Hello Everyone,
First and foremost, I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. For this month's newsletter, most, if not all of the content and resources provided are related to the COVID-19 pandemic and how family engagement is as important as ever during these times. For all Nevada up-to-date information on COVID-19, please see the state website in the Resource Spotlight section.
While gathering family engagement resources, I tried to select resources that I felt were the most relevant. I encourage folks to explore and decide which resources provided are appropriate for their community and meet their current needs. My goal is not to overwhelm you with resources but provide you with a variety to choose from. Please feel free to reach out to me if there are additional resources you are looking for that are not covered in this newsletter. My contact information is located at the bottom of the newsletter.
Sincerely,
Alberto Quintero
Education Programs Professional
Family Engagement | Nevada Department of Education
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Nevada COVID-19 State Website
The State of Nevada has created a website for all Nevada COVID-19 related news, updates, and resources put out by the State. Please visit the website to read any directives or declarations from Governor Sisolak. The website also contains critical information for different audiences, including schools and families. You can subscribe to receive email updates through the website as well.
Please share this website with your friends and families so they can read and receive the latest news in regard to COVID-19 in Nevada.
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Nevada State Superintendent of Instruction, Jhone Ebert, released a video on March 21, 2020, related to Governor Sisolak’s directive tied to education and highlighted some local efforts in Nevada. The text of the video can be found here.
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Department and Office Updates
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To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, most Department personnel are working from home. The family engagement office will still operate between the hours of 7:30 am – 4:00 pm (PDT) Monday – Friday. Please note that the family engagement office has full access to email and voicemail and will respond to you as soon as possible. Other offices within the Department may have slightly different operating hours.
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The Advisory Council for Family Engagement is currently not scheduled to meet until further notice.
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Family Engagement Tools and Resources
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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) PTA Resources for families, educators, and PTA leaders
The National PTA has compiled resources, tools, and information that will support families and teachers who are navigating working, teaching, and learning at home. People can also visit the website for the latest CDC and U.S. Department of Education resources for families and educators.
National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) Resources and Services Repository
NAFSCE has assembled a collection of learning resources, free or reduced-cost services, and information sources related to engaging families. The repository includes free resources for educators and families and links to free/discounted services. This list is updated regularly.
Nevada Regional Professional Development Program (RPDP) Resources
The Southern Nevada RPDP has put together a newsletter (click here) that gives tips for a 3 step process for districts, schools, and classroom teachers to consider using as they plan for and implement distance learning, especially for those students who are greatly affected by the digital divide. The Nevada RPDPs also compiled a list of free resources here.
The National Center for Families Learning Free Resources (NCFL)
NCFL is proud to offer a range of free resources to meet different literacy and education challenges.
ACT is offering digital learning and workforce resources to assist students, teachers, schools and workers impacted by COVID-19.
ACT announced a broad-based effort to provide free digital learning and workforce resources to assist students, teachers, schools and workers impacted by COVID-19.
Families in Schools Resources
In response to support families and students many individuals and organizations compiled lists of resources to support families across districts, counties, states and nationwide. Families in Schools wanted to re-share some of the resources found to support families as we try to slow the spread of COVID-19. For resources in Spanish please click here.
Institute for Educational Leadership Resource Page (IEL)
IEL has compiled a list of resources around access to basic needs, curriculum support and resources, updates for educators, technology for engaging families, and family resources.
NAFSCE Membership Fees Waived
To support the family engagement field during this critical time, NAFSCE is opening access to its member resources for all family engagement professionals, parents, advocates, and policymakers now through July 1, 2020. NAFSCE hopes you will help them continue this rich conversation through NAFSCE's online community, Member Connect where you can share resources and ideas, learn from other's progress, and gain support from your colleagues and peers. Register for your complimentary NAFSCE Membership here.
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Family Engagement Webinars and Articles
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Webinar Recording: Engaging Families Through the Coronavirus Pandemic: National Organizations Share Their Plans
In this webinar, national organizations at the forefront of providing resources and tools that parents and practitioners need to navigate through this uncharted territory shared what they are currently providing and what is planned moving forward. Attendees asked questions and shared their own ideas and resources through our webinar chat feature.
Dad Talk: 8 Tips on Reading to Your Kids, a Comforting Constant in a Time of Parenting High Anxiety
Whether Through Texts or Apps, Schools Are Using Technology to Get the Message Out to Students’ Families
The 2020 Census and Equity - Why It Matters and How You Can Help: Webinar Recording
The 2020 Census will have broad political implications for the next ten years on everything from funding for Title 1 and food assistance programs to school district boundaries. In the past, populations that have been underserved have been undercounted and thus not fully represented. Now, more than ever, it's important that families, schools, and communities work together to ensure that all families and children are accurately counted. Webinar recording and webinar slides.
Family Engagement Researcher and Practioner Dr. Steve Constantino Free Webinars
4/7/2020 | Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EST/ 11:00 a.m. PST
Invisible Engagement: How to Build the Efficacy of Every Family
In this webinar, Dr. Constantino will discuss his concept of invisible engagement, engagement that you may not see but can see the results of. With the present conditions of learning at home, this concept can easily be adapted by teachers and worked into the process that is already in place in their school to provide structure and lessons while students are away from school.
Audience: Teachers and those responsible for creating lessons.
REGISTER
4/14/2020 | Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EST/ 11:00 a.m. PST
Making More Out of Technology Available To Us: Social Media as a Two-Way Communication Tool
In this webinar, Dr. Constantino will share the research tenants of family efficacy and how those can be applied to the use of any social media platform a particular school or teacher may be using. Particular attention will be paid to research and practice that focuses on the use of technology to promote family efficacy. Several examples will be shared to give participants an opportunity to see the research put into real practice.
Audience: Any educator relying on technology to communicate with students and families.
REGISTER
4/21/2020 | Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. EST/ 11:00 a.m. PST
Family Academic Socialization: What Does It Mean and Why Is It Now Important?
There has never been a more important time in education. With an unprecedented upending of traditional schooling, teachers are placed in the position to direct learning from afar. In this webinar, strategies for family efficacy and feedback will be shared to help teachers better monitor and understand how learning is progressing at home. The term family academic socialization will be explained and broken down into usable components by teachers.
Audience: All educators.
REGISTER
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Engaging Families in the New Normal
Family Engagement Researcher and Practioner Dr. Steve Constantino Message. YouTube link.
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Nominations now being accepted for 2020 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year
In these trying times, NCFL and Toyota pause to recognize and applaud our nation’s teachers for all that they do for our families and our communities. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year. NCFL is seeking school- or community-based teachers who are passionate about engaging families and who demonstrate exemplary practices as candidates for the 2020 Toyota Family Teacher of the Year. The winner will receive a $20,000 grant award and the runner-up a $5,000 grant award to implement/expand their respective programs. Additional nomination requirements can be found here. Nominations must be submitted online no later than 11:59 p.m. PDT on Friday, June 27, 2020. Questions or additional assistance may be directed to Angel Chichester, AChichester@FamiliesLearning.org.
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Alberto Quintero
Education Programs Professional
Family Engagement
Nevada Department of Education
Phone: 702-668-4334
Email (preferred): albertoquintero@doe.nv.gov
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