Federal Way school district receives $100,000 Gates grant

Published 3:45 pm Monday, April 7, 2014

The Federal Way Public Schools’ (FWPS) Family and Community Partnership Office was recently announced as a recipient of a $100,000 Gates Foundation grant to continue heightened efforts to engage parents through innovative district programs.

This is the second year that FWPS has received the grant. The money will benefit the district’s Dynamic Home Visit program, development of parent and community partnership materials, a district-wide partnership summit to be held next fall and professional development.

“Collectively, all of these activities will help us do a better job of supporting teachers and school level staff, as they work with students and families to create effective partnerships,” said Trise Moore, FWPS director of Family and Community Partnerships.

A comprehensive approach to engaging families, along with national recognition, helped the district earn the grant, Moore noted. FWPS has a district-wide policy that promotes family engagement.

Family liaisons at several schools support families and encourage involvement at the schools. Students throughout the district have made positive progress because of these partnerships. The district’s work has been recognized by the Harvard Family Research Project and the Road Map Project.

“I’m incredibly excited about the progress we’re making to honor families as partners in our effort to support success for every child in our district,” Moore said. “The department’s Parent Leadership team members, the family liaisons, the district’s Title I Director Wanda Billingsly, and Superintendent (Rob) Neu have played a significant role in helping us strengthen and sustain the work that continues to be recognized both on a local and national level.”

For more information about the Family and Community Partnership Office, visit www.fwps.org/districtresources/family/.