Welcoming Schools

Connecticut Welcoming Schools

Welcome to our statewide initiative led by CREC in collaboration with the CT State Department of Education and SERC. We support schools and after-school programs in creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where families feel valued—because when families engage, students thrive.

Physical Environment
School-Wide Practices
Culture & Climate
Home-School Communication

Why it Matters

Research shows that when families feel truly welcomed, they’re more likely to engage—and strong family engagement leads to better attendance, achievement, and school climate.

How it Works

Here’s what you can expect from the welcoming walkthrough.

Set the Stage – Prepare your school for the Walkthrough by sending out assessments and building awareness.

1 Lesson

Month leading up to day

Teams walk through the school, gather data, discuss strengths and provide recommendations.

1 Lesson

1/2 Day

The CFSP Team provides a summary report, action plan, and progress is reviewed over time

1 Lesson

As needed

Training & Support

CREC in partnership with the CSDE and SERC, helps schools create inclusive, family-friendly environments that foster stronger engagement and student success.

Developing Awareness

90-minute intro to family engagement and the Walkthrough process.

Building Knowledge

Half-day workshop with videos, tools, and a full training manual.

Translating into Practice

On-site technical assistance to support planning and implementation.

Reflecting

Post-walkthrough summary reports and help developing an action plan.

Walkthrough Components

Families, Schools, and Community Partners complete assessments online or they may download the form and email to info@fsp.org

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
  • Physical appearance
  • Indoor physical environment
  • outdoor physical environment
  • Parking areas
  • Signage, entrances, offices and hallways. 
SCHOOL-WIDE PRACTICES
  • Principal Interview
  • Overview of School-wide practices and policies
  • Your team will interview an administrator in school
CULTURE & CLIMATE
  • Staff attitudes
  • Behaviors of school staff.
  • Phone etiquette
  • Interactions between staff, students and families. 
HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
  • Written materials
  • Announcements, newsletters, forms, school website, and electronic communication platforms

In the News

Check out our district spotlights, and read more about schools that have completed the assessments.

Walkthrough Resources

Exclusive toolkits and resources to get you started

info@cfsp.org
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