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How Otter Lake Elementary Transformed Family Engagement, Starting with a Meal

A principal’s fresh approach brought families together through intentional social interaction, sparking a new era of inclusivity,  volunteerism, and community-driven success at Otter Lake Elementary.

Idea from Ang Nelson. Angela.Nelson@ISD624.org, 651-653-2843

A New Approach to Family Engagement and Building Connections

Last year was a turning point for Otter Lake Elementary, where Ang Nelson, newly appointed principal, aimed to bring a fresh perspective to family engagement. When the experienced principal transitioned to Otter Lake, a historically white school with shifting demographics, the goal became clear: engage all families, especially those from BIPOC communities, and create a more inclusive school environment.

To achieve this, Ang partnered with the equity department and secured a grant to host an innovative community dinner, modeled after Marnita's Table—a concept known as an IZY (Intentional Social Interaction). The dinner was a simple yet powerful idea: bring people together over food and conversation to build connections. The outreach was personal and intentional. The team called every BIPOC family, invited them personally, and even provided translators to ensure everyone felt included. High school volunteers from BIPOC affinity groups facilitated the event, taking the lead to ensure everyone participated fully.

As the community gathered, the real magic began. After a shared meal featuring diverse local cuisines, the attendees were shuffled to different tables, breaking up their original seating arrangements. Conversation cards with low-risk questions, like "What are your hopes and dreams for your student?" helped families connect with people they wouldn’t normally interact with. The evening ended with a powerful circle, led by the high school students, where families then shared their aspirations for Otter Lake, creating a sense of unity and collective vision for the school.

Establishing the Family Advisory Council and Expanding Family Engagement

The event didn’t stop at just building relationships. It sparked the creation of a Family Advisory Council, separate from the PTA, to help guide family engagement efforts and advise the school on key issues like curriculum and playground design. The first meeting saw a strong turnout, with families setting goals for the year and actively participating in the school’s decision-making process.

The success of the dinner was undeniable. So much so that this year, the principal and team decided to kick off the school year with another dinner—this time with 400 people attending! The staff, initially unsure of how effective the event would be, were floored by the turnout and the connections made. Teachers integrated themselves into the mix, getting to know parents and helping to bridge gaps between home and school.

Following the dinner, the school took the momentum and ran with it. At their welcome-back conferences, they asked every parent face-to-face if they’d be interested in volunteering. The results were astounding: over half the families signed up, with 250 parents showing interest. The key to this success? Asking personally. The school took even hesitant “maybes” as yeses and sent out background checks, which parents eagerly filled out.

Developing a Volunteer Program and Addressing Concerns

With such a large number of volunteers, Principal Nelson had a bold idea: shift the role of one of their clerical assistants to become a parent volunteer coordinator. This "office manager" role became crucial in organizing parents into meaningful roles within the school. She worked with each grade level to determine their needs, from preparing classroom materials to helping with intervention blocks for literacy and math. Every day, five to 15 parents now come into the school, helping in various capacities without needing detailed lesson plans, just a willingness to engage with the students.

There were, of course, some initial hesitations from teachers, especially around confidentiality and expectations for parent volunteers. To address this, the school developed a "code of ethics" for volunteers, outlining district policies, appropriate behavior, and confidentiality rules. Volunteers signed off on this, which provided a sense of accountability and trust between the school and its volunteers.

The Impact of Family Engagement on School Culture and Student Success

As the volunteer program grew, the positive impact became clear. Not only did the school's culture shift, but the presence of parents and grandparents also brought joy and energy into the building. Teachers embraced the process, and now, every day, the school is buzzing with engaged parents helping to support the students.

The principal is excited to see how this increased engagement will impact student achievement, especially with reading scores. But beyond academics, this initiative has fostered a sense of community and belonging at Otter Lake. Families are now more connected to the school, teachers are building deeper relationships with parents, and students are thriving in an environment where they see their community fully integrated into their learning experience.

At Otter Lake, the school has truly become a reflection of the larger community, where everyone—families, staff, and students—works together to support each other. It's a joyful and united place, proving that when a school opens its doors wide and says “yes” to new ideas, transformative things can happen.