Goal: The Family Ally Program (FAP) is looking to match current Berkeley families in the community to ensure support to softland Berkeley, navigate the school system and understand the school.  

Onboarding ally family (OAF): OAF are John Muir Elementary settled families that volunteer to use their personal experience and offer support for new & international families coming to JME. They become a point of contact for new families to ask questions about the school system, the school, the culture, and life in the community close to school. 

The role of a OAF includes:

• Developing a connection and relationship with the new family for example by introducing themselves, hosting a coffee/meal to share experiences, organizing a playdate for kids to connect and have a buddy as the school year starts for the new family, etc.

• Ensuring the new family understands key roles of staff and teaching team as well as PTA and room parents, among others, and receives school-wide relevant communications.

• Being friendly and responsive to guide the new family through the on-boarding process. 

New family: New families entering JM can opt-in the Family Ally Program to be contacted by an OAF and receive the support throughout the on-boarding process.