1. Start with a Kick-Off in August to begin to partner with families to make the transition smoother for all students. Welcoming the East families will be the beginning of the partnership between school and home and become the gateway for other parent involvement activities. When families feel welcome, valued and supported by the school they are more likely to work together with the school in supporting their child's education. Student, family, and community collaboration in transition planning has been linked to positive outcomes including higher graduation rates (Michaels & Ferrara, 2005). Kick-Off

4. It is important to saturate the community with information about the Kick-Off especially the parents of incoming students. Recommendations for advertising include: · Flyers · Notices through the mail · Facebook page · Twitter · District all-call system · Notice on the East CLC sign outside the school · Signs and posters up throughout the school Advertising the Kick-Off