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Elizabeth Green forms parent equity team to address achievement and discipline gaps
Summary
Elizabeth Green Elementary principal and parents described a new parent equity team that brings families, staff and students together to address attendance, discipline and achievement gaps; the committee will meet regularly and broaden parent engagement in school planning.
Principal Ryan Duran told the Newington Board of Education on June 11 that Elizabeth Green Elementary School has formed a parent equity team that meets roughly every six weeks to advise staff on attendance, discipline and instructional engagement for all students.
Duran said he created the committee after analyzing school data showing a widening gap in reading and attendance between white students and students of color. “I started thinking, what can we do to address this?” he told the board, describing an inclusive team of parents, staff and upper‑grade students who meet to surface barriers and recommend classroom and family supports.
Parent Kate Dwyer described why she joined: “I wanted to be reinforced not only to my children, but to all the children in this community that it does not matter where you’re from. You are all important,” she said. Dwyer said the group’s conversations have been “vulnerable” and have helped the school turn parent suggestions into classroom-level practices.
Another parent, Betsy Ruiz, said the effort helps families better understand how the school supports diverse learners. “Having these honest conversations — the stereotypes and assumptions I’ve made — that was the important piece for me to participate,” Ruiz said, noting the team’s role in outreach around cultural events and student leadership activities.
Duran said the team has already broadened participation and produced practical next steps: parent-to-parent communication, advisory conversations with upper-elementary students, and follow-up to improve attendance and classroom engagement. He said two parent members will continue similar work with other neighborhood schools next year and that the team will expand as interest grows.
No board action was required. Board members praised the initiative and asked Duran to return with periodic reports on results. The principal said the team will prioritize student voice, parent outreach and targeted classroom supports and will coordinate with central office staff in the coming school year.
Speakers and administrators presented this as a standing, school-level advisory body intended to strengthen family engagement and reduce disparities in outcomes across student groups.
