Kylie Garrard assumes multifaceted role with Dooly County schools

Kylie Garrard’s goal is to, “Bridge that home and school relationship. In this multifaceted new role.” She will be serving not only as, “The Family Engagement and Communications Specialist but I will be working with our science teachers as the Science and STEM Coordinator as well.

“So, for the family engagement specifically, we understand the district, but learning starts at home. The parents are our biggest ally as far as student learning. So, the goal for that is just to get  them in the building. We have a resource room that we’re working on that we’re going to have books and resources so that the parents can come and take that literature with them. So that learning can continue at home.

“We are going to have events throughout the year to get the parents into the school. We’re going to be sending out surveys to get feedback that tells, ‘What do the parents need specifically?

“Our focus this school year is our literacy because we’ve identified that across the board as an issue for our students so, we’re honing in on that. I have a Title I Family Engagement Meeting that’s coming up Tuesday, September 24 at Dooly County High School and I would love for our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to come, show up and hear what we have to say and to explain what we’re doing for our kids, what we’re offering.

“Just getting them involved in their child’s learning. That’s the most important part.” Ms. Garrard was asked if it’s a positive that she has lived here and is familiar with the community, “As far as what I’m going to bring, in previous years, we’ve had people come in from outside of Dooly County that have served in this role.

“One of the things I bring is I have been here all of my life. So I have a little bit of a different view on the community and the needs of the community. Some of the areas that I feel like we can improve upon and there are things that we are required to do that I can’t really change. There are meetings that we have to have, but I’m open and I’m here.

“If parents and grandparents want to contact me and have questions, we’re just here to help our students. There are things that we can’t change, but I’ve just completed a week in this new role, so as it comes together, I really hope that we can really, really get more parent engagement and think outside the box on how to do that. I’m open to any ideas that the community has to do that.”

For more information, contact Kylie Garrard at: kylie.garrard@dooly.k12.ga.us.