Family and Community Engagement

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Students embracing outside of school — Enhancing children's lives through engagement

The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) works in collaboration with districts, schools, parents, teachers, students, administrators, and community members to enhance family and community participation in children's lives. A child's education is a responsibility shared by school, family, and community educational partners during their time in school.

Black College Expo on Feb. 8

High school juniors and seniors have the opportunity to connect with historically black colleges and universities with potential for on-the-spot college scholarships and acceptances awarded to qualifying students at the 2024 Black College Expo Feb. 8.

BLACK student summit

SDCOE is hosting a Black Student Summit in April 2024 to increase student, parent, and community excellence through education, culture, empowerment, values, and purpose. Registration and attendance is managed at the school level.

Learn About the 2023 Summit

Calendar of Events

My Voice Counts Webinar Series

The My Voice Counts learning series for the community aims to empower parents, families, and community members on matters concerning their child's education.

The free, one-hour webinars focus on topics of interest to ensure that every child excels in school, while also increasing family and community engagement and a sense of belonging.

2023-24 Schedule

Dec. 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Learn about the Local Control Funding Formula and Local Control and Accountability Plans, which impact your student at the district-level.

Feb. 7

Learn about free money for college through the CalKIDS program and how you can apply and start your child on a path to thrive.

April 25

Learn about financial aid applications and scholarships for college. Explore how to get started and prep for the coming school year.

June 6

Learn about career technical education and apprenticeship programs for students to start exploring their future opportunities while in school.

Webinar Recordings

Supporting Children in Managing Anxiety

Recorded on Oct. 5, 2023

Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health disorder among children and adolescents, affecting 1 in 4 youth over their lifetime. Learn strategies for supporting children, tools to help, and resources that can make a difference for young people who are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious.

Tools for Supporting Families on Campus

Appears to be female teacher sitting near two young children

Creating a Welcoming Environment for Families with Students Who are English Language Learners

A welcoming environment can make a tremendous difference for all families, including those who speak English as their second language or are learning English. These tools and strategies can be put in place in the classroom or on campus today.

District Parent and Family Liaison Resources

Professional Learning Opportunities

Professional learning opportunities for parent and family liaisons to attend or trainings to host for families are available throughout the school year. Please contact Kathia Lopez for more information.

Training Topics

How to Get to College

The How to Get to College professional learning opportunity for English learner coordinators, English language development (ELD) teachers, parent liaisons, and parent leaders will provide the knowledge and resources for you to hold a workshop for your school's parents on how to motivate, support, and encourage their child to get to college.

Digital Citizenship

Six Types of Parent Involvement

The Six Types of Parent Involvement professional learning experience is designed for English learner coordinators, ELD teachers, parent liaisons, and parent leaders. Attendees will be able to facilitate professional learning sessions for their own school parents based on Joyce Epstein's Six Types of Involvement framework.

Reading and Homework Lead to Academic Success

This session is designed for English learner coordinators, ELD teachers, parent liaisons, and parent leaders. Attendees will be able to facilitate professional learning sessions for parents on different strategies to motivate, help and support their children with completing homework and improving reading skills.

Parent Groups and Committees

Parents and guardians are a key component of the planning, monitoring, and evaluation process for state and federal categorical funds. The School Site Council (SSC), District Advisory Council and other parent groups provide important input into the planning process. Each group operates under requirements governed by Education Code. Guidance and trainings for parent groups are available.

School Site Council Resources

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Every school site with 21 or more English learners form an English Learner Advisory Committee which is responsible for advising the principal and staff on programs and services for English learners, and the School Site Council on the development of the Single Plan for Student Achievement.

Learn More

District-Level English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)

Each school district with 51 or more English Learners is required to form a district-level English Learner Advisory Committee for the purpose of advising the district governing board on programs and services for English learners.

ELAC / DELAC Resources

SDCOE
FAQs

Please email Patricia Karlin at patricia.karlin@sdcoe.net to request training for site / LEA leadership.

Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

A committee formed by the district to provide feedback about the LCAP. The majority of the committee members must be parents of students in the district and include representatives of the "unduplicated" student groups.

English Learner Parent Advisory Committee (ELPAC)

A committee formed by the district to provide advice about the LCAP in those districts whose enrollment includes at least 15% English learners and at least 50 pupils who are English learners. The majority of the committee members must be parents of English Learner students in the district.

School District Parent / Family Engagement Contacts

Alpine: Bobbi Burkett, phone: 619-445-3236 ext. 803
Bonsall Union: Heather Golly, phone: 760-631-5218 ext. 1012
Borrego Springs Unified: Mark Stevens, phone: 760-767-5357 ext. 508
Cajon Valley Union: Michael Serban, phone: 619-590-8884
Cardiff: Janelle Scheftner, phone: 760-632-5894 ext. 130
Carlsbad Unified: Kimberly Huesing, phone: 760-331-5014
Chula Vista Elementary: Angelica Maldonado, phone: 619-425-9600 ext. 1465
Coronado Unified: Julia Braga, phone: 619-522-8900 ext. 1024
Del Mar Union: Shelley Petersen, phone: 858-755-9301 ext. 3693
Encinitas Union: Veronica Gonzalez, phone: 760-944-4300 ext. 1460
Escondido Union: Kimberly Israel, phone: 760-432-2386
Escondido Union High: Jennifer Medeiros, phone: 760-291-3246
Fallbrook Union: Lea Curcio, phone: 760-731-5416
Fallbrook Union High: Jorge Rojas, phone: 760-723-6332 ext. 6296
Grossmont Union High: Michele Estill, phone: 619-593-2710
Jamul - Dulzura Union: Yesenia Robinson, phone: 619-669-7850
Julian Union: Brian Duffy, phone: 760-765-0661
Julian Union High: Carroll Ruffell, phone: 760-765-0606 ext. 218
La Mesa-Spring Valley: Elisa Holston-Areaga, phone: 619-668-5700 ext. 6395
Lakeside Union: Kim Reed, phone: 619-390-2608
Lemon Grove: Azucena Garcia, phone: 619-825-2880
Mountain Empire Unified: Cheryl Lugo, phone: 619-478-5930 ext. 901
National: Beverly Hayes, phone: 619-336-7503
Oceanside Unified: Deb Wickman, phone: 760-966-7843
Poway Unified: Jami La Fuze, phone: 858-521-2748
Ramona Unified: Ingrid Forbes, phone: 760-787-2063
Rancho Santa Fe: Hannah Clements, phone: 858-756-1141 ext. 116
San Diego Unified: Sandra Cephas, phone: 619-725-7264
San Dieguito Union High: Manuel Zapata, phone: 760-753-6491 ext. 5100
San Marcos Unified: Spencer Wavra, phone: 760-752-1271
San Pasqual: Julie Romero, phone: 760-745-4931
San Ysidro: Cynthia Monreal Gonzalez, phone: 619-428-4476 ext. 3070
Santee: Bonner Montler, phone: 619-258-2356
Solana Beach: Sabrina Lee, phone: 858-794-7137
South Bay: Lisa Celaya, phone: 619-628-1633
Sweetwater Union High: Jacob Dominguez, phone: 619-934-8895
Valley Center-Pauma: María Cordero, phone: 760-749-0464
Vallecitos: Maritza Koeppen, phone: 760-728-7092 ext. 229
Vista Unified: Jacqueline Bispo, phone: 760-726-2170 ext. 92011
Warner Unified: David Macleod, phone: 760-782-3517 ext. 217

Resources

Downloadable Reports

Latino Educational Achievement Report
(PDF)

Family Engagement Framework Report - English (PDF)

Family Engagement Framework Report - Español (PDF)

Resources for College

Information and Support

SDCOE FAFA Completion Resources
College Board: College searches, practice SAT questions, loan information.
CollegeNet: College searches, financial aid, scholarship search, college recruiting, virtual bookstore.
CSU Mentor: Comprehensive guide to the California State University 23 campuses.
San Diego State University: Prospective students, other options, virtual tour.
University of California - San Diego
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans