Classroom Support Program
A list of tips for organizing classroom volunteer programs.
Ongoing
Family Connection Projects
A year-round family engagement project for school leaders.
Alissa Christensen
Each month, send families a simple creative prompt to complete together at home. Families who want to participate return their work to school, where it goes on display for the whole community to see. Over time, the collection grows into a visible, ongoing celebration of the families in your building.
Why try it
This project keeps families connected to school life without requiring them to come in. Monthly prompts are low-pressure and built for the kitchen table: drawing, writing, or decorating a template.
Students spot their family's contribution on the wall, other families see it during pickup and feel inspired to join in, and the display grows without much additional effort on your part. It's a year-round family engagement touchpoint that lives right in your hallway.
What's included
Browse the printables included with this resource.
Instructions
1
Set up your display space
Choose a prominent spot in your school and set it up with a title and a few anchor pieces before submissions come in. Having the space ready signals that this is a real, lasting project.
2
Send the welcome letter
Check out our potential script to families to introduce the project. Customize it with your name, school, and preferred cadence. This sets expectations upfront and lets families know participation is always welcome but never required.
3
Send the monthly prompt
Each month, send home an activity prompt with a return-by date. Check out our list of ideas for each month or come up with different ideas as a team.
4
Add submissions and celebrate
As creations come back, add them to the display. Mention participating families in your newsletter or morning announcements to keep the momentum going, and leave previous months' work up as new submissions join the board.
Activity variations
Adapt to fit your school's vibe, budget, and setting.
Quarterly version
Send four seasonal prompts rather than monthly ones for a lighter lift throughout the year. The display still grows meaningfully, and families have more time to complete each activity.
Student-designed prompts
Invite students to help choose or design the monthly theme. When the prompt comes home with a student's own input behind it, families tend to engage more readily.
Class-level spotlight
Assign each class or grade level a specific month. Their families take the lead on submissions that month, and their work anchors that section of the display.
Go deeper
Additional tips for running this resource.
Leader Tip #1
Send a reminder
A quick note home two to three days before the return date goes a long way. Many families mean to participate but lose track; a simple reminder is often all it takes.
Leader tip #2
Check in with staff
Ask teachers and staff if they've heard any feedback from families. They're often the first to hear how families are responding.
Built by Educators, for School Leaders
This resource was created in collaboration with passionate educators and school leaders who believe in the power of intentional connection.
Alissa Christensen
Head of Customer Success
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