is responsible for student grade level placement and overall school operations.
• The assistant principal supports the principal as a member of the school’s administrative team and often manages different areas such as student discipline, scheduling, transportation, and other support services.
• The school counselor provides leadership for the implementation of the North Carolina Guidance curriculum, counseling for students, and consultation for parents and staff.
• Resource teachers and literacy and math facilitators are trained in special strategies to help students overcome learning challenges in reading and math.
• Multilingual Learner (ML) teachers work with students and families who are identified as ML based on the state-identified English Language Proficiency tests (WIDA Screener and ACCESS). 
• Speech therapists help children improve their written and spoken language communication.
• The school nurse assists with student health and medical needs.
• The school psychologist provides mental health support, consultative services and evaluations for students.
• The school social worker helps assess various student needs and connects students and families with critical school and community services.
• School family advocates provide support and resources to parents and students in most Title I schools.

Every school is supported by a team of people with different areas of expertise who are dedicated to ensuring that your child receives a quality education. Additional information regarding the different roles of student support staff is included in this handbook. Please feel free to reach out to the appropriate staff member with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your child’s educational experience.

Don’t wait for a special occasion. Get to know your child’s teacher and principal. Come for lunch. Visit the classroom and media center. Quality learning requires meaningful two-way communication between parents and school staff. Please contact the school principal to arrange a visit.

Did you know that your home can be a classroom too? In addition to learning at school, there are many wonderful opportunities for learning at home and in the community.

• Offer your child different types of reading materials such as magazines, newspapers, and books.
• Take time to read with your child every day.
• Talk to your child often as you work around the house, run errands, and shop to build vocabulary and develop critical thinking skills.
• Also, be sure to set aside time each day for your child to do his/her homework and take the time to talk about what your child is learning in school.

Make sure the teacher, principal, and school staff are aware of any special needs your child may have. Contact school staff by telephone, email or in person whenever you have a question or concern, and please be sure to keep the school informed of any changes at home.

Spend a few minutes each day enjoying each other’s company. Listen to your child. Let your child pick an activity to do with you like playing a game or taking a walk. Family time is important!