Family Engagement Plan

The Family Engagement Plan (FEP) is organized into four impact areas. We will be working together this year to build positive and goal-oriented relationships in each area. Families and staff at school developed this plan together.

Welcoming Environment

Our school has staff member(s) available for families to discuss this plan and ask questions

• Gretchen Ray-Jensen

Our school communicates with families in many ways.

1. Monthly Newsletter- School and Classroom
2. Automated calls
3. School Website
4. Emails
5. Individual Phone Calls
6. Classroom Apps- Seesaw and Schoology
7. Talking Points
8. Text Messages
9. Google Meet Sessions
10. Flyers

Communication Expectations:  When families call or email, Vento will try to respond within 24 hours through a note, phone call, or email.    

The achievement gap, or rather the “opportunity gap,” between students of color and white students in Saint Paul Public Schools is unacceptable. Our school is working to change practices and systems by identifying the barriers that make it harder for students of color to succeed and for their families to support their learning. 

• For more about our work on racial equity, contact: Principal, Nicky Napierala

Transitions between schools can be challenging, and we work to help families as their children start and leave our school. For new students and families, we support the transition by:

• Welcome Calls (individual calls made to new families)
• Pre-K Playdate (August)
• Pre-K and Kindergarten Welcome Meetings (First 2 days of school)
• School Tours
• Fall Open House
• Resources to support transition for new students and families
• Early Learning Transition to Kindergarten Sessions
• 5th Grade Middle School Sessions (Spring 2026)

Elementary Schools:

SPPS Office of Early Learning builds a relationship with Head Start programs.  Bruce F. Vento Elementary focuses on building relationships with preschool families focused on creating a connection prior to their children starting Pre-K.

• For students and families moving to the next school in their pathway, we support the transition by:
• Pre-K and Kindergarten families visit for, “Family Day.” Family days take place in the Fall and Spring each school year.
• Families can set up school tours to learn about all Bruce F. Vento Elementary has to offer.
• 5th Grade participates in a mock Middle School Day at Vento to support the transition.

Family Partnerships

Our school-parent compact establishes the shared responsibility for student success between the school, families, and students. Families and teachers work together to develop the compact.

Copies of the compact are available:

• School Main Office, Family Center, Fall Open House, APTT and Conferences.  
• The Compact is available on the Bruce Vento Elementary website under the About section under Title l.  

The compact will be updated:

• The compact will be updated:  Spring 2026

There are many opportunities for families to build connections to the school and to each other.

• Title I Annual Meeting where we will share information about school programs- Fall 2025    
• Family Connect Circles- Bi-Weekly Wednesdays at 7:30 am
• Take your family to school day
• National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) February, 2026
• Movie Night
• Fall Family Night
• National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) will be on February 2026  
• APTT (Academic Parent Teacher Teams) October 2025, February 2026, and April 2026
• School Carnival- June 2026
• Home Visits – Vento staff connect with families through home visits when it is the best option for the family.  Social Workers and Teachers schedule visit times.

We work to make these meetings and events available for every family in the school.

• Interpreters are available during the school day, after-school, and at school events.
• Vento staff works to provide opportunities to connect with families at a variety of times.  To support families who attend events we make every effort to provide childcare, food, and transportation when needed.  
• School meetings are held at various times to support all families schedules.  Staff make every effort to schedule meetings at times that work best for families.
• Flyers and phone calls are sent out in four languages to ensure all families can gain information regarding upcoming events, activities, and other important content.

Our school supports families as advocates and provides opportunities for parent leadership.

• Site Council – Meets monthly, either in person or virtually, to discuss important topics related to Vento and gather family input. Families co-lead the council.
• Families help plan and provide feedback on staff development opportunities focused on effectively engaging and supporting families. Feedback is provided during family circle time.  
• Families provide feedback on ways to improve the school through in-person surveys, family circles, family events, and participation in the Site Council.

Teaching and Learning

Our school shares information about state standards, assessment and student achievement with families in multiple ways

• Report cards and progress reports will be distributed during school conferences and are available upon request through the main office.   
• Parent-Teacher conferences are held November 2025 and March 2026
• APTT - Academic Parent Teacher Teams (APTT), takes place three times a year to support community building with grade level families, individual grade support, as well as structured activities to assist in student growth and learning.   
• Families at Bruce Vento Elementary receive information on how to support reading at home through handouts, activities, and games provided during Family Circles and reading-focused family events. 
• Elementary students not reading at grade level will receive support in reading interventions, small group instruction, and focus on building phonics skills
• Family nights will be held to enhance skills being taught in the classroom as well as after school family enrichment sessions will occur three times over the course of the school year

Our school will engage in personalized learning as a key strategy to accelerate student achievement. Parents can get more information using many tools.

• Parent log-in information can be accessed at spps.org/onestop or by asking the school clerk
• iPads will be utilized in classrooms to support learning while enhancing academic growth
• Classroom teachers share important information through class newsletter, Schoology and/or Seesaw, Talking Points and on the classroom webpage.  Upcoming assignments as well as students' work may be shared to engage families in classroom activities.

Many before- and after-school enrichment and support opportunities are available for students

• EDL, Beacons of Success, and Wilder Recreation Center Programs.  Programming is offered at Bruce Vento Elementary Monday through Thursday from 2 pm until 4 pm
• Extended programming is offered through Discovery Club after school

Community Partnerships

Our school develops community partnerships to provide additional support for students and their families

• EveryMeal, Family Values for Life, Neighborhood House, Community Stabilization Project, Second Harvest, Hmong American Partnership (HAP), C.L.U.E.S., American Indian Family Center, Metropolitan State University, Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative, Urban League, Arlington Hills Library, Wilder Recreation Center, Urban Roots, Midwest Food Group, SNAP Extension Programs, St. Paul Parks and Recs Programs, Neighborhood House, Lutheran Social Services, and East Side Freedom Library

This plan is available as part of our school’s SCIP, or School Comprehensive Improvement Plan. Printed copies are available in the office.