Nathan Twining Middle School - Grand Forks Air Force Base, ND

Nathan F. Twining Middle School is a great place to grow and learn as a student. The staff works tirelessly to engage students and their families. The strategies and ways the staff choose to engage with the students and family varies from person to person. Some teachers start the year off with asking parents to write a letter introducing their child to their teacher, since parents know their children well. This helps get parents engaged early and opens lines of communication in case a problem arises later on. Other staff members have student shout-out walls in their classrooms so students can recognize each other when another student goes above and beyond. Teachers take the time to build relationships with students and stress the importance of having someone in the building students feel comfortable talking too.

Parents and families are encouraged to help their students with projects and assignments. Students are encouraged to interview their parents/family members at various holidays to learn more about their past and heritage. Twining also holds assemblies to celebrate students' successes and invites parents and families to participate in those. There is nothing better than being able to see families and teachers visiting with each other waiting to celebrate their student's success. It's special when parents stop to talk to previous teachers because that's when the Twining staff knows they have been successful at engaging students and families in supporting their students.