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.

The wooded hills, trails and wetlands of Battle Creek Regional Park provide a unique opportunity for students to learn firsthand about Minnesota’s many natural resources. We provide a curriculum emphasizing hands-on learning. Students and teachers use the peaceful forest and groomed trails of the park for a variety of learning activities ranging from pond studies to cross-country skiing. In addition to core subjects, students receive instruction from specialists in music, physical education and science. Active parents promote community involvement, host activities that increase awareness of Battle Creek, and raise funds to provide extras. Partnerships with the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Ordway Performing Arts Center and Science from Scientists enhance our rich and balanced education experience. Students at Battle Creek will learn self-confidence and good citizenship in an environment that fosters a sense of belonging.

• Our Mission: Teaching students to be successful in school and in life!  
• Our Vision: Learning Powered by STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics)  
• Core Values: Collaboration, Equity and Achievement

Welcoming Environment

Our school has staff member(s) available for families to discuss this plan and ask questions

• Hmong, Somali, English and Spanish speaking staff
• Home/School Liaison – Please contact Marcy Berenato
• PTO

Our school communicates with families in many ways.

1. All student work and important papers come home in Friday folders
2. Seasonal Family Newsletters
3. Watch for periodic school website updates
4. Parent/Teacher Conferences
5. Monthly newsletters from classroom teachers
6. ConnectEd – mass phone call system
7. E-mails
8. When families call, e-mail, or send a note, we do our best to respond within 24 hours.

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: Kristen Longway-School Principal
• Leadership and Equity teams have been combined to ensure equity is part of all leadership team discussions and decision-making.
• All members of the Leadership/Equity team will have received Beyond Diversity training by the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

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:

• Pre-K & Kindergarten Orientation Night (Virtual)
• Pre-K & Kindergarten and First Grade Take Your Parent to School Day
• Pre-K & Kindergarten Conferences (Fall/Spring)
• Offer Parents workshops & Parent Academy
• Provide Information about district workshops
• Provide websites that have information to support parents with their child’s transition
• Parent Education from the Office of Early learning
• Open House to welcome incoming PreK and Kindergarten students and families

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

• E-STEM Staff & Students are invited to meet with 5th grade students to discuss the upcoming transition
• BCE leads transitional activities geared at preparing students for typical challenges and experiences they will face in Middle School Tours.
• Parents are able to set up tours at both schools and learn about all the exciting programs and activities that E-STEM and Battle Creek Middle school has to offer.

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:

• Battle Creek Elementary Website
• Open House Night
• Fall Conferences
• Main Office of Battle Creek Elementary

The compact will be updated: 2025

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

• Title I Annual Meeting / Open House where we will share information about school programs 2024-2025 – October 2
• PTO – 2nd Monday of the Month (Virtual or in-person)
• National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID)
• Carnival / Welcome back to school celebration
• Read-A-Thon – Winter Break
• Fall / Spring Conferences – Fall 2024, Spring 2025
• New Family Showcase Night
• Family STEAM Night
• BCE Family BBQ
• Monthly Grade level STEAM presentations
• Parent Teacher Home Visit Project
• Parent Academy Sessions: TBD

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

• When sending out information, we create flyers in various home languages. We also use automatic calls to disseminate information.
• Multi-Language Speaking Home/School Liaisons
• During conferences we offer families transportation. During family events, we communicate with our families if childcare, food and transportation will be available.
• During large family events our family liaisons are available to translate and provide information on events. Additionally, information regarding the event will be summarized and kept on file at the school.
• Staff may call parents directly and invite them to different family events.
• Parents and families can request regular meetings to discuss and provide feedback to staff and administration

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

There are various ways for parents to voice their concerns regarding their child’s social and academic progress. Typically, parents will first contact their child’s classroom teacher. If there are further concerns, the parents contact the administration. A joint meeting may be held with various staff members, administration and parents to work towards common goals.  

Staff will receive professional development around the interpretation of ACCESS scores for ELL students and use this information to best meet the needs of individual students. This information will be shared with parents at conferences as teachers layout specific strategies that will help each ELL child develop their English Language acquisition.

amilies can get involved in planning for school improvement and family engagement by:

• PTO Meetings (monthly)
• Open House / Annual Title One Meeting
• Parents engaged in family engagement committee

Teaching and Learning

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

• Report cards and progress reports will be distributed
• Parents will receive progress reports during conferences.
• Parent-Teacher conferences are held: Fall 2024 and Spring 2025
• Parents receive individualized progress reports upon request.
• ACCESS scores for ELL students
• MCA Math / Reading scores grades 3-5
• MCA Science scores grade 5
• FastBridge Testing

*During conferences student results and data will be shared with families. Teachers will be able to share with families some strategies they can use at home to support student learning.

Our school will engage in personalized learning as a key strategy to accelerate student achievement. Parents can get more information using many tools.

• iPads – all students PreK-5 have a school-issued iPad to support personalized learning in the classroom.
• Parent log-in information can be accessed at spps.org

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

• Collaborative After School Program
• Early Childhood Family Education
• Community Education
• Battle Creek Recreation Center before/ after school care

Community Partnerships

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

• 3M
• Minneapolis Institute of Art
• Ordway Performing Arts Center
• University of Minnesota

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