Each teacher at Chinook also writes to each student's family weekly, and the families respond to the letters of students and teachers. The letters are one piece of the family involvement component that Chinook founders feel is critical to the success of their school. Other evidence of the importance of family involvement is visible throughout the school, where photos of students and their families decorate bulletin boards in the hallways. In addition, two display cases in the school's common area prominently feature a different family each week. Family artwork and other memorabilia are included, too.
Families also sign up to provide daily snacks in the classrooms.
But what's extremely important is that we all be talking together. We talk with kids. We talk with parents. That openness also helped Chinook founders in their efforts to establish their school. Bill Bjork, president of the association, says the relationship with Chinook teachers has been excellent.