Newsletter
February 2024
Welcome to the April Edition of the Family Engagement Newsletter.
This month, we highlight the importance of elevating parent leadership to strengthen student success. When families are supported as leaders, their voices help shape school communities, inform decision-making, and create meaningful opportunities for students to thrive.
Family engagement goes beyond participation. It is rooted in partnership, trust, and shared responsibility. By intentionally creating space for parents to lead, advocate, and contribute, the connection between home and school becomes stronger in ways that directly support student learning. At the recent Family Engagement Conference, this commitment was brought to life by elevating parent leaders from across our community. Their voices, experiences, and leadership were honored throughout the event.
As this work continues, the Family Engagement Unit remains committed to ensuring every family not only feels welcomed, but empowered to lead. When families are elevated as leaders, the impact is reflected in stronger schools, stronger partnerships, and greater success for students.
With gratitude for your leadership,
The Family Engagement Unit
Silvia Rendon
Silvia Rendon of Perris High School in the Perris Union High School District exemplifies the impact of family engagement through her shared journey with her son. After moving to Perris, Silvia sought connection and a sense of community. At Pinacate Middle School, she joined the Parent Engagement Committee with her son and found exactly that. What began as a simple invitation to participate grew into a meaningful experience rooted in leadership, belonging, and service.
Together, they became active members of their school community. They served on the committee, attended meetings, volunteered at events, and demonstrated what is possible when families are welcomed and empowered to lead together.
Meagan Russell
Meagan Russell from Rose Salgado Elementary School in the San Jacinto Unified School District highlights how meaningful family engagement can begin right from the start. As the parent of a kindergartner, she stepped into a brand-new school experience with a willingness to connect, learn, and get involved. Rather than waiting to find her place, Meagan took initiative as a first-time volunteer, seeking out opportunities to engage and quickly becoming an active presence on campus.
From attending Coffee with the Principal and supporting school events to reading in kindergarten classrooms and serving as PTA Historian, she has been actively involved in many ways. Her involvement reflects how early engagement can foster confidence, build relationships, and inspire leadership within a school community.
Dr. Ericka Roshell
Dr. Ericka Roshell, a parent leader at John W. North High School in the Riverside Unified School District, exemplifies the strength and determination of balancing many roles. As a mother, she has supported her family while continuing her own education, seeking out resources, and growing into a leader. She models for her son the importance of self-advocacy, confidence, and believing in what’s possible.
Her journey reflects resilience and growth. What began as a search for support has evolved into deeper involvement and leadership within her school community. Through the Family Resource Center, parent classes, PTA, School Site Council, DAAPAC, and other opportunities, Dr. Roshell not only accessed valuable resources, but also found her voice as an advocate. Her story shows how family engagement can lead to empowerment, connection, and lasting growth for both parent and child.
Public School Volunteer Week is April 20–24, 2026, and Perris Union High School District (PUHSD) celebrated by hosting its Public School Volunteer Celebration on April 24 to recognize the families, volunteers, parent leaders, business partners, and community partners who make a lasting difference in the lives of students across the district.
Honorees were recognized for the vital role they play in supporting student success, with each recipient receiving an award for their dedication and service. The celebration also featured a special video highlighting schools across the district and showcasing the many achievements, meaningful connections, and positive engagement happening on campuses.
PUHSD is doing wonderful work engaging families and celebrating their efforts during National Public School Volunteer Week. Recognizing those who contribute to student success year-round is essential, as their support strengthens school-community partnerships and reinforces the power of family engagement.
Thank you, PUHSD, for inviting the RCOE Family Engagement Unit to be part of this special celebration. For more information about Public School Volunteer Week, visit projectappleseed.org.
Social Emotional Learning & Wellness Conference
This year’s Social Emotional Learning & Wellness Conference, taking place on May 5, 2026, celebrates the power of connection, compassion, and collective action in supporting whole-person well-being. Through engaging workshops, rejuvenating wellness activities, and meaningful opportunities for connection, participants will explore how relationships, empathy, and shared purpose strengthen our communities.
Chronic Absenteeism SYSTEM Summit
Join us for an engaging Chronic Absenteeism Summit focused on building relationship-centered systems that foster belonging, stability, and student success. District and school leaders, educators, and community partners will explore practical, people-centered strategies to improve attendance through connection, care, and collaboration. Participants will engage in interactive learning, best practice spotlights, and approaches that center student voice and family engagement, all aimed at ensuring every student feels supported, connected, and ready to show up and thrive.
MINECrafting Our Community
Help us build our community in Minecraft Education! Riverside County's Community Schools Partnership is partnering with Minecraft Education to build our county in Minecraft! Your input and feedback will help us decide what places, landmarks, stories, and experiences should be included in our build. This will allow anyone who enters the Riverside County Minecraft World to see what makes our community special! Please take this short survey to help us get more information on our county's landmarks, locations, and special interests. Click on this link to access the form.
The Riverside County Community Schools Partnership is helping connect students, and families to support in their communities. Click on the Access FindHelp link below to search for free or low-cost food, basic needs, housing assistance, and more.
@Rivco_Families
Riverside County Parent and Family Engagement
Sonia Rezkalah
RCOE 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
Leonel Michel
RCOE Program Assistant, Program Compliance
Family Engagement
Division of Leadership, Wellness, and Student Services
School Engagement and Wellness Unit
Email: lmichel@rcoe.us
Website: RCOE Family Engagement
Phone: (951) 826-6568