Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Among its tools to help students reach their greatest potential, Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) works collaboratively with families through education, engagement and empowerment, or what the district refers to as Family E3.

"We strongly believe that families and schools are equal partners in students' success," said Abby Walker, director of community engagement for SBISD. "Each plays a critical role as a champion for Every Child to not just survive but thrive academically, socially and emotionally."

Family E3's robust framework outlines specific expectations at the district, school, family and community levels. The initiative is committed to building relationships, linking strategies to learning, embracing diversity, supporting advocacy and sharing the power to achieve the best possible outcome for every SBISD student. Specifically, Family E3 strives to fulfill the following promises:

• Educate: Share knowledge, skills and resources to equip families to support the whole child's development.
• Engage: Foster intentional collaborations between schools, families and communities on behalf of Every Child.
• Empower: Equip, encourage and expect families to advocate for the success of their children, their schools and SBISD.

As part of Family E3, SBISD hosts on-campus workshops and classes designed to empower families to help their children succeed in the classroom. Recently, the SBISD Family E3 team held a seminar on STAAR testing preparation, which emphasized the importance of placing routines and structures in the home and developing other healthy habits to help students perform at their best.

"Topics covered in Family E3 workshops and other programs are invaluable to our parents and how they can best support their children along their academic journeys," said David Rodriguez, principal of Spring Branch Elementary.

Another example is the Latino Family Literacy Project. Like a book club, the goal is to improve parents' and students' first and second languages. During the nine-week session, a new (fully bilingual) book is introduced to parents each week so they may read with their children at home.

SBISD's Parent U series is another program that supports the goals of Family E3. Through Parent U, parents and families can take advantage of various resources that cover topics ranging from how to deal with emotional trauma to promoting healthy and safe online and in-person relationships. Upcoming Parent U sessions include “Special Education Accommodations in College” on April 28 and “Building Mentally Fit Families” on May 10.

In addition, Family E3 provides professional development workshops and resources for SBISD staff to support their family engagement efforts.

Established in 2016, Family E3 is SBISD’s vision for each school in the district to become a partner with families, sharing responsibility and commitment to champion the success of Every Child.

“We believe in the power of families as learners, partners and advocates and in their ability to support their children’s learning. Family E3 supports and strengthens their capacity to do so,” said Walker. “By giving families mechanisms to be actively engaged in their children’s academic experience, the sky is the limit on what our students will be able to accomplish.”

For more information about SBISD’s Family E3 efforts, or to register for upcoming Parent U events, visit the Spring Branch ISD E3 website.