Family Engagement Plan

The 2025-2026 Family Engagement Plan (FEP) is organized into four impact areas. We will be working together this year to build positive and goal-oriented relationships in each area. Families and staff at school developed this plan together.

Welcoming Environment

Our school has staff member(s) available for families to discuss this plan and ask questions

• Principal: Kristen Lynch
• Assistant Principal: Laura Wagner

Our school communicates with families in many ways.

When families contact the school, we do our best to respond within 36 hours.

• Phone Calls, Text Messages, Emails
• Schoology Blasts/Messages
• Postcards
• Emailed and Mailed Newsletters
• School Website: http://creativearts.spps.org
• Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/sppscass
• Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/sppscass
• X: Follow us @sppscass

The achievement gap, or rather the “opportunity gap,” between students of color and white students in Saint Paul Public Schools is unacceptable. Our school is working to change practices and systems by identifying the barriers that make it harder for students of color to succeed and for their families to support their learning. 

• Utilize student data to identify areas of need-create learning plans based on data.
• Implementing AVID starting in grades 8th and 10th.
• Grade level retreats and targeted events for students and families
• Stronger connections through school-wide PBIS lesson plans.
• Increase events/activities to bring families and staff together: student showcase night, recognition/celebrations, community nights (monthly events)
• Events, partnerships, and learning led by peer student leaders: Genius Squad, Student Council, and GSA.
• Other parent course offerings around data, college readiness, etc. via Content/Grade level evening events and seminars via district offerings.
• Creative Arts Secondary Parent Advisory Council (PAC) supports efforts towards being an inclusive community with assistance from the District Family Engagement Office, District Parent Advisory Council, students, and families.

For more information about our racial equity work, contact Principal Lynch or Assistant Principal Wagner

Family Partnerships

Our school-parent compact establishes the shared responsibility for student success between the school, families, and students. Families and teachers work together to develop the compact.

• Copies of the compact are available at school and on the Creative Arts website.
• The compact is completed each Spring to prepare for the upcoming school year and will be reviewed in September when school resumes to set the stage for the year

There are many opportunities for families to build connections to the school and to each other.

• At the Title I Annual Meeting we will share information about the SCIP, Family Engagement Plan, School Compact, school programs and our year long calendar
• Quarterly parent meetings such as Parent Advisory, Boosters, learning sessions, cultural events, performances, community evenings, family evenings, etc.
• Grade Level Nights, College and Career Night, Technology Night, etc.
• Community bonding - parent/guardians leading and connecting to one another
• Family survey conducted to seek input regarding needs, wants, and desires distributed to incoming parents as well as current parents each spring
• National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) every February.

We work to make these meetings and events available for every family in the school.

• Find out the specific needs (language, hearing, sight) of families and be consistently inclusive.
• Interpreters, transportation, and food will be made available in the effort to eliminate barriers to participation.
• Personal, language specific invitations made by parents, students and school 

Our school supports families as advocates and provides opportunities for parent leadership

• Professional development opportunities include but are not limited to:
  • Parent/guardian representative on the Creative Arts Leadership Team
  • Parent Advisory Council - lead, plan, and organize events and committees.
  • Grade level events for families to connect to classrooms and learning.
• Review and seek input for the SCIP, Family Engagement Plan, and School Compact during the Parent Advisory meetings.  Monthly check-ins and updates if needed.
• School-wide Family nights - PAC will plan quarterly events to be held throughout the school year.
• Families can request information about teacher qualifications, help decide if the school is meeting student needs, and offer suggestions for overall improvement

Teaching and Learning

Our school shares information about state standards, assessment and student achievement with families in multiple ways

• Final grade report cards available to families. Mid-quarter progress grades are shared during conferences with families.
• Student of the Month Certificates every month
• Quarterly Conferences
• Intervention conferences for students who are at-risk in academic achievement and behavior if indicated - Done on individual and team basis as needed.
• Parent/guardian access to learning support tools available with Family Liaison.

Our school will engage families in Personalized Learning as a key strategy to accelerate student achievement, as these changes come to our school

• Families can support students and learning via Schoology and Parent Portal. Resources and tutorials for use of either can be provided by the Family Liaison.
• Families will be informed on how personalized learning through tailored instruction, student voice and choice, and differentiated instruction supports students in accelerating learning and achievement.
• Students will receive iPads in September or as determined by district directive.

Before and after-school enrichment and support opportunities are available for students

• Arts focused after school activities to extend learning - Art Club, Dance Team, Glee Club, Rock Band, Anime Club, Word Freaks
• National Honor Society and TRIO Program (with tutoring)
• Health and physical wellness Open Gym
• GSA and Student Equity Team

Community Partnerships

Our school develops community partnerships to provide additional support for students and their families

Connect with the district's Community Partnership department for tutors, shadow program, internships, and community evaluators for student work.

Many CASS staff have established partnerships with community resources like Ordway Center, Guthrie Theatre, TPT Television, young Artists Initiative, etc. Parents are also helpful in establishing community connections through their employers and/or contacts.

CASS has a partnership with Compas, ArtStart, and Communities in Schools to support learning, resilience, and belonging.