For many families, school is one of the few remaining places where they can connect and create community. Neighborhoods have changed. Extended family may live far away. Caregivers work long hours and juggle too much. And even when families gather in the same space—at pickup, back-to-school night, or the sidelines of a Friday night football game—phones stay out and conversations stay surface-level. It’s easy to feel alone, even when surrounded by others.
This isolation makes it hard to know what’s typical, especially for first time parents or guardians. Without other families to talk to, many caregivers are left to guess whether their child’s behavior is expected, whether their concerns are valid, or whether they’re doing something wrong. When families don’t have a community to share with, it becomes harder to support children through social challenges, emotional growth, or academic ups and downs.
This is where schools can step in. Not just to share information, but to help restore a sense of belonging.
Support Means More Than Logistics
Most schools are good at providing logistical updates. Families receive welcome packets, event calendars, and supply lists, and while these may help inform them of what’s going on in the classsroom, they don’t address the questions that many caregivers struggle with. How much screen time is too much? When should a parent step into friend drama? What’s typical behavior for a fourth grader, and when should they worry?
Educators, on the other hand, have worked with hundreds of students across age groups. They know what’s typical. They recognize when something needs attention. And they have the language to name it. That knowledge can help families breathe easier and when schools share this knowledge, it builds trust with their families while setting students up for success.
Creating Spaces Where Families Can Connect
Instead of relying only on presentations or email updates, schools can offer in-person opportunities that feel more like conversations. Set up tables, use name tags, and guide caregivers through topics that matter, such as emotional development, peer relationships, and setting boundaries at home. Give them a chance to hear from each other and from educators who have experience working with their child’s age level.
Even a few gatherings like this can have a lasting effect. Families walk away not just with ideas, but with a sense that they aren’t navigating this alone.
Why This Matters for Students
When caregivers feel connected, informed, and confident, students benefit. Families who understand what’s typical are less likely to panic during normal ups and downs. They’re more willing to partner with teachers, more comfortable asking questions, and more likely to show up for their students when it counts.
This kind of trust isn’t built in a day. But when schools take the time to include families in meaningful ways, it builds a stronger culture where children, families, and educators all feel supported.
For more ways to create stronger school-family partnerships, listen to episode 111 of Teaching Channel Talks with Dr. Wendy Amato and parent consultant, Peyten Williams. Their conversation explores how schools can better support the adults behind every student, and why that support makes a difference.
