Welcome to the 4th issue of

The Engagement Exchange Newsletter

Upcoming Events

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A welcome message from the project Co-Directors

Dear Families, Educators, and Community Partners: Welcome to the fourth edition of our family and community engagement newsletter—now officially named the Engagement Exchange!

We’re excited to share not just updates and resources, but also a renewed focus on building meaningful partnerships between home, school, and community.

The name Engagement Exchange reflects our commitment to two-way communication, shared learning, and collaboration. We believe that strong family-school partnerships are essential for student success, and that starts with sharing ideas, celebrating wins, and working together.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• Highlights from recent family events and initiatives
• Tips and tools for supporting learning at home
• Opportunities to get involved and make your voice heard
• A sneak peek at upcoming events and programs

We hope this new format and name resonate with you, and we welcome your feedback! If there’s something you’d love to see featured or a story worth sharing, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for being an essential part of our learning community. Let’s continue the exchange!

Warmly,

Dr. Lanisha Makle-Ridley and Jeannette Mejias

Co-Project Directors

New Jersey Family Engagement Hub

We’re excited to announce that the START Technical Assistance Resource and Team has officially found a new home within the NJ Family Engagement Hub at SPAN. The commitment remains the same: to uplift and strengthen effective parent groups across New Jersey. The commitment remains the same: to uplift and strengthen effective parent groups

across New Jersey. We’re excited to welcome Stefanie Babits, START–SFEC Coordinator, to the NJ Family Engagement Hub team. Stefanie brings a deep commitment to authentic family engagement and collaborative leadership—values that are at the heart of our mission. Her involvement will further strengthen our collective work, ensuring that START continues to

provide trusted support while deepening its alignment with statewide family engagement efforts. This step forward reflects our shared commitment to empowering families, supporting youth and students, equipping educators, and engaging community providers—all in service of building inclusive, connected communities through meaningful partnership and advocacy.

Big news! START Team has a new home — come check out where the journey continues here: https://njfehub.org/start/

Webinar Recap: Building Strong Family-School Partnerships

Building Strong Family-School Partnerships brought together families, educators, and community partners to explore actionable strategies for fostering positive, productive relationships that support every student. Participants learned effective communication techniques, discussed ways to collaborate on student success and well-being, and explored how to create a

more supportive school environment. The session also offered practical tips for navigating challenges and celebrating collective achievements within school communities. This engaging event left attendees with tools and inspiration to strengthen family-school-community collaboration and build lasting partnerships that uplift all learners.

Missed the webinar? You can watch the full recording on our YouTube channel—click here to view it.

Lunch and Learn: Partnering with Your School Collaborative Problem-Solving Family Engagement Edition

Families, educators, and community-based organizations recently participated in an engaging webinar that emphasized the power of meaningful collaboration to boost student achievement, exploring practical strategies and tools to foster strong partnerships and leaving attendees with insights and motivation to support inclusive, thriving educational

communities. Participants explored the connection between health and academic achievement, gained insight into how school systems operate, and learned strategies to support learning at home. The sessions also highlighted the critical role parents play in fostering healthy school

environments. By the end of the series,

parents were equipped with practical tools and strategies to become active partners in promoting student achievement and strengthening literacy skills.

Parents as Champions for Healthy Schools Virtual Workshop

In July and August, Kasey Dudley led a virtual workshop series, Parents as Champions for Healthy Schools, offered to both morning groups on Mondays and evening groups on Thursdays. The sessions focused on engaging families in student success through the WSCC (Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child) Model. Participants

explored how health impacts achievement, how school systems function, ways to support learning at home, and the vital role of parents in fostering healthy school environments. Throughout the series, families gained a deeper understanding of the connections between physical health, mental well-being, and academic outcomes. They learned practical

strategies for partnering with educators, communicating effectively within schools, and promoting healthier policies and practices. Parents also shared experiences, building confidence in their ability to influence positive changes both at home and in their children’s schools. By the end of the workshops, participants left with new tools, a stronger sense of community, and a clearer vision of how they could be champions for student success and school wellness.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our progress, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved!

Webinar Recap: Middle School and High School Family Math

If you were not able to join us, participants attended an engaging webinar designed for families of students in grades 6–12. We shared practical strategies to support math learning at home, boost confidence, deepen understanding of key concepts, and foster a positive mindset around math—no advanced equations required—so

they can feel more connected, confident, and ready to partner on their child’s math journey in the school environment. The session also offered practical tips for navigating challenges and celebrating collective achievements within school communities. This engaging event left attendees with tools and inspiration to

strengthen family-school-community

collaboration and build lasting partnerships that uplift learners of all ages.

Webinar Recap: Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism in Schools

Our recent presentation focused on the impact of chronic absenteeism and the essential role consistent attendance plays in student learning and long-term success. Attendees explored the often-overlooked consequences of missed school days and how absenteeism directly affects academic and social outcomes. The session highlighted

practical strategies to support regular attendance and emphasized the highlighted practical strategies to support regular attendance, and emphasized the importance of collaborative, community-based solutions to help families overcome attendance challenges. Whether a parent, educator, or community member,

participants walked away with actionable tools and a renewed understanding of how we can all contribute to keeping students present, engaged, and ready to learn each day.

Learn more about the New Jersey Family Engagement Hub

Lunch and Learn: Back to School, Moving Forward

On September 16, parents, caregivers, and community members participated in a workshop designed to help students start the school year strong. Throughout the sessions, participants learned practical strategies to help families ease into new routines, stay organized, and build meaningful connections with teachers and school staff. The workshop

covered a variety of important topics, including creating consistent daily and weekly schedules that balance academics, extracurricular activities, and downtime, as well as identifying the right school contacts—teachers, counselors, administrators, and the school nurse—for different questions. Families learned how to communicate effectively about their child’s

progress, structure academic time at home, and support homework and study habits. By sharing experiences, parents gained confidence and practical tools to help their children stay focused and successful while maintaining strong collaboration with teachers and schools.

Check out the Upcoming Events section for details on the next session in the 3-Part Lunch and Learn Series, beginning October 21, 2025: Part 1 – Family Engagement in Literacy: Practice Building Key Literacy Skills.

On September 13, 2025, the retreat marked an important milestone for the NJFEH Team and partners, bringing together educators, families, community leaders, and state representatives for their first in-person gathering for Advisory Committee Members from SEL4NJ, BookSmart, Paterson Education Fund, the New Jersey Department of Education, and Parent Representatives.

Led by Debra Jennings, held our first in-person retreat. The retreat fostered collaboration by engaging participants in interactive activities, from creating a “recipe” for effective family engagement to examining real examples of schools that practice it well. Discussions highlighted both the strengths and the gaps in the family engagement across New Jersey

schools, with participants identifying root causes of challenges and organizing them into clear categories. The event emphasized the shared responsibility of leaders, educators, families, and community organizations in supporting authentic engagement. Most importantly, it set the groundwork for actionable next steps by defining what each stakeholder

group needs to strengthen partnerships and improve student learning. Overall, the retreat strengthened relationships, clarified priorities, and built momentum for advancing meaningful family and community engagement statewide through the New Jersey Family Engagement Hub Project.

We recently came together on September 26 for the SPAN 2025 End of Summer Soirée—a vibrant evening filled with cocktails, delicious bites, and a shared sense of purpose. Guests enjoyed a night of fun and connection while supporting initiatives that uplift children and families through systems advocacy, youth leadership, health, wellness,

mental health, and self-care. It was a memorable celebration of community, flavor, and philanthropy. The 2025 SPAN Parent Leadership & Advocacy Conference, Parent Leadership in Action: Creating Stronger Communities, brought families and advocates together from across New Jersey to highlight the power of meaningful parent leadership in shaping stronger communities.

Hosted by the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network and Co-sponsored by the New Jersey Family Engagement Hub Project, the statewide on, policies and programs impacting families, and participated in a wide range of workshops covering family engagement, education, systems advocacy, youth leadership, health and wellness, mental health, and self-care.

The event featured keynote speaker Valerie C. Williams, former Director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Attendees also engaged in a dynamic panel discussion with supportive leaders.

Learn more about the SPAN Advocacy Network

The New Jersey Family Engagement Hub, in partnership with SEL4NJ, continued its workshop series with engaging sessions for families. In August, The Power of Knowing Yourself explored self-awareness as a foundation for confidence and emotional well-being, while Cultivating Thriving Communities highlighted how school culture shapes



learning. In September 2025, the series continued with Empowered Kids: Building Self-Control and Responsibility, which gave parents tools to support children in managing emotions, stress, and decision-making, and Building Our Learning Village: Designing Respectful, Collaborative Learning Spaces, which focused on fostering belonging and creating classrooms where every child feels safe, seen, and empowered.

The Parent Advocacy workshop introduced families to the importance of speaking up for their children’s educational needs. Participants learned how to identify key decision-makers within schools and districts. The session emphasized the value of building positive, collaborative relationships with educators and administrators. Parents

explored practical strategies for communicating effectively and confidently. Real-life examples highlighted how advocacy can lead to stronger support and better outcomes for students. The workshop also encouraged parents to see themselves as partners in shaping their child’s learning journey. Attendees left feeling more prepared to navigate school systems and ensure their children thrive.

Home - attendance works. (2025, September 10). Attendance Works.\ https://www.attendanceworks.org/

Home | Just Equations. (n.d.). https://www.justequations.org/

Check out NJFEHUB Fridays and Youth Engagement Saturdays on Instagram!

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Need to reach us? We’re here to help!

Visit the SPAN Office: 570 Broad Street, Suite 702 | Newark, NJ 07102

Contact SPAN: Toll-free in NJ: (800) 654-SPAN (7726)

Tel: (973) 642-8100 | Fax: (973) 642-8080

Email: info@spanadvocacy.org

Visit SPAN and NJFEHUB Website

https://spanadvocacy.org/

https://njfehub.org/

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The New Jersey Family Engagement Hub is a project of SPAN funded by the U.S. Department of Education