10 Back-to-School Tips to Engage Low-income and Migrant Families

Amidst the excitement and anticipation of the back-to-school season comes the anxiety and fear of engaging our hard-to-reach families. For low-income and migrant families, this time can bring unique challenges that schools and nonprofits play a crucial role in addressing. Here are ten valuable back-to-school tips for schools and nonprofits committed to serving low-income and migrant families.

1. Collaborate with Local Schools and Nonprofits

Nonprofits can forge partnerships with local schools to understand their specific needs and collaborate on programs that cater to low-income and migrant students.

Schools can build and share their community partner directory with categories based on services (Legal, Housing, Food, etc.). Keeping this in a simple digital format assures next year's team will be able to own and update it.

ReachWell Tip: ReachWell schools and nonprofits promote one another via banners and resources to double their impact on families.

2. Provide Educational Workshops

Host workshops for parents and caregivers that focus on navigating the education system, helping with homework, and supporting their children's learning journey. These workshops can empower parents to actively participate in their children's education.

Schools can share their space with nonprofit partners to run a Parent Academy workshop before drop-off and after pickup. Parent Academy content should focus on navigating the education system, helping with homework, and supporting their children's learning journey. These workshops can empower parents to actively participate in their children's education. Utilize AI or live language translation tools to make it an inviting environment. Record the sessions for later viewing.

ReachWell Tip: Add these events to both the school and nonprofit calendars. Send announcements three weeks ahead of time with weekly reminders to RSVP and include translation as an RSVP option. Share the recording community-wide after the session to reach those who are unable to make it. Set the expectation that all families do this.

3. Language and Cultural Support

For migrant families, language barriers and cultural differences can be significant challenges. Offer language assistance services and culturally sensitive resources to ensure that parents can communicate effectively with teachers and school administrators.

4. Offer Financial Assistance
Low-income families often struggle to afford school-related expenses. Schools can partner with nonprofits to provide financial assistance for items like uniforms, textbooks, and extracurricular activities. Create a transparent application process to ensure those in need can access this support.

ReachWell Tip: Expect no family to fill this out. Combat that by setting the expectation that all families complete this regardless if they need it or not. ReachWell can translate this form and push translated messages with instructions to families via the app, text, and website.

5. Start Early and Raise Awareness

Launch your back-to-school initiatives well before the academic year begins (though it's never too late). As a nonprofit, raise awareness in the community about available resources, such as school supplies, educational workshops, and health services.

As a school promote back-to-school night, first day, and registration deadlines with clear instructions.

ReachWell Tip: Leverage messages, banners, texting, website, and social posts with ReachWell to get the word out. Verify the calendar is updated with all relevant times and locations.

6: Offer Tutoring and Homework Help
Create after-school tutoring programs or homework help sessions for students who may need additional academic support. Enlist volunteers, including high school or college students, to provide one-on-one assistance.

7. Promote Health and Well-being
Good health is crucial for effective learning. Arrange health check-ups, vaccinations, and eye exams for students, especially those from families without access to regular healthcare. Provide resources on nutrition and physical activity as well.

ReachWell Tip: Incorporate your community partners in your ReachWell banners, resources, and calendar events to increase community awareness.

8. Digital Access and Literacy
In the digital age, having access to technology is essential for education. Work to bridge the digital divide by providing laptops, tablets, or internet connectivity to families who cannot afford them. Additionally, offers digital literacy workshops to ensure both students and parents can effectively use technology for learning.

9. Foster a Positive Learning Environment
Create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for students and their families. Organize back-to-school events that celebrate diversity and encourage community bonding. When families feel connected and valued, students are more likely to thrive academically.

ReachWell Tip: Update the colors, icons, and banners on the app to celebrate the diversity in the community.

10. Rinse and Repeat

Learn from your activity during back-to-school and apply those changes to next semester's activities. Engagement is not a once-a-year event, to build trust and resilient relationships consistent events throughout the year are needed.

ReachWell Tip: Try offering meetings at different times of the day on different days of the week to learn what works best. Before school vs. after school will draw different families.

The back-to-school season is a time of promise and excitement for all children, regardless of their background or circumstances. Nonprofits serving low-income and migrant families have the incredible opportunity to ensure that these students have the support and resources they need to succeed. By following these 10 back-to-school tips, these organizations can make a lasting impact on the lives of these families, promoting equity, education, and empowerment in their communities.