The Tauck Family Foundation hosted its fourth annual Investee Cohort Gathering at the University of Bridgeport.

The event began with a warm welcome and interactive icebreaker exercise, the “M&M Game”. Participants were given discussion prompts which corresponded to the candy colors. The questions helped participants better understand their own social and emotional skills and get to know others in the room.

Investees then shared updates, including the challenges and successes experienced in implementing their social and emotional learning approaches within their organizations over the past year.

The Foundation recognized Frances Rabinowitz, Interim Superintendent of the Bridgeport Public Schools, who concluded her service to the students and staff of the district on December 31, 2016.

Jennifer Miller, Author and SEL Consultant, moderated a panel discussion on “Meaningful Family Engagement and Social & Emotional Learning”. First, Bridgeport parents discussed the growth they have seen in their children as the social and emotional learning initiative continues underway in the Bridgeport Public Schools, as well as their hopes for their children and community. As experts, both of their children and the Bridgeport landscape, these parents provided an invaluable foundation of understanding for participants.

Then, Dr. Claire Crane, Director of the Center for Community Schools, Salem State University; Anne T. Henderson, Senior Consultant National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement; Dr. Michelle Albright, Psychologist and Former Director of Youth Services, Weston, CT; Dr. Stephanie Jones, Associate Professor Harvard University; and Kathryn Lee, M.A., Director of RULER for Families, shared examples of concrete strategies and tools participants could take back to their organizations as they work to better engage families.

Immediately following the panel discussion, attendees participated in problem of practice roundtables which led to richer discussion around ways to engage families more meaningfully. The range of discussions varied from being culturally responsive when working to include families and communities to maintaining start of school year momentum of strong family engagement through the end of the school year.

The evening concluded with an empowering call to action from Bridgeport parents who have witnessed firsthand the power of social and emotional development. Participants were also encouraged to share with the entire group tools and/or strategies they will use with families in the coming months.

It was a great evening!