Communicating Enrichment Programs to Families in Your Principal Newsletter

Enrichment programs are among the most valuable things a school can offer and among the most consistently underenrolled by the families who would benefit most from them. The families who know how to find enrichment and how to advocate for their children's access to it are rarely the families who need it most. The newsletter is how the school closes that gap.

Name what enrichment programs are available

Publish a clear list of every enrichment offering at the school: in-school pull-out programs, after-school programs, external partnerships, and one-time enrichment events. Include:

• Program name
• Subject or skill focus
• Which grade levels are eligible
• Whether it is open enrollment or selected
• Schedule and cost

Families who do not know a program exists cannot pursue it. A complete list makes invisible programs visible.

Explain how students are selected

Selection criteria that are opaque generate the perception that enrichment is political. Criteria that are described clearly generate trust:

'Students are recommended for the advanced math enrichment track by their classroom teacher, based on benchmark assessment results and classroom performance. Families can also self-refer by contacting [name]. We review all referrals on a rolling basis.'

Opening the referral path to families is one of the most effective ways to improve equitable access to enrichment.

Address equity in access directly

Many schools have enrichment programs where the enrollment demographics do not reflect the school community. The newsletter is an appropriate place to name this and describe what the school is doing about it:

'We have reviewed our enrichment enrollment data and recognize that certain student groups are underrepresented. This year, we have expanded our referral process and are actively reaching out to families of students who meet the criteria but have not yet been recommended. If you believe your child should be considered for any enrichment program, please reach out directly.'

Share what students in enrichment programs are doing

One or two sentences per quarter about what enrichment students are working on keeps the program visible to families whose children are not yet enrolled and reinforces the value of participation for families whose children are:

'Our fourth-grade engineering enrichment students are currently designing and testing water filtration systems using materials from the science supply closet. Three of their designs will be presented at the spring STEM showcase.'

Daystage makes it easy to include a standing enrichment update in each monthly newsletter with program descriptions, enrollment windows, and student spotlight highlights.