When families and schools partner, students thrive. “Yes, I Can” is more than a phrase, it’s a reminder of the power we have when we work together. By nurturing relationships and sharing responsibility, we create spaces where every child feels supported and every family feels seen, heard, and empowered.
We invite you to explore the tools, stories, and opportunities on this site. Share what speaks to you. Use this month to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the small actions that lead to big change. Let’s keep the momentum going, because when families engage, everyone benefits.
“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”
~ Christopher Reeve
Family Engagement Month Proclamation
from the Governor's Office
Together We Shine: Celebrating Those Who Make a Difference
Submit a message of appreciation
Celebrate Family Engagement Month with a Message of Thanks. When families and schools work together, research shows that students do better in school, relationships grow stronger, and entire communities become more connected. This November, help us honor the teachers and school staff who make a meaningful difference in the lives of children with disabilities and their families. If someone has gone above and beyond to support, connect, or enhance the school experience, we invite you to share a message of appreciation. Your words will be featured on our Family Engagement Month webpage as a heartfelt tribute to their dedication and impact.
Family Engagement Month Calendars
The Family Engagement Month calendars include activities and resources for families and educators that support student success while encouraging collaboration between families and schools. There are calendars for families of children Birth-2, Preschool-PreK, Elementary, Middle/High, and School calendar for educators.
Tool Time Tuesday Family Engagement Series
NOVEMBER 2025
We will kick off the Family Engagement Month Series on Tuesday, November 4th. Join us on Tuesdays at noon in November, we will share information, tools, and resources that families can use all year round!
November 4th: Keeping It Real: Honest Conversations, Stronger School Teams
Strong partnerships between families and educators are built on open communication, mutual respect, and trust. This session will explore practical ways to foster meaningful, ongoing dialogue between home and school. Learn how to ask the right questions, address concerns early, and communicate with clarity.
November 11th: Veteran’s Day – No Tool Time Today, ECAC Office is Closed
November 18th: 5-Minute Family Moments that Can Make a Big Impact
This practical session offers simple, meaningful ways for families to strengthen their connection with their child, no matter their schedule or their child’s unique strengths and needs.
November 25th: Family Engagement; Advocacy in Your Backyard
NC Child is a statewide advocacy organization that advocates for legislation and policy to improve the lives of children and families in NC. This session will introduce participants to how they can be an advocate for themselves and others in their community.
Presented by: Aimee Allen, Senior Manager of Parent and Family Engagement, NC Child
Call to Action for Families and Schools
Working together, we can cultivate an environment where every family feels valued and empowered to contribute to their child’s educational journey.
Call to Action for Families:
- Explore the Family Activity Calendar: These activities are tailored to include strategies for children with disabilities, fostering inclusivity and quality family time.
- Join the Tool Time Tuesday Webinar Series: The Tool Time Tuesday webinars will focus on resources and strategies to support families of children with disabilities.
- Create a Family Engagement Plan: Develop your own Family Engagement Plan, incorporating information and resources from the activity calendar and webinars. This plan could include generating questions for the IEP meeting, setting goals for family activities, identifying resources you need, and scheduling regular family check-ins to discuss progress.
Call to Action For Teachers:
- Make Connections: Reach out to every parent in your class via phone, text or email to share a positive message about their child. These positive interactions not only uplift families but can strengthen the bonds between home and school.
- Share Activity Calendars: Send families the Family Engagement Month Activity calendar filled with resources for families of children Birth to High School. These calendars are available on this webpage above.
- Explore Topics of Interest: Review the school activity calendar and identify topics that resonate with you and your families. Share at staff meetings.
Call to Action for Principals:
- Encourage Outreach: Inspire every teacher to connect with every parent in their class during Family Engagement Month. Personal communication lays the foundation for trust and meaningful Family Engagement.
- Dedicate Meeting Time: Set aside time during each staff meeting throughout November to focus on family engagement strategies and successes. Utilize the attached school activity calendar to identify key topics.
- Share Resources: Distribute the school activity calendar to your teachers. The calendar is filled with valuable resources and activities for teachers designed to inspire reflection and action that promote effective family engagement
Family Engagement Month Social Media
and Outreach Tools
Join the Conversation!
Check us out on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
Hashtags for Family Engagement Month
November is Family Engagement Month! You are your child’s first and most important teacher. This is a time to recognize the important role families play in the education and well-being of their children throughout the year. Use #FamiliesFEM to join the conversation.
What have you learned from having a sibling with a disability? #SiblingStrong
What is the best parenting advice you’ve ever received? #AdviceYes
Celebrate Family Engagement Month by sharing a photo of a “family symbol” that represents your family or your child’s journey. Use #SymbolFEM to join the conversation.
It’s all about relationships! Parents don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Use #CareFEM to join the conversation.
Effective Family Engagement is a shared responsibility between families, school and the community. Use #TogetherFEM to join the conversation.
What do educators need to know about families of children with disabilities? Use #ToKnow to join the conversation.
What’s the best thing an educator has done for you or your child? Use #TheBestFEM to join the conversation.
What do you do to take care of yourself? Use #CelebrateFEM to join the conversation.
Additional Resources
North Carolina’s early childhood system strives to be family-centered, equity-driven and collaborative. The Family Engagement and Leadership Framework, accessible on DCDEE’s FE&L Webpage, features Guiding Principles and information for agencies on meaningful family engagement and leadership.
The National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) is the first membership association focused solely on advancing family, school, and community engagement. Their mission is advancing high-impact policies and practices for family, school, and community engagement to promote child development and improve student achievement. https://nafsce.org/
