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Greenfield Intermediate presents five parent‑engagement initiatives to school board
Summary
Greenfield Intermediate told the board it launched five parent‑engagement efforts — PAWS, All Pro Dads, a parent book study, quarterly roundtables and a TBRI parent night — aimed at boosting attendance, family partnerships and students’ social‑emotional supports.
Greenfield Intermediate staff used the board’s spotlight presentation to outline five initiatives designed to increase parent partnerships and community involvement at the school.
Principal/Presenter (speaker 2) said the efforts map to a district priority to boost stakeholder engagement and that the initiatives were chosen to give parents a voice and strengthen the home–school relationship. "We wanted to give parents a voice and a forum to have conversations about how the educational experience could be improved," the presenter said.
The largest effort, PAWS (Parents Active With Students), is led by eight parent volunteers and is intended as a bridge between home and school. The presenter named officers and members of the committee and described volunteer support for a robotics club, a Monday Maverick attendance program, grade‑level fundraising and a volunteer‑led yoga club that provided 30 mats at no cost.
"GIS excels at fostering meaningful connections between parents and the dedicated staff who care for our children each day," said Whitney Neese, a parent of a fifth‑grader who spoke at the meeting. Neese said the partnership between parents and staff has helped her son’s confidence and love of learning.
Fourth‑grade teacher Jessica Webster described how PAWS has reduced teacher workload and boosted classroom fundraising. "PAWS this year was able to come in and really help us take that on and take some of the load off of us as teachers," Webster said, noting volunteers staffed sales stations and provided donations that kept more funds available for students.
The presentation also highlighted All Pro Dads, a monthly program that brings male role models into the school around a curriculum of life skills and character development. "It's been nice to actually connect with people," said Joe Loneman, co‑chair, describing monthly breakfasts and conversation that help dads and students integrate with the school community.
A parent book study using 50 copies of The Anxious Generation (provided by Greenfield Central Student Services) focused on how social media and devices affect children’s mental health; Dr. Rowe (school psychologist) and a high‑school staff member led sessions. Anne Grislak, a book‑club participant, said the club gave her confidence in handling technology decisions at home: "The book club has reminded me that as parents, we have the power to guide our children through the digital age with intention, care, and wisdom."
Finally, the school described quarterly parent roundtables that led directly to a TBRI (Trust‑Based Relational Intervention) parent night; Student Services funded an outside presenter through Obelite to give families practical regulation strategies to use at home.
The presenter closed by inviting attendees to a group photo. The board subsequently moved on to other agenda items.
