Learning starts – and continues – at home. The family is the foundation for learning, and parents and loved ones are the ultimate keys to success.
That’s what Arlington ISD believes, and that’s why
the district’s Family and Community Engagement
(F&CE) department is so passionate about reaching every member of the family.
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“We serve families from birth through graduation, which means assisting parents of toddlers in preparing their children for learning through programs like Toddler Time or guiding families through homework help, teenage development and even the college preparation process,” said Suzanne Stevenson, F&CE Title 1 engagement specialist. “It’s about walking alongside families every step of the way.”
Aaron Perales has led the department since its inception 12 years ago. While the department’s scope and initiatives have grown each year, Perales and his team tie them all back to their four founding pillars: parenting; health and wellness; home to school connections; and personal/professional development of the parent.
“We believe every family has aspirations for their children and the ability to foster their educational growth,” Perales said. “By building relationships and treating parents and families as genuine collaborators, we eliminate obstacles and develop avenues for families to achieve academic success.”
But Arlington ISD doesn’t do it alone.
“Each initiative has a community partner,” Perales explained.
The partners – like the Dallas Cowboys, the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, local churches, non-profits and so many more – work closely with the district to ensure maximum impact on the community.
“It really is the village,” Stevenson said. Arlington ISD’s Family and Community Engagement initiatives are all about building the capacity of families. Here are just a few:
BACK TO SCHOOL KICKOFF The annual Arlington ISD Back to School Kickoff takes 800 volunteers and dozens of community partners to pull off. But it’s worth it every year when nearly 10,000 students leave AT&T Stadium ready for the new school year with a free backpack and school supplies.
TODDLER TIME Toddler Time is a fun, interactive program that empowers parents to be their child’s first teachers through activities like singing, dancing, counting and play. Plus, a partnership with the Arlington Police Department offers car seat safety training.
PARENT WORKSHOPS The F&CE workshops empower parents with tools and knowledge to support their efforts to raise holistically healthy children. All workshops are conducted in both English and Spanish.
CAFÉ CONVERSATIONS These small-group discussions encourage and help parents, grandparents and guardians become better leaders at home and more connected to the school community.
FATHERS AND FAMILIES INITIATIVE
Through events, workshops, seminars and more, the F&CE team empowers fathers to be active, knowledgeable and confident participants in their families, contributing to the holistic development of their children.
STAKEHOLDER LUNCHEONS The F&CE team offers annual luncheons for stakeholder groups like local realtors, faith leaders and more. The lunches include a district update from Arlington ISD superintendent Dr. Matt Smith.
COMMUNITY EVENTS Community events – hosted in conjunction with community partners – like College and Career Expo, Family Expo, Father Fest and Shatter the Silence offer students and families a host of resources and information.
GET INVOLVED
Come to a workshop, attend a stakeholder lunch, bring your child to Toddler Time, volunteer at a school, give out backpacks… there are lots of ways to participate, learn and volunteer. Visit aisd.net/family to learn more and get involved.
