Recently, I had the pleasure of spending time in a primary school that is a real community. It is in an impoverished area and the Principal has taken steps to bring the community into the building by setting up a parent resource centre and drop-in and encouraging integration with the community.
At that school, parents are welcomed and there is an understanding that if they feel comfortable in the school, than their children will as well.
This is in sharp contrast to my kids' school which is in a middle-class neighbourhood and has many stay-at-home parents and caregivers milling around the schoolyard.