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Top pick by both
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magazines!
Welcome to the home of National Parental Involvement Day & Public School Volunteer Week!
Give Families
the Red Carpet Treatment
Welcoming Families to Your School
Why Is a Welcoming Environment Crucial?
For parents and family members to fully participate in their child’s education, they must feel genuinely welcomed. When families feel that they belong and that the school is invested in them, they become more active participants in every aspect of the educational process. Research consistently shows that schools with engaged families see significant improvements in student test scores, attendance, behavior, and overall life skills. In essence, a welcoming school culture sets the stage for academic and social success.
What Is the Red Carpet Treatment?
The Red Carpet Treatment is a family-friendly walk-through process that’s an integral part of our Family Engagement Toolbox. This innovative approach brings together parents, school staff, community members, and other stakeholders to experience your school through fresh eyes—those of the families who attend it. The goal? To uncover practical ways to make your school more inviting and inclusive for every family, including those that may feel marginalized or overlooked.
How Does It Work?
An action team, ideally composed of 6 to 10 members (with parents forming the majority), conducts a guided tour of your school. This team assesses various elements—from the physical layout, parking areas, classrooms, and common spaces to the friendliness of your staff, the tone of your communications, and the accessibility of your policies. They then document their observations on a Red Carpet Commendation/Recommendation Form, highlighting what works well and suggesting actionable improvements.
Can your school be so welcoming, so inviting, and so comfortable that every person who walks through the doors believes they
are about to have an amazing experience?
Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and Ian Pumpian
Who Should Get Involved?
The effectiveness of the Red Carpet Treatment lies in its diverse participation. The team should include:
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Parents and family members from different backgrounds, including those new to the district, English Learner parents, or parents of younger students.
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School staff and administrators who interact with families daily.
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Community leaders and business representatives who understand local dynamics.
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School board members who can champion policy changes.
What’s the Benefit?
The insights gained from the Red Carpet Treatment help schools identify quick wins and develop a broader plan for creating a more welcoming environment. By sharing the resulting report with school staff, families, and community members, you set the stage for a collaborative effort to enhance family engagement. The outcome is a more inclusive, family-centered school culture that supports student success on multiple fronts.
Get the Family Engagement Toolbox and receive the Red Carpet Treatment. Get the necessary documents, assemble your diverse team, and take the first step toward transforming your school into a place where every family feels valued. With the Red Carpet Treatment, you’re not just improving the physical space—you’re nurturing a culture of connection that can change lives.
The Fairfax County Public Schools’ Parenting Education Center (PEC) originally developed the Red-Carpet Treatment—known then as the “Welcoming Atmosphere Walk Through”—to boost parent involvement in schools. Recognizing its effectiveness, Project Appleseed adapted this process by incorporating editions from Fairfax County Public Schools, the Institute for Responsive Education (IRE), and the South Dakota Department of Education, making it a versatile tool for any school.