Family Engagement Plan

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.

Hazel Park Preparatory Academy is a Pre-K – 8 grade school.  The school is an International Baccalaureate World School preparing scholars to be successful, contributing, international minded citizens for the 21^st Century.  The school offers the Primary Year Programme (PYP).  PYP and MYP programme are rigorous, challenging and engaging teaching and learning programme that help scholars prepare for college/ vocational success.  Scholars exercise initiatives by applying higher thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize approaches to open mindedly solve problems.  They learn to become thoughtful thinkers with courage to explore and articulate their thoughts based on learning and experience in this curriculum.  An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is established with each scholar, parent and teacher to set goals based on intelligences and needs.  This ILP is monitored throughout the school year.  High expectations are established for scholars, parents and staff.  School goals include that leadership and staff set targets and timelines to achieve the benchmarks of the established State and District standards and the standards and practices of the PYP and MYP Programmes.  International Baccalaureate World School share a common philosophy a common commitment to high quality, challenging, engaging education that Hazel Park Preparatory Academy principal and staff believe is important for our students to be successful.

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: Robin Landowski
• Social Worker: Dorene Brookins, Alishia VanKirk
• Counselor: Katherine Miller, Rebecca Engeleiter 

Our school communicates with families in many ways.

1. All students work and important communication go home in a Wednesday folder/elementary (PYP)
2. School Newsletter: sent home monthly and on website. (hppa.spps.org)
3. PYP teachers: weekly newsletters letting parents know what their child is learning for the week.
4. Seesaw: Pre-Kindergarten through second grade teachers use this app to share students work with parents.
5. Student Planners: organizational tool for students gr. 1-5; method for two-way communication between parents and teachers to keep parents informed. 
6. MYP teachers: information on school website and parent portal (hppa.spps.org). (Schoology) 
7. Month-At-A Glance: Monthly calendar of events, field trips and assemblies for PYP and MYP.  
8. Phone calls, emails and MessagesXR calls are sent to parents.
9. Parent Liaison and Social Workers do home visits, phone calls and letters.

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: 

• For more about our work on racial equity, contact: Principal.  On-going professional development at the district and building level.
• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
• Restorative Practice (RP)
• Multilingual Learner (MLL)

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:

• We offer school tours, open house, parent information fair and shadowing students.
• Elementary Schools: Specific coordination with SPPS office of Early Learning (OEL), Head-Start and other pre-school programs.

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

• Coordinate school visits, career programs and support available from school counselor.
• Provide necessary transfer paperwork as requested by the school transferring to.  Communicate from teacher to new teacher and if student has Individual Education Plan (IEP) school social worker contact school.
   

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:

• The compacts are by grade level (pre-k to 5) for elementary and a collaboration for middle grades (6-7-8). The compacts are shared during Open House, The Annual Title I Meeting, Parent Meetings, Conferences and in the main office.

The compact will be updated:

• Compact is review at spring PTO meeting and updated for the School Continuous Improvement Plan (SCIP) and Family Engagement Plan (FEP).

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

• Title I Annual Meeting where we will share information about school programs October 2024.
• Parent Meetings, Cultural Groups, IB Showcase, PYP and MYP Assembles, Perfect Attendance, PBIS Recognition, A/B Honor Roll and National Honor Society Recognitions.
• National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) will be Monday, February 9, 2026
• Parent/Teacher Home Visit Project
• IB 5th grade Exhibition and 8th grade Community Project.

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

• Fliers are sent home and translation is made available upon request.
• Childcare and transportation is provided to all families. When meetings are held over the dinner hour a light dinner is served.
• Phone calls, MessagesXR message, and newsletters/flyers are sent home in different languages.
• Cultural Groups meet monthly and translators are available.

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

• Parents are welcome to visit their child’s classroom, letter are sent home and phone calls are made.
• Staff engages in professional development and PLC’s to assist with families.
• Families will be involved in planning for school improvement and family engagement at Parent, Teacher organization meeting.
• Parents are invited to participate in sports and mentor, guiding/instructing during sports activities. 
• Family Engagement and School Improvement Plan (SCIP) are discussed at the PTO Meeting.

Teaching and Learning

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

• Elementary Progress Reports are given at conferences in the Fall 2025 and the Spring 2026.  If parents do not attend, Progress Reports will be mailed home.

• Middle School Progress Reports are mailed by the district and available on Parent Portal.  Information on how to access Parent Portal is available through the school office, counselor or district website. (spps.org)

• Parent-Teacher conferences are held:
  • October 9, Thursday, 4:00 -7:00 PM (MYP ONLY)
  • November 5, Wednesday, 4:00-7:00 PM (PYP ONLY)
  • November 6, Thursday 4:00 PM-7:00 PM (PYP & MYP)
  • November 7, Friday 8:30 - 11:30 AM/12:30-3:30 PM (PYP Only)
  • March 31, Tuesday 4:00 - 7:00 PM (PYP & MYP)
  • April 2, Thursday 4:00-7:00 PM (PYP & MYP)
  • April 3, Friday, 8:30-11:30 AM/12:30-3:30 PM  (PYP ONLY)
• Parent Meeting 
  • 5:00-6:30 PM November 18, 25 Annual Title I Meeting/Fall Family Literacy Night
  • 5:00-6:30 January 22, 26 Winter Open House/Family Music Night
  • 5:00-6:30 March 17, 26 Family Literacy & Math Night
  • 5:00-6:30 May 21,26 Family Night/Budget Review/Music Highlights & New family Night.
• February 9, 26 African American Parent Involvement Day 
• Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit classrooms on a regular basis.  Volunteers are always welcome in the classroom or school-wide events.  Please check in the office when you will be visiting.

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: Parents and students sign a contract.  Information is on Parent Portal.  If contact is not signed on Parent Portal the information forms are sent home to parents at the beginning of the school year and is given to new students at registration.
• Schoology and/or Seesaw – provide information about the use of these learning management systems at your school.

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

• Extended Day Learning (EDL), Freedom School Express, mentorship and TRIO-Century College.

Community Partnerships

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

• Partnerships include: Boys and Girls Club, Parks and Recreation, 3M, TRIO-Century College, I AM Resources Sankofa, Junior Achievement.

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