At Silver Lake Elementary, in Federal Way, WA, Principal Kelly Sutton and her team are committed to cultivating lifelong learners who are exceptionally prepared to be the leaders of the future. The Silver Lake core values of perseverance, growth mindset, and high expectations, paired with high support, are the foundation of their vision. To achieve this vision, the school team knows they need to constantly strive to strengthen school-family partnerships as essential support for student success. Working with BELONG Partners over the past school year includes professional development and coaching sessions for staff, and family engagement sessions to strengthen relationships with families. They are developing a shared language around discipline, restorative practices, and logical consequences to align school and family engagement practices.
Creating a sense of belonging for the Silver Lake students and families is a critical piece. Principal Sutton was familiar with the work of BELONG Partners through her own experience as an educator in the Renton School District and her connection with our partner school Sunnycrest Elementary in the Federal Way School District. She knew that we could offer support to create the inclusive environment she was seeking. A leadership team from Silver Lake attended a BELONG Partners Demonstration School Tour at Sartori Elementary in Renton and saw firsthand how our approach helps create a school where students have a sense of agency and belonging. While visiting Sartori, they were able to connect with other school administrators and funders who understand the importance of engaging with families and creating an equitable inclusive environment for students.
Partnering to support staff and families
Since launching our partnership in January of 2025, Silver Lake has worked with BELONG Partners in several different ways. In addition to professional development and coaching sessions for staff to align practices on trauma responsive practice, restorative discipline, and class meetings, we partnered to offer our Legacies of Love program. Legacies of Love is a family engagement program that creates a safe and culturally responsive space for parents and caregivers to build community, strengthen parenting skills, and align with the social-emotional learning happening in their school.
Parents and caregivers practice new tools
Over 50 parents and caregivers have attended Legacies of Love sessions at Silver Lake so far. They have actively engaged in sharing their stories and practicing new tools to support their children. Sutton says that “Legacies of Love provides the opportunity for families to speak their truth, get to know each other, and appreciate the similarities and differences amongst households. They are able to build community and have the opportunity to see the school as an authentic partner.”
Shifting school culture
Principal Sutton says that working with BELONG Partners to support staff and engage families has helped shift their entire school culture. “One powerful takeaway…is how it has helped shift our entire school culture from one focused solely on academic achievement to one grounded in relationships, empathy, and restorative practices.”
A great example of this shift is the Silver Lake weekly “Circle Up” sessions. Following a class meeting model, students share their experiences and listen to others in a safe, structured setting. Sutton describes a powerful example of the impact, “During one session, a typically reserved fifth grader opened up about feeling invisible because of their culture and language barrier. Their classmates, rather than pulling away, leaned in — asking questions, showing empathy, and even learning phrases in the student’s home language. That student is now one of the most active members of the student leadership team. This initiative, supported by the Legacies of Love parent engagement sessions, has transformed our school climate into one where every student sees themselves as valued and heard. The increase in student agency is noticeable. Students are more reflective, more connected, and more willing to resolve conflicts peacefully. We’ve also seen a reduction in behavioral incidents and an increase in family engagement — especially among those who previously felt disconnected from the school community.”
For staff, the impact has also been powerful, “Through the training and ongoing support from BELONG Partners, our staff has developed a shared language and toolbox for nurturing emotional safety and student voice. This has empowered teachers to approach discipline with curiosity instead of punishment, and to build stronger, more trusting relationships with both students and families.,” Sutton says.
Gratitude and plans for the future
We are grateful to the Horizons Foundation and the 47th Avenue Foundation for the grant support that has made it possible to offer training and support for Silver Lake staff and Legacies of Love for family engagement. We look forward to continuing more work with educators and families and strengthening that partnership in the 2025-2026 school year.
Principal Sutton says “working with BELONG Partners, and especially the Legacies of Love family engagement sessions, have helped us create a school where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported—where love and belonging aren’t just ideas, but daily practices that shape everything we do.”
To learn more about BELONG Partners professional development, coaching, or the Legacies of Love program, email us at hello@belongpartners.org.