Family Involvement
Parents and guardians play a vital role in the education of their children, and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) supports families being equal partners in student achievement.
When families and schools work together, students are more successful and the entire community benefits. MPS offers various opportunities for families to get involved in their children’s education, their school communities, and the district as a whole.
District Advisory Council (DAC)
Families can stay informed on and share ideas about the district’s Title I programs and priorities during monthly council meetings of the District Advisory Council (DAC). Each school sends two delegates to meetings; alternates may attend as well.
District Multilingual Multicultural Advisory Committee (DMMAC)
The District Multilingual Multicultural Advisory Committee (DMMAC) is composed of parents of English language learners (ELLs)—enrolled in bilingual or English as a Second Language (ESL) programs—and bilingual educators. Members of the committee share their views about ELL programs and advise the Milwaukee Board of School Directors to ensure that programming is planned, operated, and evaluated based on feedback from important stakeholders.
School Organizations
Family Leadership Organization (FLO)
A school’s Family Leadership Organization (FLO) is designed to promote family engagement. Meetings are an important way to get involved at your child’s school, ensuring that parents and family members can participate in discussion and decision-making that puts students’ needs first.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or Organization (PTO)
School spirit and student enrichment are on the agenda for Parent Teacher Associations and Organizations districtwide. Parents and guardians can contribute their expertise and ideas to improve the school community for all students.
School Engagement Council (SEC)
School policies, procedures, and student well-being are the work of School Engagement Councils, established in MPS in 1997. A school’s SEC brings together families, staff, students (when appropriate), and community members to support and inform shared leadership that can lead to increased student achievement.
Student Support
Parents and guardians can help improve student achievement by getting involved at home, too. Here’s how to help your child succeed:
- Make attendance a priority. There is an undeniable link between a student’s attendance and their overall success. Call your school attendance line when your child will be absent.
- Make sure your child arrives at school on time every day.
- Make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for school. Please let the school know if your student needs a coat or other outerwear.
- Communicate with your school. It is recommended that parents attend parent-teacher conferences and reach out anytime if there are concerns or changes that may affect students.
- Set realistic expectations. It is always important to set standards to ensure that our children are working towards achieving a goal. Make sure that these standards are realistic and attainable. By setting expectations, we can hold our students accountable for their education.
- Keep your child healthy. Make sure your child is getting enough rest and eating right. It is important that our students are prepared every day. By caring for your child’s physical, emotional, and mental health, you are ensuring that your child is ready to succeed in school.
- Ask for help. We understand that there are often obstacles that affect families. MPS staff members are here to help. If you would like to talk to a school counselor, psychologist, or social worker, please reach out. Our goal is to collaborate with parents and families to build a strong support network for our students.
Volunteer Opportunities
Want to make a difference for students? Whether you only have a day or you can dedicate a few hours a week, there are many ways to get involved with a school or with the district. Learn more about volunteering with MPS, or contact your child’s school to discover specific opportunities.