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November 1, 2021
Happy Family Engagement in Education Month! Although we celebrate and support family engagement throughout the school year, Governor Ralph S. Northam, Dr. James F. Lane, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Virginia Department of Education recognize November as Family Engagement Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“The importance of parental engagement in schools is well documented. Over 30 years of research shows that one of the most effective ways to increase student achievement is for parents to be actively involved in the education of their children. The Virginia Department of Education is committed to improving parent and family involvement for all students including students with disabilities. We believe that family school collaboration is essential to student success.”
View VDOE’s Family Engagement Month Flyer
The Arlington Public Schools Parent Resource Center is celebrating Family Engagement Month in a variety of ways:
- Our new online learning module for families – An Introduction to Special Education – is now available! The module contains a variety of short video segments and resources designed to support families in preparing for and engaging in the Student Support and special education processes. An Introduction to Special Education includes a Welcome and Introductory Overview; Key Facts about Special Education; An Overview of the Student Support Process; An Overview of the Special Education Process; and The Role of Families in the Special Education Process.
- We have developed and shared a new professional learning session for staff on Family Engagement and the Special Education Process, which will support collaboration and active family engagement.
- In collaboration with the Office of School and Community Relations, we will be releasing APS’ Spanish language special education telenovela – La Sopa de la Abuela – later this month. Stay tuned!
- Our culminating Family Engagement Month activity will feature a virtual session presented by Ms. Chiquita Seaborne, the Virginia Department of Education’s Family Engagement Specialist.
Check out the PRC’s new online An Introduction to Special Education.
If you missed last Wednesday’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) at Home virtual session, the recording is now available here.
The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) Guide to 30 Days of Families Learning Together provides a month’s worth of family literacy activities and practices designed to inspire family memories rooted in imagining, playing, and learning together. Download the calendars in English and Spanish here.
