Elementary School Bilingual Family Coordinator

Who We Are:

School in the Square (S2) is a fast-growing charter school currently serving elementary and middle school students, with plans to serve families from Pre-K - 12 with the opening of a high school with 9th grade in Fall, 2023.  S2 engages, educates and empowers its students to respond mindfully and creatively to life’s opportunities and challenges. Drawing its name from the concept of the public square or “la placita”, our mantra is “Relationships First”. S2 is where communities come together to solve problems and celebrate successes. Here, students, families and educators are seen, heard, and inspired. S2 students build the academic foundations, social-emotional intelligence, and the leadership skills necessary to excel in college and professional life. Our community is grounded in principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusivity (JEDI), enacting a culturally responsive and sustaining lens to our pedagogical practice and consistently examining the ways we can continue to walk firmly in the pursuit of social justice and against injustice of any kind. 

We take seriously our obligation as an anchor institution in our community. We understand that our students’ ability to learn is directly impacted by their access to basic needs. Through our Family Support Program, we support over 200 families every month with bimonthly food pantries and other essential services, including internet hotspots and rent relief.

Our Bilingual Family Coordinator:

Reporting to the Director of Advocacy & Engagement, the Family Coordinator holds an important role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for families. The Family Coordinator is also charged with identifying issues of concern to families and working with school leaders to ensure that these issues are addressed in a timely manner. The Family Coordinator helps families access a broad array of supports and services, both formal and informal, that promote the well-being of families and their children. Through the family support program, family council, resource fairs, and S2 programming, the Family Coordinator along with other team members and in collaboration with school-based staff, will place emphasis on the value of sustainability. The Family Coordinator is a pivotal role in engaging families and involving them in our school communities, allowing S2 to continue to become part of the Washington Heights and Inwood Community as it continues to expand beyond serving our universe of over 700 families daily.

The Family Coordinator will be responsible for: 

• Family Engagement

  • Conduct outreach to engage families in their children’s education and maintain open lines of communication with families
  • Build relationships with families that support ongoing communication and involvement in school activities
  • Serve as facilitator for family concerns and issues including, for example, school policies or facilities issues
  • Foster an attitude of cooperation and positive support with all school patrons and families
  • Work to build and support the Family Council to provide assistance in establishing by-laws, holding elections and conducting their affairs
  • Organize events to increase family and community involvement and create a welcoming school environment to families
  • Convene regular family meetings and events around topics of key concerns to families
  • Attend family meetings along with the principal, where appropriate
  • Work closely with all school, family and community organizations to increase family involvement

  Family Programs

  • Support in the implementation of family programs
  • Support in coordination and execution of bi-weekly food pantries
  • Research opportunities and partnerships to develop S2 pantry and family programs

  Communications

  • Support in the creation and maintenance of systems to manage student and family information appropriately
  • Train families in Alma and Parent Square so that they may access information about their student's progress
  • Create and proofread professional correspondence including letters, newsletters and other deliverables as needed

  Student Recruitment

  • Support school wide student recruitment efforts that promote the school and its student application, lottery and enrollment processes
  • Promote and represent the school at fairs, open houses and community events as appropriate
  • Willingly complete other tasks and projects assigned by the Chief Program and Engagement Officer

Expected salary range for this role is $40,000 - $55,000, depending on experience.

Who You Are:

• Able to communicate fluently in English and Spanish, with a preference for written communication skills
• A self-starter with 2 or more years of experience working with families and parents in education and/or community issues. (i.e., community organizing, coalition building, project/program managing), preferably in an urban charter school setting
• A solutions-focused thinker with strong communication, planning and time management skills
• A high degree of comfort and confidence engaging with children and interfacing with families/caregivers
• Committed to building school, family and community partnerships that support improved student outcomes
• Self-reflective with the capacity to accept and implement feedback to improve performance
• Flexible and optimistic, with a “whatever it takes” spirit to ensure that each student is successful

What You Can Expect From Us:

At S2 we take as much care of our teachers and staff as we do of our students.  S2 is committed to supporting our teachers by helping them build sustainable, rewarding careers that center on each educator’s passions and multi-disciplinary interests.  All of our faculty and staff are valued professionals and we are proud to provide some flexibility on remote work, team-building and collaboration, comfortable and friendly working conditions, to ensure our team members all have what they need to succeed.

In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, S2 provides ultra competitive salaries, an excellent benefits package with employer paid life insurance, a 401K program with a 6% organizational match, longevity bonus, generous paid time off, access to a federal student loan debt reduction program and a friendly work environment. 

Anyone who joins our team must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

School in the Square understands specific groups are subject to marginalization. We believe these powerful groups should be centered in our community and are highly encouraged to apply. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.