Lincoln ESD 156 understands family makeup varies widely and can include parents, stepparents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and others living in the household. Families also come from a variety of cultural backgrounds and have a variety of values and traditions. 

At Lincoln, there are numerous and varied ways to effectively engage family members in their child’s experience, from asking them to help out at the school to allowing them to take an active role in decision-making processes. 

Parent Education

There are many opportunities to attend professional development at Lincoln, which provides a rich mix of information about issues of critical importance to parents.  Workshops such as parenting skills, student and family health, education classes for parents, Family Reading and Math programs to name a few.  We also have a yearly conference for parents at the Superintendents’ Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity, which offers a variety of workshops and includes breakfast, lunch, childcare and transportation.  All of these opportunities are free to parents.

Involvement

Parents are also encouraged to attend PTA and other school events and volunteer opportunities. 

Decision Making and Advocacy

At the beginning of the year, parents are given a survey in Spanish or English to develop a needs assessment.  During the school year, parents are encouraged to complete the 5Essentials survey for the district.  Parents meet with teachers at least twice a year during Parent/Teacher Conferences however, teachers are available to meet with parents as needed.  During Parent/Teacher Conferences, data is shared with parents regarding their child’s development as well as activities that parents can do at home to help develop support the teacher.   Parents are invited to Title I Parent meetings, which meet twice a year, and there is a preschool parent represented in the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC), which meets four times a year.  We have also have an Early Childhood Education Parent Advisory Committee (ECE PAC) that meets four times a year as well. 

Our goal is to meet these four principles:

·      Develop system that support family engagement

·      Build welcoming and supportive environments

·      Enhance communication with parents

·      Include parents in decision making

Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC)

What is the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee?

The Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) is a group of parents/guardians who meet with teachers and administrators as well as other community members and representatives regularly to advocate for fair EL and Bilingual programming for their child. The majority of the members shall be parents/guardians.

Purpose of the BPAC?

• Consists of a majority of bilingual program parents and guardians, and includes TBE teachers, counselors and community leaders

• Gives recommendations to program

• Majority of members are parents/guardians of children in the program

• Membership representative of the languages served

• Receive training from the district to make informed decisions

• Participate in planning, operation and evaluation of programs.

When does the BPAC meet?

The BPAC meets quarterly.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become a leader in your child’s school and community as well as contribute to the vision and mission of Lincoln ESD 156. Please see Mrs. Evans.

More information about Parent Involvement, click on Lincoln's Parent University website