Niagara Elementary has been awarded a Family Friendly Certification from the Prichard Committee’s Kentucky Collaborative for Families and Schools.
"Schools that attain this certification are pledging to actively engage families as crucial participants in their children's education," said Brigitte Blom, president and CEO of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. “Niagara Elementary School exemplifies this commitment, having consistently worked to incorporate family engagement practices. We’re thrilled to add Niagara to the growing number of schools making this commitment."
Niagara Elementary has worked to foster more effective partnerships with families and the broader community. As part of the certification process, a multidisciplinary team consisting of families, teachers, and administrators used a self-assessment tool to evaluate the school's family engagement performance. This team evaluated the school's practices, identified key areas for improvement, and integrated new practices designed to elevate its family-friendly rating.
"We're proud to be among the cohort of schools across the commonwealth to achieve the Family Friendly Certification,” said Principal Shari Holzmeyer. “We are fortunate to have an active community, supportive PTO, and committed staff all working towards our students' best interests. We will always strive to ensure that our families feel welcome, heard, and supported.
The Family Friendly Certification is awarded by the Prichard Committee’s Kentucky Collaborative for Families and Schools after applications are reviewed and scored by a working group of families, educators, and community organizations. The group is focused on increasing open communication, learning opportunities, and shared decision-making power across the Kentucky education system.
The Kentucky Department of Education includes the Family Friendly Certification in its school report card as evidence of effective family engagement.
The 2023 application deadline to apply for a Family Friendly Certification is October 1. For more details, visit prichardcommittee.org/familyengagem