“…The exclusion of families and communities from positions of power and leadership within the traditional school hierarchy is challenged by critical scholars advancing a more inclusive, asset-based approach to equitable family and community engagement (FCE) (Bertrand & Rodela, 2018; Fernández & Paredes Scribner, 2018; Ishimaru, 2020). Creating and maintaining healthy, safe, and supportive learning environments for all children requires a collective approach that includes meaningful FCE by principals who acknowledge the contributions of local stakeholders and centers them as active leaders and change agents in the school (Bertrand et al, 2018; Noguera, 2001; Warren et al, 2009). Schools that dismantle deficit-driven narratives around FCE, by implementing comprehensive and supportive engagement practices, yield positive outcomes such as improved attendance, positive student behaviors, and higher academic achievement (Anderson-Butcher et al, 2017; Biag & Castrechini, 2016; Oakes et al, 2017).…”