Blog

  • FAST Institute as a way to transform family engagement

    As schools around the country have started a new school year, we know that family engagement and building family-school partnerships will be one thing that educators, school and district leaders will be thinking about. Research demonstrates that family engagement can lead to stronger academic success and better school attendance for children, as well as increased… READ MORE →


  • 2023 Annual Report

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  • American Family Insurance: 2023 AmFam Champ raises more than $2.4 million; highest charitable impact in event history

    Families and Schools Together, Inc. is honored to be a recipient of a $2500 grant from the American Family Insurance Steve Stricker Foundation and one of the organizations highlighted in the official press release, published Dec. 20, 2023. Read more: https://newsroom.amfam.com/2023-amfam-champ-raises-more-than-24-million-highest-charitable-impact-in-event-history/ READ MORE →


  • Goodman Community Center: Community Chat with Letesha: JEDI Masters

    The Goodman Community Center hosted a panel of local leaders on Dec. 12, 2023, to discuss justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, featuring FAST Executive Director Nicole Lopez Purkapile. Check out the blog post recapping the event: https://www.goodmancenter.org/blog/community-chat-with-letesha-jedi-masters READ MORE →


  • Newsletter – October 2023

    Subscribe to FAST community emails or view this email in Mailchimp. Dear friend, It’s been a busy year! As we enter the last quarter of 2023, we wanted to catch you up on some of the goings-on in the FAST community and hope this message finds you well. This school year begins the second year of… READ MORE →


  • Preparing, supporting, and training educators to engage families with the FAST Institute

    “Is anyone else in here trained as a teacher?” Dr. Robyn Sperling, former school teacher and current Director of Research and Innovation at Families & Schools Together, asked at the 2019 FAST Training of Trainers conference. She counted the hands raised in response to her question before following up with another: Did any of you… READ MORE →


  • Families & Schools Together introduces new Executive Director/CEO

    We are pleased to welcome Dr. Nicole Lopez Purkapile, Ed.D., as the new Executive Director/CEO of Families and Schools Together, Inc. (FAST). Nicole has more than 20 years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector, on top of years of being an educator within early childhood programs. She brings a collaborative leadership style, commitment and… READ MORE →


  • Families & Schools Together applauds Evers’ renewed investment

    Says it reflects parents across the state who are asking for more of the expert family engagement program Madison, Wis., Feb. 15, 2023 — Toni Rivera, Executive Director of Families and Schools Together, Inc. (FAST), offered thanks for the Governor’s increased investment in his recently announced biennial budget. “Thank you to Governor Evers and his administration. This… READ MORE →


  • Families & Schools Together Executive Director recognized by Titan 100

    Announcing the recipients of the 2023 Wisconsin Titan 100 Titan CEO and headline sponsor Wipfli LLP are pleased to announce Toni Rivera, executive director of Families & Schools Together, as a 2023 Wisconsin Titan 100. The Titan 100 program recognizes Wisconsin’s Top 100 CEO’s & C-level executives. They are the area’s most accomplished business leaders… READ MORE →