Family Communication and Engagement

Bringing Red Bags Home

Introducing Red Bags at home is super easy!

Our introductory handouts introduces families to the Red Bag, reminds them of the days to receive and return the bags, and links them to a YouTube video about story times.

Family Introduction

Story Time Introduction

Share RAR MA’s YouTube page, which features a video in 7 languages introducing parents to the basics of cultivating an at-home reading habit with their children.


Family Contract

Partners may use this optional family contract to raise awareness of the Raising A Reader MA program and promote proper care of red bags and books


Visual Explanation

Use this visual explanation of our Red Bag rotation for as an easy way to help families understand our program. 

Downloads

Red Bag
Return Reminders

Reminder Slips

Attach these quarter-page reminders to the Red Bags if families need extra support getting materials back in time.

Downloads

Communicating
With Families

Creating
Routines

Take advantage of face to face communication during pick-up and drop-off times.
The Partner Portal - Raising A Reader Massachusetts - Opening Doors by Opening Books
Remind them of classroom emails or send home newsletters. Use RAR-MA Newsletter prompts for a “Raising a Reader MA corner” of your program’s newsletter.
The Partner Portal - Raising A Reader Massachusetts - Opening Doors by Opening Books
Remind families of deadlines for Red Bag returns and RAR-MA paperwork.
The Partner Portal - Raising A Reader Massachusetts - Opening Doors by Opening Books
Ask about parent’s experience with Red Bags and reading at home.

Encourage
Involvement

Some suggestions for helping get parents involved.
The Partner Portal - Raising A Reader Massachusetts - Opening Doors by Opening Books
Customize the program depending on parent feedback. For example, maybe families like to see activities in the Red Bags to keep children engaged.
The Partner Portal - Raising A Reader Massachusetts - Opening Doors by Opening Books
Invite parents and caregivers to RAR-MA family engagement events.
The Partner Portal - Raising A Reader Massachusetts - Opening Doors by Opening Books
Invite families into your space! Ask parents to be guest storytellers, help with bag rotation, or share tips for other families.
Family Tips

Reading Red
Bag Books

Books with Diverse Families and Languages

This handout shares why their Red Bag includes books in other languages or families with diverse structures, and how to use these books. 


Wordless Books

Communicates the value of wordless books and how to use them. 

Downloads

Rereading Books

Handout that describes skills students should have when they enter Kindergarten and provides examples of activities to develop these skills

Downloads

Bag Repetition

Celebratory announcement that families may begin to receive repeat bags and tells them some tips and the benefits of re-reading.

Resources for Families with Bilingual Children

LitKits

LitKits are a set of tip cards educators can use with parents to send quick and consistent messages to families about reading at home. These outline easy ways to integrate dialogic reading strategies into everyday conversation, and are tailored to different age groups.