Engagement Without Attendance
Family engagement is one of the strongest predictors of student success, but in today’s world, showing up to campus events is not always realistic for many families. Work schedules, limited transportation, health concerns, and competing responsibilities often mean that even the most supportive parents cannot attend college nights, FAFSA workshops, or senior meetings.
Which leads us to the core issue: How can we make our events accessible to families who cannot attend?
The Balancing Act
Senior year can feel like a tightrope walk—students balancing deadlines, dreams, and shifting circumstances while we, as counselors, try to steady the line beneath them.
We’ve all been there: investing in their post-secondary ambitions, dreaming alongside them, and wanting their success almost as much as they do - only to watch those plans wobble or fall. Whether it’s a missed deadline or a change in circumstances, these moments can feel discouraging. Yet, as counselors, our role is not to mourn the missteps but to help students regain balance and find their footing again. Deadlines and shifting plans are part of the journey, but they don’t define a student’s future. Our responsibility is to serve as guides, not gatekeepers, reminding students that setbacks are temporary and resilience—not perfection—is what carries them forward.
Bridging the Family-School Engagement Gap
The heart of a thriving educational community is the partnership between schools and families. With the invaluable insights gained from vibrant conversations with 128 families across 14 districts, Contigo Ed is excited to share strategies that emerged. These gems of wisdom are part of our collaborative Phase I consultation services we offer to districts.