Caregiver Councils

Last year the district and Union Elementary School began Caregiver Councils to great success. This year each school will start a council and the district’s council will continue. The purpose of these groups is for school-based and district leadership to have a direct connection to caregivers so that we can better meet the needs caregivers have. These groups are not meant as a competitor to our amazing MRPS Partners in Education (PIE) organization. PIE organizes community events, raises money for tons of fun “extras” our kids enjoy, and brings caregivers together in meaningful ways. If you are interested in learning more about MRPS PIE, check out their website. They are always looking for more people to be connected with the schools and each other through their awesome work.


The Caregiver Councils work at a more detailed, systems level. Council members meet monthly with either the principal and assistant principal (the school based council) or with the superintendent, director of curriculum, director of student supports, communications coordinator, and director of social emotional learning and wellness (the district-wide council). Last year, after analyzing caregiver surveys, the UES Caregiver Council was instrumental in starting monthly coffees with the principal and central office leaders on different topics in an attempt to bridge communication gaps. The District’s Caregiver Council gave incredibly helpful feedback on how we could quickly and succinctly state what was in our budget and helped us analyze a district-wide caregiver survey that was sent out in the spring.

District Caregiver Council

Interested in helping the district leaders become better communicators about our vision, mission, and values? Please consider signing up for the MRPS Caregiver Council. Last year council members designed and analyzed a caregiver survey, learned a lot about our systems of academic and SEL supports we offer, helped get the message out regarding our budget, etc... They quickly became an integral part behind the scenes for our messaging. We would love to have more members! 

We meet monthly on Thursdays around lunch time. We provide lunch for everyone from someplace local around town. If a virtual meeting better meets your needs, we can make that work as well! Thank you for considering.

Purpose

The MRPS Caregiver Council is composed of caregiver representatives from each school. They meet with the Superintendent, Director of Curriculum & Technology, Director of Student Services, Director of Social Emotional Learning & Wellness, and Communications Specialist on a monthly basis during the school year. Members work together to:

  • identify common needs and goals among the caregivers of students enrolled in MRPS;

  • provide the District administrative team with feedback and insight from the caregiver's perspective on district processes, procedures, and system development efforts;

  • ensure that the needs of caregivers are considered as decisions are made in the district particularly in the areas of special education, social emotional learning, communications, and curriculum and teaching;

  • bring to the District leadership’s attention existing and emerging issues expressed by caregivers across the district;

  • serve as an advisory, not a decision-making body, that makes recommendations, encourages brainstorming, and provides opportunities for caregiver involvement;

  • facilitate communication between and among the caregivers and MRPS PIE; 

  • serve as a forum for sharing innovations and best practices from around the district.

Council Basis for Establishment

The Caregiver Council to the Superintendent is composed of caregiver representatives from each school. They meet with the superintendent and other district staff on a monthly basis during the school year to discuss a variety of topics, share information, and broaden understanding of school-related issues.

Council Meeting Information 

For the 2024-2025 school year, the council will meet monthly on Thursdays around lunch time. Exact dates TBD.

SCHOOL Caregiver Councils

Union Elementary School

 
 

Main Street Middle School

Montpelier High School

FY24 Family-School Relationships Survey

Please click through the slides below for an initial, district level summary of the favorability scale questions included in the FY24 Family-School Relationships Survey. A more robust report will be published in the fall of 2024.