Newsletter

Welcome to the July Edition of the Family Engagement Newsletter

The stories we carry with us often begin at home. They are shaped by the people who raise us, the experiences they share, and the values that guide us through life. While every family’s journey is different, the hopes we hold for our children and youth are deeply connected. We want them to feel loved, supported, seen, and encouraged as they discover their strengths and pursue their dreams.

Long before children enter a classroom, they begin learning about themselves and the world around them through their families. Families are a child’s first teachers, helping them understand where they come from, who they are, and what they are capable of becoming. The conversations shared at home, the traditions passed down, and the time spent together often become the foundation children draw upon as they grow.

Summer offers a meaningful opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and create memories that last long after the season has passed. Whether gathering with extended family, sharing a meal made from recipes passed down through generations, listening to stories told by grandparents, or enjoying music and laughter together, these moments become part of who we are.

These shared experiences remind us of the importance of honoring every family’s story and the strengths each person brings to our schools and communities. When we take time to listen, learn from one another, and create spaces where families feel a true sense of belonging, we strengthen the connections that support children and youth.

Together, our many stories become one community, united by a shared commitment to supporting children, strengthening families, and building a brighter future for all.

Honoring the stories, traditions, and connections that bring us together,

The Family Engagement Unit

Strong literacy skills begin at home, and summer is a wonderful time for families to learn, read, and grow together. The Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, invites families to participate in the Superintendent's Summer Reading Challenge. This summer, families are challenged to read 9 million words on Footsteps2Brilliance between June 1 and August 16, 2026.

Getting started is easy. Download the Footsteps2Brilliance app, register for free at myf2b.com/riverside, and encourage your child to spend just 15 minutes a day reading and learning. Young learners can explore engaging reading and writing activities through their grade-level Summer Shelf, while older students can build literacy and financial literacy skills through interactive learning pathways.

Reading together, talking about stories, and celebrating progress can make learning fun all summer long. As an added incentive, the top five readers will win prizes. Join the challenge and help make this a summer filled with learning, imagination, and meaningful family connections.

• Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
  This month recognizes the importance of mental health and well-being in all communities while raising awareness of the unique experiences, challenges, and strengths of families from diverse cultural and language backgrounds. This observance encourages families and schools to foster open conversations, reduce stigma, and create supportive environments where children and youth can thrive.
  

  
  

• Disability Pride Month
  Disability Pride Month celebrates the identities, contributions, and achievements of individuals with disabilities. It serves as a reminder of the importance of accessibility and belonging while encouraging families and educators to recognize and honor the unique strengths and talents of every child. It also highlights the value of creating opportunities for all individuals to learn, participate, and contribute in meaningful ways.
  
  

• Independence Day (July 4)
  Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our nation and reflect on the many people, cultures, and histories that have shaped it. From Native American communities to generations of immigrants, the United States has been strengthened by the contributions and experiences of people from all walks of life. As we celebrate, we recognize that our nation's story is enriched by the many individuals and families who call it home and their shared commitment to a brighter future.

The Family Engagement Network (FEN) is back for the 2026–2027 school year. We are excited to continue bringing together family engagement practitioners, educators, administrators, support staff, and parent leaders from across Riverside County for another year of learning, collaboration, and connection. FEN provides a valuable space to share promising practices, explore new ideas, and strengthen the relationships that support meaningful family-school-community partnerships.

This year's four-session series will focus on strategies that elevate parent leadership and voice, strengthen family-school partnerships, foster community collaboration, and support positive student outcomes. Whether you are returning to reconnect with colleagues or joining us for the first time, FEN offers opportunities to learn, reflect, and grow alongside others who are committed to advancing family engagement throughout our region.

We look forward to welcoming both returning and new participants as we continue working together to support students, families, and communities. Click on the link to register and for more information: events.bizzabo.com/FEN26-27.

Session Dates
(All sessions will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Wednesday, January 20, 2027

Wednesday, March 17, 2027

Explore professional development offerings that provide invaluable opportunities to sharpen your skills, connect with peers, access a wealth of insights, strategies, and resources designed to elevate your engagement efforts. Don't miss out on these enriching experiences.

Have a feeling that you’re in a blind spot? Often, as leaders, we know we see only what we see; however, we wonder how we can better understand the situation. Attend the one-day seminar, Unconscious Bias – Impact on Ourselves and The System, and expand your understanding of bias, and more importantly, what you can do about it.

In this seminar, you will gain knowledge and skills to recognize, contextualize, and leverage unconscious bias in productive ways to meet the situation at hand. You will learn what unconscious bias is and what it is not, including how it relates to better understanding your context. You will also reflect on how you can leverage collective biases to influence your processes, practices, and decisions that shape your workplace and your outcomes.

For more information on the Unconscious Bias Seminar or to register, click here.

Using an integrative approach, Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) Divisions of Educational Services and Leadership, Wellness, and Student Services are excited to share a four-part learning series designed to support district and site MTSS teams in moving from a foundational understanding of MTSS to building coherent systems that lead to action.

Your team will gain direct access to RCOE resources and tools, alignment and support for LCAP/SPSA goals and actions, opportunities to collaborate, dedicated team planning time, and more.

Gather a team of 6–8 (minimum of 3) to take part in these opportunities and continue growing your Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in the 2026–2027 school year. Use this link to register.

The Systemic Impact and Change Unit is thrilled to invite you to the 13th Annual Excellence Through Education Conference, a premier event designed to empower and equip school districts, sites, and community partners with evidence-based practices to strengthen their systems, structures, and implementation.

For more information on the 2026 Excellence Through Education Conference or to register, click here.

Save the date for the Inaugural Frank Boehler Fall Workshop, Focused on Students: Through the Lens of Connection, Support, and Success, on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This engaging professional learning opportunity will feature presentations and breakout sessions centered on supporting student success through meaningful connections, effective systems of support, and innovative practices.

Participants may attend in person or virtually, with registration opening on August 10, 2026. Whether you are a student services administrator, counselor, mental health professional, educator, or aspiring leader, this workshop offers valuable strategies and opportunities to learn from and connect with colleagues across the region.

The 2026 National Assembly for Family Engagement in Education is a signature event for education professionals and advocates committed to advancing family engagement.

The Systemic Impact and Change Unit is excited to offer the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) Academy, designed for DELAC parent and caregiver teams. This unique training series is designed to inspire and develop parent leaders, resulting in increased engagement and improved effectiveness of DELAC leadership for the benefit of English learners.

The DELAC Academy is unique in that it connects the seven DELAC responsibilities with tangible, relatable experiences through the lens of parent leadership. In this academy, DELAC teams will develop their leadership skills by understanding their role in:

1. The District English Learner Master Plan.
2. Conducting a district-wide needs assessment.
3. Reviewing and commenting on reclassification procedures.
4. The English learner program as outlined in the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

For more information on the DELAC Academy or to register, click here.

Possibility was at the heart of the Alan M. Crogan Youth Treatment and Education Center (AMC YTEC) graduation ceremony, where students celebrated an important milestone in their educational journey. The RCOE Family Engagement team was honored to attend in support of our Alternative Education partners and to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduating class.

During the ceremony, one student delivered a powerful keynote address, sharing a message of hope and resilience. He reminded us that our past does not define our future and that obstacles can be overcome through determination, growth, and perseverance. His words were a testament to the strength, courage, and potential that exist within every student.

This meaningful event served as a reminder that education creates opportunities, second chances matter, and every individual has the ability to write a new chapter in their story. Through ongoing collaboration with Alternative Education, the RCOE Family Engagement team remains committed to supporting efforts that strengthen family connection, elevate student voice, and celebrate the journeys of students and families across our county.

Thank you, Dr. Arthur Kimball, for the invitation to join this special celebration. Congratulations to the AMC YTEC Class of 2026 on this well-deserved achievement.

California Baptist University’s (CBU) College of Engineering is creating meaningful pathways that inspire students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) while preparing them to become innovative leaders in their communities. Guided by a philosophy of servant leadership, the College provides students with hands-on, real-world experiences through programs such as its internationally competitive Robotics Team and CBU Motorsports, where students design, build, and race their own Formula electric race cars.

During our visit, the RCOE Family Engagement Unit had the opportunity to connect with Rhonda Clement, Director of Strategic Initiatives and explore ways to strengthen collaboration through RCOE's Family Engagement Network. Our conversation included the possibility of hosting a future event at CBU for parents and families to learn more about pathways to a college degree, STEM opportunities, and how families can continue to play an important role in supporting student success beyond high school.

This visit was a meaningful reminder that family engagement does not end at high school graduation. Families continue to be essential partners as students explore college, career, and future opportunities. We look forward to continuing our partnership with CBU to expand access, strengthen connections, and create opportunities for students and families across our region.

A special thank you to Rhonda Clement for the warm welcome and engaging tour, which showcased the many ways CBU is fostering innovation, collaboration, and a welcoming environment for the next generation of engineers.

Looking for family engagement resources, upcoming events, professional learning opportunities, and tools to support your work? Be sure to visit the virtual bulletin board created by RCOE’s Early Childhood Education Program. There, you’ll find valuable resources, announcements, and opportunities designed to support educators, families, family engagement practitioners, and community partners.

Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas, sharing resources with families, or staying connected to opportunities across Riverside County, the bulletin board serves as a convenient one-stop hub for information and inspiration. Click this link to explore and discover what's new.

Even mandated professional learning sessions can be worthwhile if you focus on connecting them to your own problems of practice. Finding relevance in the content can help you grow your skills and make the experience more meaningful.

You might think your expertise and ideas aren’t worth discussing, but sharing what you’ve learned with your peers and beyond your school offers valuable benefits. Your experiences can support others and spark new ideas.

You deserve the support you need for your mental health. Speaking with loved ones can be an important first step. Use this worksheet to help guide conversations with your family about mental health and to identify the support that feels right for you.

Trust grows when parents are treated not as outsiders, but as essential partners in their children’s education. When families feel valued, heard, and included, schools become stronger and more responsive to student needs.

The Resource Center is here to help. Whether you need everyday essentials, access to resources, or support navigating next steps, their team is ready to connect you with what you need.

Through our collaborative partnerships, CAREspace provides mental health and related services to students, families, schools, and the broader Riverside County community.

For more information about CAREspace or to speak with a member of our team, please contact us at 951-276-CARE (2273). Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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.

Administrator

Family Engagement

Division of Leadership, Wellness, and Student Services

School Engagement and Wellness Unit

Email: srezkalah@rcoe.us
Website: RCOE Family Engagement
Phone: (951) 826-6243

Program Assistant, Program Compliance

Family Engagement

Division of Leadership, Wellness, and Student Services

School Engagement and Wellness Unit

Email: lmichel@rcoe.us

Phone: (951) 826-6568