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.

Visit NJFEHUB.org to access these resources and continue fostering meaningful engagement year-round.

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

Join Our Reading Expedition: Unearth a Story!

Pick up your Dig Site Map at in-person events or download it from the NJFEHub website. Available in both English and Spanish, this fun-filled adventure invites families to explore 8 exciting “dig sites,” each featuring weekly reading challenges and activities.

Track your journey using the Activity & Reading Log as you progress toward becoming a Master Story Excavator and earn your certificate along the way!

New Jersey Family Engagement Calendar 2026

We’re excited to share the New Jersey Family Engagement Hub’s 2026 Family Engagement Calendar, filled with activities designed to strengthen family connections and support meaningful learning at home. Be sure to look out for the calendar at our in-person events, it’s a great resource you won’t want to miss.

Join us at the 2026 Family Engagement Leadership Summit!

The Summit is dedicated to a core belief that the most extraordinary breakthroughs in education begin with simple, intentional shifts in how we lead. By empowering educators and community leaders to prioritize authentic connection and accessible communication, we transform everyday actions into lifelong success for every student.

Shalinee Sharma is this year’s keynote speaker. She is the co-founder of Zearn and the author of Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math.

Over 20 engaging breakout sessions will cover important areas of family engagement: Attendance, Mathematics, Literacy, Career Development, Artificial Intelligence, and more.

Practical tools you can use immediately
Inspiring examples from across the example
Engaging sessions from Harvard, John Hopkins, and Appalachian State
Networking with passionate family engagement leaders

In addition, a special networking session for our state is planned at 3:30 pm EST.

Registration is now open through September 11, 2026. We hope to see you there!

Family Engagement Toolkit

Our Family Engagement Toolkit offers practical resources to help families understand progress reports and report cards, prepare for parent-teacher conferences, identify concerns early, and set SMARTER goals. These tools are designed to empower families, build trust, and strengthen collaboration with schools, supporting every child’s academic and personal growth.

Back to School Toolkit

Our Back-to-School Toolkit provides practical resources to help families prepare for a successful school year, including guidance on school supplies, literacy and family math activities, and social-emotional learning supports. It also offers strategies to strengthen family-school partnerships and connects families with libraries, fatherhood engagement opportunities, and community resources to support every child's academic and personal success.

To learn more about our upcoming in - person and virtual events, visit the SPAN Events Page using the button below.

SPAN Events

Webinar Recap: Skill Up This Summer: Engaging Activities to Inspire Learning at School and Beyond

This webinar encouraged families to make the most of summer through enriching activities that build skills, spark creativity, and support learning beyond the classroom. Participants explored opportunities such as STEM, arts, sports, volunteering, internships, libraries, museums, and community programs, while learning practical tips for planning

and finding affordable local resources. The session also highlighted the shared role of families, educators, and community organizations in supporting student success. By encouraging year-round learning and collaboration, the webinar emphasized that meaningful summer experiences help students build confidence, develop new skills, and return to school ready to succeed.

Lunch & Learn Recap: The College Track

Designed to help students become college- and career-ready while empowering families and community members to advocate for high-quality education. Participants learned from the experiences of successful participants who shared different pathways to college and careers, demonstrating that there are multiple routes to achieving future

goals. The session encouraged participants to ask about preparing every student for success after graduation. Meaningful questions, exploring college and career options and beginning to develop personalized action plans. By focusing on informed decision-making and self-determination, the webinar emphasized preparing every student for success after graduation.

Lunch & Learn Recap: Understanding The School Budget

This Lunch & Learn webinar provided families with an overview of the school budget process and explained how state and district budget decisions influence students' educational experiences. Participants learned how budgets are developed, from the Governor's budget proposal through local school board planning and public

hearings, and gained insight into district and school-level decisions. budget priorities, including funding for programs, services, and family engagement. The session also focused on helping families become informed advocates by teaching them how to read school budgets, identify key spending areas, and ask meaningful questions about how resources are allocated. Through strategies from the Right Question Project, participants explored ways to engage in budget discussions, understand what their children need to succeed, and work collaboratively with school leaders to support student achievement. To learn more about Paterson Education Fund, please visit their website at: https://paterson-education.org/

June 2026 Partner Workshops: SEL4NJ

SEL4NJ Workshop: Digital Well-Being & Social Awareness in the AI Era

This webinar explored how families and educators can promote healthy technology use by balancing the benefits of AI with students' social-emotional well-being. Participants learned practical strategies to encourage responsible digital habits, support self-awareness and decision-making, and model positive technology use at home and in the classroom. The session also highlighted how AI can enhance

classroom. The session also highlighted how AI can enhance learning when used thoughtfully to generate ideas, build understanding, and support problem-solving without replacing critical thinking. Families and educators were encouraged to guide students in using technology to foster learning, resilience, and overall well-being.

SEL4NJ Workshop: Creating Meaningful Partnerships for Youth

This workshop explored how strong partnerships between schools, families, and community organizations create a coordinated support system that helps children and youth thrive. Participants learned why connection and belonging are essential for resilience, well-being, academic success, and positive relationships, while examining common

barriers to engagement and strategies for supportive, meaningful participation. The session emphasized building trust through consistent communication, listening, recognizing the strengths of families and communities, and sharing responsibility for student success. Presenters also highlighted the importance of elevating youth voice and leadership by creating opportunities for students to contribute, make decisions, and speak up for themselves. Ultimately, the workshop reinforced that when families, schools, and community partners work together, young people experience the consistent support they need to grow, succeed, and reach their full potential.

Lunch and Learn: Unlocking Your Child’s Learning Style: Tools to Get Better Engaged and Become a Stronger Parent Partner

This Lunch and Learn explored how understanding a child’s unique way of processing information can help families create more positive and effective learning experiences at home. Participants learned about different learning approaches, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic strategies, while gaining practical tools to better support

homework, study habits, and academic growth. The session emphasized moving beyond simply monitoring grades to building strong partnerships that connect home and school learning. Families explored the benefits of multisensory learning, creating supportive routines, using community resources like libraries, and encouraging strategies that help students build confidence, independence, and success.

July 2026 Partner Workshops: SEL4NJ

SEL4NJ Workshop: A Strengths-Based Approach to Teaching

This workshop explored how a strengths-based approach helps educators build trust, motivation, and engagement by recognizing what students do well while supporting areas for growth. Participants learned how to shift from focusing on challenges and deficits to identifying students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioral strengths in meaningful ways.

The session emphasized reframing behaviors as opportunities to build skills rather than as character flaws. Educators explored strategies for using positive language, recognizing student strengths, and creating classroom environments where students feel valued, capable, and connected. By helping students see their own potential, educators can strengthen relationships, increase confidence, and support long-term success.

SEL4NJ Workshop: The Power of Words: How Language Shapes Growth and Connection

This webinar explored how intentional, positive language shapes children's behavior, confidence, and self-belief. Participants learned how everyday words influence identity, relationships, and motivation, and discovered strategies for shifting from controlling or corrective language to language that teaches, guides, and encourages growth. Through real-life scenarios, such as responding when a child repeatedly forgets homework; they practiced reframing common responses into coaching conversations that promote responsibility, problem-solving, and self-reflection. The session also highlighted the importance of replacing generic praise and criticism with meaningful feedback that recognizes effort, perseverance, and learning. The presenter shared practical language swaps that families, educators, and community members can use to strengthen relationships, reduce conflict, and help children feel capable, connected, and motivated. Ultimately, the webinar reinforced that small changes in everyday communication can have a lasting impact on children's resilience, confidence, and long-term success. To learn more about SEL4NJ, please visit their website at: To learn more about SEL4NJ, please visit their website at: https://sel4nj.org

To learn more about our upcoming in - person and virtual events, visit the SPAN Events Page using the button below.

SPAN Events

Donuts with Dads

Jefferson Elementary School in Plainfield, NJ, continues to shine as a beacon of community engagement and family involvement. On June 13th, the school hosted its much-anticipated annual Donuts with Dads event, drawing fathers, father figures, and students together in a celebration of the vital roles dads play in their children’s lives. The morning was filled with laughter and warmth; families gathered in the school cafeteria for a breakfast spread featuring donuts, coffee, and a variety of delicious treats. The event fostered a welcoming environment where fathers and their children could share special moments before the school day began. A highlight of the morning was an inspiring presentation by Reverend Odom of Paterson, NJ, on behalf of the New Destiny Family Success Center.

Reverend Odom spoke passionately about the importance of fatherhood, community support, and the upcoming launch of the Dad’s Club at Jefferson Elementary. His words resonated with the audience, encouraging greater father involvement in school activities and offering practical support for dads navigating parenthood.

The event concluded with lively games and exciting prizes, leaving everyone smiling and with a sense of camaraderie. Donuts with Dads is more than just a breakfast—it’s a testament to the school’s commitment to building strong family-school partnerships and nurturing the next generation with the help of engaged, caring fathers and role models. As Jefferson Elementary looks ahead to future Dad’s Club events, the school community remains grateful for the enthusiasm and support shown by all the fathers and father figures who attended this year’s gathering.

By Evann Hardy, Central Region Family Engagement Specialist, NJ Family Engagement Hub.

Explore research-based resources from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child to discover simple strategies that help support healthy development, resilience, and lifelong learning.

Visit Website

Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2026b, July 23). Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/

Want to help students succeed? Discover how family, school, and community partnerships create stronger learning environments with resources from the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement.

Visit Website

NAFSCE. “National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement.” Nafsce.Org, 2019, https://nafsce.org/. Accessed 27 July 2026.

What career could be the right fit for you? Use CareerOneStop to explore careers, identify your strengths, and find education and training opportunities.

Visit Website

CareerOneStop. (n.d.). Careers and career information - CareerOneStop. https://www.careeronestop.org/

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