FEN Newsletter | October 2026
Welcome to October, FEN community!
As we settle into the school year, the Family Engagement Unit is excited to continue learning alongside you and strengthening our partnerships with families. This month brings new opportunities to build meaningful connections and celebrate the impactful work taking place throughout our communities.
October brings several important observances that remind us of the value of health, prevention, and community well-being. Strong partnerships among families, schools, and community partners help put these priorities into practice, by creating spaces where students and families feel safe, heard, valued, and supported.
In recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month, our featured message, “Belonging Begins with Kindness,” explores how everyday interactions and strong home-school partnerships can help foster a culture of kindness and belonging. October is also National Book Month, and we are connecting this celebration to RCOE’s Literacy by 5th Grade Initiative by sharing seasonal favorites that families can enjoy together. You’ll also find a school-site highlight and helpful resources to support the important work you do each day.
Thank you to our family engagement liaisons and dedicated school staff for the care you bring to this work each day. Whether you are welcoming a new family, connecting someone to resources, or strengthening relationships within your school community, those moments matter. We are grateful to be part of a network that keeps students and families at the heart of all we do.
With autumnal appreciation,
The Family Engagement Unit
Each October, National Bullying Prevention Month reminds us of our shared commitment to supporting the well-being of every student. It is an opportunity to strengthen school communities where kindness is practiced daily, and every student feels safe, supported, and valued.
Bullying is not always easy to identify or discuss. It can occur at school, online, in community spaces, or beyond the school day. Students may not always feel comfortable sharing their experiences, so paying attention to changes in behavior and creating opportunities for honest conversations can help ensure that concerns are recognized and addressed early.
Preventing bullying begins with the everyday culture we create around students. When families and school staff model empathy, encourage respect, and address unkind behavior, we help make kindness the expectation. We can also empower students to advocate for themselves and others by speaking up when it is safe to do so and turning to a trusted adult when they need help. When we listen with care and take their concerns seriously, we show students that they are not alone and that the adults in their lives are ready to support them.
When families and school staff work together, we send a powerful message that student well-being matters and that preventing bullying is a shared responsibility. Together, we can create safe spaces where students and families feel valued, supported, and know they belong.
October is National Book Month, and the cooler evenings offer the perfect excuse to settle in with a favorite story. There is something comforting about returning to the books we loved as children, with their familiar illustrations and the memories that come rushing back as we turn each page. Sharing those stories with children today gives us an opportunity to pass along a little of that childhood magic while creating new memories together.
These quiet moments of reading together also reflect the heart of RCOE’s Literacy by 5th Grade Initiative, which recognizes families as important partners in helping children grow into confident readers. Whether it is a favorite story before bed, a trip to your local library, or a book shared on a cozy afternoon, time spent reading together can nurture a love of books and learning that lasts.
Below are a few nostalgic October favorites you may remember from your own childhood and might be ready to enjoy all over again with the young readers in your life.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard ... clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap.
And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life! With bouncy refrains and classic art, this timeless Halloween story is perfect for reading aloud.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
It's Halloween night, which means costumes, trick-or-treating, bobbing for apples...and waiting for the Great Pumpkin. Linus is certain that the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch to bring toys to all the children of the world. Could this be the year that it finally happens?
Arthur's Halloween
With all of his classmates in costumes, Arthur can't tell who's who at the school Halloween party, and he nearly faints when Buster passes around snack bowls of "eyeballs" and "brains!" But when Arthur's little sister wanders off into the scariest house on the street while trick-or-treating, he's got to find the courage to go in and save her. Will Arthur and D.W. make it out alive on the most frightful night of the year?
Too Many Pumpkins
Rebecca Estelle has hated pumpkins ever since she was a girl when pumpkins were often the only food her family had. When an enormous pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard, she shovels dirt over the pieces and forgets about them. But those slimy pumpkin smithereens sprout up in autumn, and Rebecca Estelle finds a sea of pumpkins in her garden.
Val Verde Regional Learning Center and Courage to Build Knowledge (CBK) Charter School recently welcomed students and families to their Back-to-School Fall Festival. From the start, families were reminded that showing up matters, both through consistent attendance and by being present and engaged in their children's educational journeys.
During the festival, teachers recognized students who stood out as exemplary members of their classes. The awards ceremony offered a meaningful reminder that hard work is noticed and that every step forward deserves to be celebrated.
Students also had opportunities to take the lead throughout the event. Some delivered presentations, while those enrolled in multimedia courses photographed and recorded the celebration. By trusting students with responsibilities connected to their interests and skills, staff showed them that their talents and contributions matter. It was inspiring to see them take pride in their work and their school community.
The care behind this event reflects the meaningful work taking place every day at Val Verde Regional Learning Center and CBK Charter School. By building strong relationships with students, celebrating their progress, and creating opportunities for them to lead, staff are helping foster a school community where young people feel seen, valued, and capable. Thank you to Chris McDonald, Denise Gonzalez, Edna Conde, Arcella Medel, and the entire team at Val Verde Regional Learning Center and CBK Charter School for welcoming us and allowing us to be part of such a meaningful event.
Raising the Future
Raising the Future is a community event highlighting the collaborative efforts of county and community organizations to empower youth and adults throughout Riverside County. Young people can take part in creative, positive activities that encourage growth, resilience, and purpose, while caregivers can participate in workshops designed to help them navigate today’s challenges and access resources for their families.
Use this link to register.
2nd Annual Autism and Society Conference
Join Somos Uno Riverside for the 2nd Annual Autism and Society Conference on October 20, 2026. Families, educators, caregivers, and community members are invited to come together for a day of learning, connection, and empowerment.
Attendees will gain helpful information, practical resources, and tools that support a more informed, inclusive, and compassionate community.
Use this link to register.
Food and Memories: Recipes that Tell our Family Stories
Cinema Culturas invites you to participate in "Your Story, Your Voice, Your Community" where participants will discover and share the family memories and traditions behind favorite recipes.
The workshop will be presented in Spanish and facilitated by Dr. Cony Martinez and Victor Cisneros.
Please confirm your attendance by emailing: festival@cinemaculturas.com
5th Annual Anti-Human Trafficking Walk for Youth
Join the 5th Annual Anti-Human Trafficking Walk for Youth on Saturday, October 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Riverside City Hall. This free, family-friendly event will bring the community together for a two-mile awareness walk, survivor-informed speakers, helpful resources, and festive fall activities. Together, participants can raise awareness and help create a community where young people feel supported and protected.
Use this link to register.
Completing the FAFSA/CADAA
Adult supporters working with California youth who have experienced foster care or homelessness are invited to join John Burton Advocates for Youth for an informative FAFSA/CADAA webinar. The session will provide step-by-step guidance on completing financial aid applications and helping eligible students access the resources available to support their educational goals.
Use this link to register.
College of Engineering Night | California Baptist University
High school students, parents, and educators are invited to an interactive evening filled with hands-on labs, demonstrations, STEM exploration, and opportunities to connect with CBU faculty, students, and student clubs. Attendees can also enjoy the signature Robots Got Talent competition, pizza, and engaging activities showcasing the creativity and innovation of CBU’s engineering community.
Use this link to register.
Setting Up an Intergenerational Reading Buddies Program
Elementary schools can use this helpful framework to engage adult reading buddies and help students build confidence, strengthen connections across generations, and develop a love of reading.
Bullying Prevention in Public Schools: Family Guide 2026
This family-friendly guide offers information and practical strategies to help families recognize, address, and prevent bullying while supporting safe and welcoming school communities.
Halloween Safety Tips from a CHLA Expert
An expert from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) shares practical tips for costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating to help families enjoy a fun and safe Halloween.
CARESpace
Through our collaborative partnerships, CARESpace provides mental health and related services to students, families, schools, and the broader Riverside County community.
For more information or to speak with a member of our team, please contact us at 951-276-CARE (2273). Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
FindHelp
The Riverside County Community Schools Partnership is helping connect students and families to support in their communities. Search for free or low-cost food, basic needs, housing assistance, and more.
@Rivco_Families
Riverside County Parent and Family Engagement
Esmirna Valencia, Ed.D.
Executive Director
Division of Leadership, Wellness, and Student Services
Email: evalencia@rcoe.us
Website: RCOE School Engagement and Wellness
Phone: (951) 826-6120
Sonia Rezkalah
Administrator
Family Engagement
Division of Leadership, Wellness, and Student Services
Email: srezkalah@rcoe.us
Website: RCOE Family Engagement
Phone: (951) 826-6243
Leonel Michel
Program Assistant
Family Engagement
Division of Leadership, Wellness, and Student Services
Email: lmichel@rcoe.us
Website: RCOE Family Engagement
Phone: (951) 826-6568