Family-Friendly Britt ES welcomes Superintendent Dr. Barge

Britt Elementary students in Gwinnett County will show the state’s highest ranking education official just how family-friendly their school is. Students, along with their teachers and administrators, will welcome the State Superintendent of Schools next week. Dr. Barge is scheduled to visit the school on Tuesday, Nov. 27. The program begins at 9:00 a.m.

Britt Elementary is one of only three schools from across the state selected for this honor. The Gwinnett school, along with two others in Houston County, were selected because they represent the best in customer service for Georgia families, whether it’s on the phone, at the front office or on the Internet. The Georgia Department of Education highlights Britt Elementary and the two other schools saying:

• The schools have welcoming staff members, comfortable waiting areas, clear signage and engaging student work throughout the building.
• They have easy-to-navigate websites and are forging partnerships with parents to help improve student achievement.
• The schools provide unique, engaging, and innovative parent engagement programming that is successful in reaching all families in the school.

 “These schools are models for the entire state on how to engage families and make parents feel welcome from the moment they walk in the door,” said State Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Barge. “We must find more ways to get parents involved in the education of their children, whether it’s online or in person.”

As part of the selection process, each school received phone calls and visits from “parents” looking for information or assistance. They also received a walk-through by department staff members, who conducted interviews with school workers, parents, students, and community members.

In addition to Britt Elementary winning the award, Snellville Middle, another South Gwinnett Cluster school, was honored as a finalist. The Gwinnett County Board of Education saluted both schools during its November monthly Board meeting for the work faculty and staff do every day to strengthen relationships with stakeholders.