From Family Nights to Future Pathways: Engaging Communities in DLCS

Outline

5 min | Welcome & Introduction
Introduce session goals, outcomes, and connection to ISTE Standards and Transformational Learning Principles.

Brief overview of our schools DLCS Night is and why family and community engagement matters.

10 min | Planning DLCS Nights
Walk through step-by-step planning: objectives, age-appropriate activities, logistics, and promotion.

Example: Share sample planning templates and station ideas.

15 min | Hands-On Activities
Participants experience family-friendly DLCS activities (set up similar to how it would be done at our school.) Schoolwide Challenges — Whispering Ed-Tech
Discuss how it can be adapted for different grade levels within that station.
Try a second interactive activity (e.g., pixel art, Makey Makey, or digital citizenship game).

Highlight differentiation strategies for preK–8 learners.

10 min | Community & Career Connections
Hear how our school set up opportunities for speakers to come in.
Explore ways to invite guest speakers, industry professionals, and local college representatives.

10 min | Collaborative Planning Exercise
Small groups draft a mini DLCS Night plan tailored to their school/community.

Share ideas with other participants and discuss adaptations for inclusion and accessibility.

10 min | Reflection & Takeaways
Review key resources, templates, and strategies.

Quick Q&A and reflection: How will participants implement DLCS Nights in their own schools?

Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will:

Understand how to structure a Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Night from planning to implementation.

Access ready-to-use resources, planning templates, and promotional materials.

Experience interactive DLCS activities that can be adapted for family participation.

Learn strategies for differentiating activities to engage preK–8 learners.

Explore approaches for inviting community members, industry professionals, and guest speakers—both in person and virtually.

Gain ideas for extending learning through field trips to local colleges, universities, or organizations.

Leave with confidence in creating a family night that aligns with their school’s community context and focuses on STEAM, Digital Citizenship, Digital Literacy, and Computer Science.

Supporting research

https://www.powerschool.com/blog/why-parent-engagement-is-important-to-student-success/