Families Take Advantage of AISD Training on Online Tools, Resources to Stay Engaged in Students’ Education

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With schools closed due to COVID-19, family involvement is more critical than ever.

With schools closed to campus-based learning to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the district shifted toward new a new way for instruction and more active engagement with teachers and families.

As the district moves to a new “normal,” Aldine ISD leaders are listening to families’ concerns and questions during this time as students learn at home. A recurring concern from families is how they can stay engaged in their children’s education. Families stated they need more information on how they can use and access multiple online resources and tools.

The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department offered two virtual informational sessions on Thursday, May 7: one in English and one in Spanish. The training invited families from six elementary campuses — Caraway, Dunn, Harris, Hill, Odom, and Smith. They were chosen based on the low percentage of active Schoology users.

Both sessions covered the same topics about how families can navigate online learning websites. FACE staff also went over Clever and Schoology: two tools that make it easy for families to stay involved in their children’s education.

• Clever: An online platform that provides a fast, secure, and easy way to identify and access resources to best support students’ learning needs.
• Schoology: An online platform that gives students, parents, and teachers an easy way to connect and communicate. Families with a Schoology account have access to the classes their child is enrolled in, their child’s upcoming assignments as well as school and class announcements.

Juan Arrieta, a digital learning specialist in the district, presented on the technical tools and resources and addressed questions.

Martha Escalante, executive director of FACE, was thrilled with the response from families. She noted that family engagement is critical. Study after study shows that families who work with their children at home are a potent source for change and increasing student achievement.

“It was great to see so many parents and legal guardians take part,” said Escalante. “We had 46 participants in the English session and 50 in the Spanish. They had a chance to ask questions. They wanted to know how to submit assignments, how to reset passwords, and other more. We are here to help with whatever they need. We are here to help with whatever they need. One of the parent comments that broke my heart stated, ‘Thank you. I thought I was alone during this quarantine time.’ I replied to him, ‘You are not alone.””

Escalante added that she looks forward to continuing to welcome partnerships with families. She seeks to build on family strengths and positive communications. Her department would like to offer Schoology and Clever training to families at other campuses. The feedback from families will also drive training topics. Families stated they would like to include different topics such as social-emotional learning, a refresher session on how to submit assignments in Schoology, and more.