Director Of Communications And Family Engagement (2024-2025 SY)

Department: Office of the Superintendent Job Title: Director of Communications and Family Engagement FLSA Status:

(Exempt/Non-exempt) Exempt; Non-Aligned Reports to: Superintendent of Schools In compliance with state and federal laws, newton public schools are committed to equity, anti-racism and a nondiscrimination policy for students, employees, and prospective applicants. All educational and employment determinations are based on an individual's qualifications and achievements without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, homelessness, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by state and/or federal statute.

Job Goals:

The Director of Communications and Family Engagement will be responsible for developing and supporting district-based family and community engagement systems and activities that create strong partnerships in support of teaching, learning, and student achievement. The Director will oversee all aspects of district-level communications, registration, and enrollment, and will provide support and work collaboratively with Newton Public Schools staff to create a welcoming environment that values families as full partners in the education of their children.

The Director of Communications and Family Engagement serves as a bridge between the school/school district with students' family and community partners. This position works with schools, families, and community partners to develop a welcoming climate in the schools, develops and leads family and community engagement strategies and activities. The Director coaches, supports and provides professional development to school staff and families in developing strong partnerships and enhances two-way communication. The position collaborates with school administration and staff, community partners as well as families to identify and develop family and community engagement strategies that promote student academic success. Director of Communications and Family Engagement supports growth and learning around family and community engagement best practices to school staff, community partners, and families.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Education or related field;

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in public school teaching and/or administration; DESE administrator licensure or ability to attain licensure preferred; and

• Bi- or multi-lingual preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively develop communication strategies related to organizational needs.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Understanding of K-12 education

• Self-motivated leader who takes the initiative to research the current trends in communication channels including effective use of digital and social media.

• Ability to analyze emergent situations and to determine implications for communication.

• Ability to plan and coordinate special events, projects, and activities.

Essential Job Duties (not limited to):

• Establish strong working relationships with senior administrators to develop community engagement activities that will reach a range of audiences.

• Develop a comprehensive communication strategy to support understanding of district goals and objectives.

• Interact with external and internal constituencies to ensure successful two-way communication.

• Develop a strategy to solicit feedback from stakeholders.

• Design, draft, and edit an array of written, digital, and video materials for distribution to the media and other outlets.

• Lead the organization-wide process of continually extracting information and turning this into useful information, and tools for broad distribution. This includes serving as executive editor for the Newton Public Schools' website.

• Develop innovative ways to enhance NPS visibility with key audiences.

• Work collaboratively with other IT personnel in the Technology Department.

• Advocate and adhere to the IT strategies, hardware and software standards, security policies and operational procedures of the Technology Department, which are consistently applied to all schools in the district. Complete other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Familiarity with Student Information Management Systems (SIMs).

• Experience working with culturally diverse students and families.

• Proven leadership and success in community outreach and family engagement

• Exceptional interpersonal and written communication skills.

• Experience working with families, implementing family programming, and engaging in community outreach efforts.

• Demonstrated ability to develop leadership skills in others.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, collaboratively, and as a self-starter.

• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and deliver results as a member of multiple teams.

• Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and management of the district's Family Engagement functional areas-such as proactive family engagement programs, family concern protocols, translation and interpretation support services, supervision, evaluation and management of the Family Center staff and other related family support programs.

• Collaborate with district and school staff to link family engagement with academic goals;

establish/evaluate/refine family engagement programs and activities developed as a result of gap goals; and increase the capacity of each school to provide opportunities, services and support to promote positive family engagement that leads to increased student achievement.

• Serve as an advisor to school staff, administration, and families on matters of family engagement.

• Establish and grow partnerships and engagement within the district with families, school sites, and community-based organizations (CBO) in support of student achievement.

• Develop and implement programs that develop family leadership and help families gain an understanding of school systems and their role as families in supporting their children's education.

• Support the implementation of community schools' programs that provide academic support, enrichment, and support services to students and their families.

• Facilitate effective communication strategies with non-English-speaking families regarding school and district issues and student progress.

• Support school-based attendance leads with professional learning opportunities around best practice, attendance strategies; develop, lead and facilitate the Community Truancy Board, direct and support the district truancy officer.

• Participate, manage, and lead community school-district collaborative work, teams, task forces, and other projects.

• Prepare program reports, applications, and grants related to family and community partnerships.

• Assist principals in hiring relevant staff related to bi-lingual para-educators and family support staff.

• Provide cohesion between the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office, the Teaching and Learning Office, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Offices.

• Collaborate with other relevant district and school staff to coordinate and facilitate professional development and learning opportunities regarding family and community engagement best practices.

• Provide school leaders with support to develop community partnership structures, provide ongoing professional development and school and community partner resources to ensure alignment to the district strategic plan.

• Collaborate and problem solve with staff working with families, community partners and the bilingual community.

• Monitor, track and report on schools' family and community engagement efforts.

• Perform occasional evening and weekend work to extend service to families.

• Other duties as assigned.

Performance Responsibilities

• Support the overall internal and external communication functions of the district. This includes working closely with the Superintendent and collaborating with district and city leadership to develop and disseminate communications.

• Develop and manage a communications plan and associated communications procedures, crisis and ad hoc communications needed by the Superintendent, and communications materials to advertise special initiatives and events.

• Oversee and coordinate the startup and operation of an NPS Family Welcome Center. Implement strategies to support teachers, school leaders, and other school staff in establishing connections and deepening partnerships with families.

• Supervise the registration team and the initial stages of registration and enrollment for all students in NPS.

• Support school-based teams to respond to the inquiries of incoming families in a culturally responsive and timely manner.

• Enhance family voice, leadership, and opportunities for partnership and feedback. Support teachers and other school staff to understand family and community context in order to provide necessary resources.

• Oversee and implement all aspects of district translation and interpretation to support communication with families whose first/home language is not English.

• Assist designated groups of families in need of support through light case management, referrals, and liaison work with APS staff and community agencies.

• Collaborate with the Department of English Learner Education (ELE) to establish an English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC).

• Collaborate with city agencies, officials, and service providers to ensure family and community access to services not offered or as enhancements to services within the Newton Public Schools.

• In partnership with building and curriculum leaders, organize and/or facilitate educational workshops and other learning opportunities for families on different subjects of interest and relevance to families and the community.

• Implement and strengthen a robust system for regular communications with families, particularly related to navigating the school system, district policies and procedures, events, and opportunities for family involvement.

• In partnership with Information Technology, oversee content on APS District Website for relevance and ease of use, and recommend necessary improvements to appropriate district staff.

• Work collaboratively with school PTOs.

• Develop and manage key community partnerships that support family engagement and support district-wide collaborations and initiatives to improve family engagement.

Terms of Employment

• Full-year position

• Reports to: Superintendent of Schools

• Salary Range: $115,000-$140,000

• Evaluation: Conducted by the Superintendent of Schools, evaluating registrar(s) and Welcome Center staff.

This revised job description aims to clearly outline the responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations for the Director of Communications and Family Engagement role, focusing on effective communication, community engagement, and collaboration to support student success within Newton Public Schools.

Date: 4/1/24