Family Engagement Best Practices: Creating Inclusive Environments for Spanish Speakers
The Alexander K. McClure School Home and School Association (HSA) recently conducted a successful—and fun!—March meeting, where they discussed school and community plans.
Parents, along with Family Engagement Liaison Dalila Bedoya and Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Gissele Rosado, enjoyed a delicious brunch while they welcomed one another and spent time getting to know each other.
The meeting was focused and collaborative. Participants discussed concerns and resolutions, and they planned potential community events and fundraising activities as well.
Because McClure has a large Spanish-speaking population, the HSA meeting was conducted in both English and Spanish. School administrators were very supportive and welcoming with both the parents and the FACE staff.
On Wednesday, March 29, Family Engagement Liaisons Linda Maldonado and Dalila Bedoya facilitated a PSSA Workshop for parents at Lewis Elkin Elementary School.
The workshop provided parents with an overview of the PSSA examinations—what they are, why students take them, and who takes the tests. Ms. Maldonado and Ms. Bedoya presented the information in an easy-to-understand format so that families could understand how to best support their children prepare for the tests at home.
Parents were also provided with specific strategies for helping their children before the tests and were given resources at the school level for PSSA support. Ms. Maldonado and Ms. Bedoya, both native Spanish speakers, conducted the workshop in both English and Spanish to ensure that all parents could participate.
