Summit Schedule & Workshop Descriptions

Faces of Fitchburg Community Quilts

The Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM) partners with the Fitchburg Public Schools to bring together students and practicing contemporary artists, who co-create community-based public works of art. For the 2022 project two beautiful quilts were created by students (and their favorite adults) in collaboration with New England artist Clara Wainwright. In a series of workshops with the museum, participants crafted individual self-portraits from a wide variety of fabrics which Clara and her assistant Tracie Smart then composed into two large quilts that reveal a vibrant and creative community of young people from Fitchburg. The quilts were on view in the museum from October 2022 through March 2023 until they moved to Fitchburg City Hall in April 2023. The Fitchburg Community Quilts are made possible by the FAM Lionel Reinford Arts Enrichment Fund.

Community Art Project: RAW Art Works

Come add to our Summit community art project led by students from RAW! Located in Lynn, RAW is a youth arts organization, rooted in art therapy. RAW believes that all kids should be seen and heard and that everyone has a story to tell.

Everett High School Student Art Display

At Everett High School, students study a wide variety of art media, including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, fibers, and digital art. They gain knowledge of media techniques and art historical context in all Everett High School art courses. Students have also been learning about proportion, value, form, depth, composition and mood in their art courses. These works on display showcase their application of this knowledge. Students not only learn about the formal elements and principles of art and design and their applications, but also how to develop and hone their personal artistic voice. Students engage in meaningful academic discourse during both in-process and final critiques. The works on display at the summit demonstrate each artist's creative vision and perspective.  

1: Amazing Science Showcase! Doing Science Together

The love and curiosity children have for the world around them is contagious. We carved out a nook in our school lobby to showcase some awesome science and - stone soup style - it has been added to over the past eight months by families, teachers, administration, and the community. We are so excited to share this with you! Contact: Erin Campbell, Chair of Enrichment, Bedford Elementary Schools Together PTO

2: MassHealth Redeterminations: How to Protect Access to Care for Families 

With the end of the COVID Emergency, 2.3 million MassHealth members need to renew their health insurance coverage. This is a massive undertaking and many families need help renewing. Come learn about the MassHealth Redetermination Campaign and how to help people stay covered. Contacts: Maria Rosario Gonzalez Albuixech, Director of Communications and Community Engagement; Kathy Melley, Senior Advisor, Health Care For All

5: Holyoke Public Schools | From Outsiders to Allies: Empowering Families as Advocates 

Stop by to talk to district staff and see the kinds of information we use to support family partnership work, including our newsletter, flyers, a resource guide for our area, and other goodies. Contact: Adriana Colon, Family Engagement Specialist, Holyoke Public Schools, and Jasarah Burgos, New North Citizens Council Community Engagement Director 

11: Massachusetts Adult Literacy Hotline

This resource table will offer information about the many pathways and resources available for adult learners, with staff from the Adult and Community Learning service department available to answer questions and offer support.  Contacts: Facilitator: Alexandra Papagno, Director,and Jane Brandt, Project Coordinator, SABES Program Support Professional Development Center, World Education

22: Dr. MC’s Self-Care Cabaret: Burnout Prevention and Stress Management 

Conferences can be energizing and exciting. They gather us together to share the latest information, build best practices, and connect with colleagues and collaborators, new and old. The long days can also shift our routine and drain us emotionally and mentally. Drop by this resource table to refresh yourself and learn about self-care. Contacts: Theresa Melito-Conners, PhD; CEO/Founder,Dr. MC's Self-Care Cabaret; Special Education Administrator, Melrose Public Schools

24: Engaging and Supporting Parents in the Fitchburg Public Schools

Stop by to talk with Fitchburg Public School staff about family school partnership and see different resources they use to support family partnership work including a resource guide, online resources, adult ESL classes, publicity materials, ELPAC materials, and other materials. Contacts: Eva Kelly, English Learner Director, and Luisa Fernandez, Coordinator, Family and Community Engagement, Fitchburg Public Schools

30: Federation for Children with Special Needs 

Come find information for families and educators about FSCN training opportunities, online resources, and call center services. Contacts: FCSN Staff 

33: Project Bread - Food Resources for Families 

Find a wide variety of resources on school meals, summer meals, SNAP, the FoodSource Hotline, and more. Contacts: Project Bread Child Nutrition Team and FoodSource Hotline Counselor

37: Families First

Families First partners with parents to amplify their power so they can positively impact the lives of children and communities. Stop by the resource table to learn more about our Power of Parenting Program, Parent Leadership Program, and other resources. Contact: Qin Li, Senior Parent Leadership Program Manager, Families First

44: The New E2C Education-to-Career Research and Data Hub 

Stop by to test drive the new Education-to-Career (E2C) Research and Data Hub! Learn how you can use the Hub’s family resources and data dashboards and connect one-on-one with a member of the E2C Hub team with specific questions you have. Contacts: David Bogojevich, E2C Hub Data & Policy Analyst; Danielle Kane, E2C Hub Outreach and Engagement Specialist; Ofa Middleton, E2C Hub Equity and Research Manager; Ana Vasconcelos, E2C Hub Data & Policy Analyst; Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

45: School Finder Help Line 

Check out the School Finder Help Line resource table for information about free, multi-language information and support services for families looking to access educational opportunities for their children. Contact: Aceriane Leal, Program Manager, Federation for Children with Special Needs

62: Massachusetts Department of Mental Health - Children, Youth and Family Services

Learn about the Department’s services and find resources for supporting youth mental health. Contacts: Omar Irizarry, Director of Cross Agency Initiatives, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health

63: Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship

Learn about entrepreneurship education and ways you can help young people develop their entrepreneurial mindset and skills, with help from NFTE teachers and volunteers. Contact: Adanma Ude, Regional Director

64: Scholastic Education

Come browse children’s books in different languages and pick one to take home! Contact: Scholastic

68: Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership

Meet MBHP staff and  learn about the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line and other Community Behavioral Health Center services. Contact: Becky Manseau Barnett, Community Relations Manager, and Kate Hildreth-Fortin, LICSW, Provider Clinical Liaison, Carelon/MBHP

75: MA DESE Office of Family & Student Support

The Department is here to support deep family school partnership work. Stop by the resource table to learn about DESE initiatives, resources and training tools you can use to power up your efforts.

76: Mass Department of Public Health Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs

This resource table will offer information about the activities and services of the MA Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs, including family engagement initiatives, Community Support Line, assistance for school health planning and other services for students with complex medical needs, resources for health transition to adulthood, and more. Staff will be at the table, looking forward to meeting you and answering questions. Contact: Lisa Sheehy, Public Benefits & Health Policy Specialist, Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs, MA Department of Public Health

77: PPAL

Parent/Professional Advocacy League is a statewide, grassroots family organization that advocates for improved access to mental health services for children, youth and their families. PPAL offers free family support and many training, connection and support groups including groups for parents of children who identify as LGBTQIA+, grandparents raising grandchildren and a weekly Spanish speaking support group. PPAL is a free resource with multilingual staff and lived experience of raising children with mental health, trauma-informed care and behavioral support needs. Contacts: Beth Bergstrom,Central MA Assistant Program Manager, and Robin Richardson, Family Support Specialist, PPAL

5: From Outsiders to Allies: Empowering Families as Advocates 

There is more than one way for families to be a partner in their child’s learning. It’s not one size fits all! - although it sometimes feels like we do family school partnership that way. In this workshop, we will look at ways we can help families feel comfortable and confident in their ability to work with districts and community organizations to help students and families thrive. Facilitator: Adriana Colon, Family Engagement Specialist, Holyoke Public Schools, and Jasarah Burgos, New North Citizens Council Community Engagement Director 

6: Community Math Night: Mathematicians at Work!

Learn how to host a Community Math Night collaboratively with families and community members. Hear how other districts did it and how you can too! Facilitators: Dina Mendola, Partnership Lead Specialist, Math Tiered Academy/Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Crystal Bissing, Course & Implementation Specialist, Math Recovery

9: Playing to Learn and Learning to Play: Developing Social Emotional Skills 

Come learn about a Play and Learn Parent Workshop you can use to introduce important social emotional learning (SEL) skills and share activities families can use to help develop these skills. Parent Workshop materials are family-ready and available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Chinese and Brazilian Portuguese. Facilitators: Jane Haltiwanger, Early Learning Specialist, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 

10: Adult Education: Opportunity Knocks!

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Adult and Community Learning Services department offers a wide range of free opportunities for adults to learn English, prepare to get their high school equivalency credential, train for a new career, strengthen reading and writing skills, and much more! In this session, you’ll learn about the many opportunities and resources available to adult learners, with a special emphasis on opportunities for parents and families. Facilitator: Alexandra Papagno, Director,and Jane Brandt, Project Coordinator, SABES Program Support Professional Development Center, World Education

14: Google Tools for Strengthening Family School Partnership 

Are you looking for technology tips to help increase two-way communication between home and school? This workshop will provide opportunities to learn how to incorporate Google Translate, captions during presentations, and other Google tools into everyday life. Facilitator: Nelsy Peppler, Multilingual Department Head, Worcester Public Schools 

25: Empowering Family Members

In this workshop, parents will talk about their experiences with the Latino Education Institute’s parent and caregiver empowerment programs, resources they found most helpful, and how they use them to advocate for their child’s academic success. Facilitators: Michelle Santana, Program Coordinator, and Carmen Rosado, Program Coordinator, Latino Education Institute, Worcester State University

26: Introducing “Positive Solutions” Train the Trainer 

Learn how to deliver Positive Solutions for Families Train the Trainer, a free training program designed for educators who want to offer the Positive Solutions for Families program to families in your school. The program focuses on family engagement, social emotional learning for young children, and understanding cultural differences. Everett Public Schools will share their experiences and the impact Positive Solutions has had. Facilitators: Bridget Koetsch, Professional Training Coordinator, Federation for Children with Special Needs, and Jeanette Velez, Community Engagement Manager, Everett Public Schools

28: From Building Relationships to Empowering Families

In this session, we will look at ways our district is working intentionally to promote “ourship” by building trust with families, learning from them, and encouraging family voices. We will also share practices we use to promote parent leadership opportunities and our work to form Salem’s first Superintendent Parent Advisory Council. Facilitator: Laura Assade, Family Engagement Manager, Salem Public Schools

29: Disability and Stigma! What Parents and Educators Should Know 

This presentation was developed with youth with disabilities to provide them a platform for sharing their experiences with stigma. The session will include personal experiences, challenges with self-disclosure, and ways to navigate difficult conversations with youth. Facilitators: Mikayla Metcalf, Next Gen Youth Coordinator, Federation for Children with Special Needs

32: The ABCs of School Behavioral Health 

Schools are ideal places to promote healthy development and provide access to mental health services, and students benefit socially, emotionally and academically when we do. In this workshop, we’ll look at a comprehensive, multi-tiered framework for school behavioral health and best practices for integrating services into the fabric of the school. Facilitators: Melissa Pearrow, PhD, Director of BIRCh Project and Professor of School Psychology, and Sara Whitcomb, PhD, co-Director of BIRCh Project and Professor of School Psychology; University of Massachusetts-Boston

35: Medically Complex Students in the Classroom 

Strong relationships with school educators and administrators are vital for families of children with complex medical needs. Hear a parent and advocate share her experience advocating in the classroom and working collaboratively with her child’s community care nurses, school nursing staff, healthcare providers, and educators to provide a positive and safe classroom experience. Facilitators: Camila Arsenault, Fitchburg Parent, Special Education Parent Advisory Council Chair and Special Education Advocate

50: Building Relationships to Develop English Learner Parent Advisory Councils

This session will explore ways to strengthen family, school, and district relationships toward starting ELPACs in growing multilingual communities. Facilitators: David Valade, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

56: A Time to Reflect on Our Own Anti-Racist Practices (double block)                                   

Join Matthew Rodriguez and The Equity Imperative team for a double-block workshop to discuss ways in which to reflect on and challenge our most common practices for engaging families. This engaging session will provide a supportive space for families, schools, districts and community organizations to reflect on strategies for building stronger partnerships while also dismantling structures that have historically marginalized students and their families. Facilitator: Matthew Rodriguez, The Equity Imperative

3: The Power of the Circle

Come experience the power of restorative practices and circle conversations! Participants will actively engage in multiple circle conversations and explore multiple ways circles can be used in practice to build community and support meaningful connection. Facilitator: José Bou, Senior Associate, Great Schools Partnership  

7: Making it Add Up: Engaging Families in Early Mathematics

Research shows that early math skills are the greatest predictor of long-term academic achievement and success across all subject areas. Come explore ways districts have worked to expand opportunities for schools, families, and community members to foster positive attitudes towards mathematics. Facilitators: Dina Mendola, Partnership Lead Specialist, Math Tiered Academy, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Crystal Bissing, Course & Implementation Specialist, Math Recovery

8: Incorporating Voice in Big District Decisions

In response to community feedback, Holyoke Public Schools is moving from PreK-8 schools to separate elementary and middle schools. This requires redrawing school boundary lines to balance enrollment and demographics and ultimately create a more equitable educational experience. More than 50% of students will be impacted and change is hard! Come talk about ways we can seek out and incorporate the voices of those impacted when we make big decisions, with a commitment to include voices excluded in the past. Facilitators: Stefany Garcia, Family Access and Engagement Coordinator and Alex Saldaña, Family Access and Engagement Coordinator; Holyoke Public Schools, and Jasarah Burgos, Program Director, New North Citizens Council

13: Social Emotional Skills At School and At Home: Unpacking the CASEL Wheel 

In this session, we will explore the CASEL wheel, the leading school framework for social and emotional skill development. We will also look at ways families and educators can activate the five competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making for children. Participants will reflect on and share practices with each other and capture ideas they can share with teachers and other family members. Facilitators: Maureen Chapman and James Simons, Co-Founders, cor creative partners

15: Family Engagement with the Tik-Tok Generation 

Millennial parents are the most connected and technology-dependent generation. They are looking for safe, digital ways to stay connected with their child, teachers and early child care staff, especially tools that allow them to engage in real-time. For parents of children with special needs this is even more critical. In this session, we will discuss how programs are using mobile and web technologies to inform families and promote partnership. Facilitators: Kelly Mittal, CEO, myKidzDay; Member, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Parent and Community Education and Involvement Advisory

18: Family Feedback Session: What Does Strong Two-Way Communication Look Like? The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is in the process of reviewing the communication and literacy skills required for educator licensure and we would like feedback from family members. What does positive communication look like to you? What challenges have you experienced? What skills do you think are most important? Facilitator: Claire Smithney, Educator Effectiveness Coordinator, Mass. Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education

19: Using Trauma-Sensitive, Growth Mindset and Equity Practices 

Family school partnership is relationship work. Come learn how to use trauma sensitive, growth mindset and equity practices to better support the nuances of relationship development. You will also explore how these practices can help families feel welcome in schools, communication practices, and other interactions with families. Facilitator: Theresa Melito-Conners, PhD (Dr. MC), CEO/Founder,  Dr. MC's Self-Care Cabaret; Special Education Administrator, Melrose Public Schools

20: Supporting Siblings in Family Engagement 

Siblings of children with disabilities play unique roles in the lives of their brothers and sisters as formal or informal caregivers, care coordinators, advocates, classmates, friends, etc. However, they are often overlooked when it comes to family engagement. With a focus on lived experiences, this workshop will look at the various roles that siblings may play in the special education process and the ways that schools can support siblings and involve them in family engagement efforts. Facilitator: Emma Gregory, Statewide Trainer, Federation for Children with Special Needs 

21: Early College: A Pathway to Opportunity 

Early College is an exciting high school pathway opportunity that lets students earn a minimum of 12 college credits by high school graduation - for free! Early College also helps build college readiness skills, including study skills, self-advocacy, and the ability to navigate college and university resources. This workshop will get families and educators talking about early college and how we can work together to engage students in this exciting opportunity. Facilitators: Phylitia Jamerson, Executive Director, Early College, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

23: Parents Learning Together: Facilitating Child and Youth Learning 

Learning never stops! This interactive session will enable family members to share perspectives and ideas with each other about ways family members can inspire their children with various collaborative learning activities. Facilitator: Dr. Amit Gandhi, Parent and Member, Billerica Partners for Education and Locke PTO

42: Heads, Hearts and Hands: Going ALL IN for Students and Families with Special Healthcare Needs 

Join a podcast-style conversation with school health professionals, educators, and families focused on providing quality care for students with complex medical needs. Participants will also learn about the CMC-SHARE (Children with Medical Complexity School Health Resources & Education) Project, a multi-pronged effort from Boston University SHIELD and the MA Department of Public Health delivering resources to school nurses and community members. Facilitator: Erin Sivak, Nurse Educator, Boston University School Health Institute for Education and Leadership Development (SHIELD). 

46: Innovations for Caregiver Engagement 

Learn about different approaches and activities family liaisons in Salem are using to engage, build, and repair caregiver-school engagement. Facilitators: Anny Cruz, Maria Arias Reyes and Jenni Espinal, Family Engagement Facilitators, Salem Public Schools

56: A Time to Reflect on Our Own Anti-Racist Practices (double block A + B)

60: The Family Institute for Student Success

Join us to learn about the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Family Institute for Student Success. FISS, for short, offers a broad range of training programs schools can tap into to help families and educators learn evidence-based practices and models for working together in systemic, intentional, and culturally and linguistically responsive ways, while strengthening partnerships between families and schools. Find out how FISS can be part of your community! Facilitator: Bertha-Elena Rojas, FISS Project Lead, Humanity Advanced, and Noe Medina, FISS Evaluation Specialist, Educational Policy Research

65: Boosting Academic Success with Literacy-Based Mentorship Programs to Engage Families and Communities                                                                                

Mentorship is good for community and relationship building and has positive impacts on youth and educational outcomes. Fayette County Public Schools (Kentucky) implements a successful mentoring program and drop-out prevention initiatives by incorporating family and community engagement. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn critical impacts of engaging families and communities in the learning process, which not only increases academic achievements but also builds a culture of equity, belonging, and love for literacy and learning. Facilitators: Christian Adair, M.Ed., Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Specialist, Executive Director, Alpha League; and Terica Butler, Ed.D., Director of Development, Scholastic Family and Community Engagement

27: Postsecondary Transition: How I Was Supported and How I Wish I'd Been Supported 

Hear youth with disabilities share their postsecondary transition experiences -- the good, the bad, and the in-between - and ways parents/caregivers and educators could better approach transition planning and prioritize youth voice. Facilitator: Rebecca Davis, Director of Transitions Projects, Federation for Children with Special Needs

31: Co-Creating a Shared Parent Engagement Action Plan 

FCSN's APPLE Institute is a free, virtual training program to help parent leaders, special education administrators, and school community members build collaborative leadership teams and increase family engagement in school activities. Join this session where we will assign roles to participants and simulate the APPLE Action Planning experience. Facilitators: Leslie Leslie, MassPAC Director and Cambria Russell, Massachusetts Statewide Family Engagement Center Director, Federation for Children with Special Needs

34: ELPAC: The First Year 

How do you start an English Learners Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC)? How do you establish a group that works for family members? This interactive session will present ideas, struggles, and strategies that have worked in implementing long-lasting ELPAC groups in our districts. Mrs. Johnson - new to this endeavor - and Mrs. Tatiana - an experienced ELPAC leader - will share their experience in establishing this parent group and help inspire and equip other professionals to take on the challenge. Facilitators: Tatiana Lara Meléndez, ELPAC Chair, Leominster Public Schools; Lydia E Johnson, English Learner District Instructional Lead and CAPEI President, Berkshire Hills Regional School District

36: Walking & Rolling: Collaborating to Support Student Commuters

School begins with a student’s journey to school. Learn about an innovative collaboration between MassDOT and the Lawrence Mayor’s office that is helping to bolster school attendance, family physical activity, and social interaction (while decreasing traffic!) and helping students be safe walkers and bikers. Tools shared will include mapping, DESE-approved curriculum, and materials for engaging family champions. Facilitators: Judith Crocker, Statewide Coordinator, MA Safe Routes to School, and Elecia Miller, Coordinator, City of Lawrence Mayor’s Health Task Force/CHNA 11/Mass in Motion

37: Developing Family Leaders the Dual Capacity Way 

Families First's research-based Parent Leadership program provides opportunities for parents and schools to work together to strengthen family engagement practices. We will review how the leadership training and community impact projects can help elevate parent voices and build school capacity to implement effective family engagement programs. Facilitators: Magda Rodriguez, Senior Director of Strategic Growth & Programming and Qin Li, Statewide Parent Leadership Program Manager, Families First

38: Leveraging MEFA’s Postsecondary Planning Tools

Learn about MEFA Pathway, a free online postsecondary planning platform, and other free resources from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority. Participants will also learn about ongoing professional development opportunities through the MEFA Institute. This is a great session for families, educators and college access professionals supporting middle and high school students! Facilitator: Apelila Joseph, MEFA Pathway Program Manager, Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority

39: Supporting Newcomer Educators and their Families 

The Spanish Immersion Program in Mendon-Upton hires educators who are often new to our community. We learned that many of these educators were experiencing difficult professional and personal challenges with this transition and formed a group that worked together to address some of them. Our session will present our story, the resources we produced to support these educators, and what we learned. Facilitators: Cheryl Kirkpatrick, Assistant Superintendent; Laurie Petti, Human Resource Manager; Cayla McBee, Parent; Aimee Osterhus, Parent; Mart Calvo, New Spanish Immersion Teacher; and Meagan Pike, Spanish Immersion Coordinator, Mendon-Upton Public Schools; Nazaret Molina, New Spanish Immersion Teacher; and Ainara Lane, Parent

40: Partnering with Families: How It’s Done at Gardner Pilot Academy!

As a Boston Public Schools Community Hub School for over 20 years, the GPA prioritizes family engagement as a key component to our model. Participants will hear from staff and families about HOW this work is done and the impact it has had on the well-being of the entire GPA community. Facilitators: Nicolasa Lopez, Family and Community Engagement Director; Nereida Tejeda, Family Liaison, Gardner Pilot Academy

43: Using Data to Improve School Communications and Empower Families 

Tour the new Massachusetts Education-to-Career (E2C) Research and Data Hub and discover how it can help family members and educators communicate a school or district’s story through data. We will also talk about ways  families and district/school staff can use data together, collaboratively, to inform policies, programs and initiatives and think about other data you might need to successfully support students. Facilitators: Ofa Middleton, E2C Hub Equity and Research Manager, and David Bogojevich, E2C Hub Data & Policy Analyst, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Ana Vasconcelos, E2C Hub Data & Policy Analyst, Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care

47: Meal Access for All: Connecting Child Nutrition Programs to the Community 

Nutrition programs play an integral role in supporting a child’s growth, development and learning. In this session, you will learn about school wellness efforts and ways nutrition programs can strengthen the partnership between schools, families and communities. Facilitators: Nicole Good, School Wellness Specialist, and Julianna Valcour, R.D., M.Ed., School Nutrition Programs Coordinator, Mass. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

48: The Power of Partnership: Moving from Limited Resources to Abundant Opportunity 

This interactive session will get participants moving, listening, and sharing ideas about common family engagement challenges and ways to turn them into opportunities. Through group discussion and brief snapshots of successful practices, we will inspire one another to think creatively about access, collaboration, and the power of parent voice. You will walk away clearer about the role you can play when families, schools, and communities work together for student success. Facilitators: Aceriane Leal, Program Manager, School Finder Help Line, Federation for Children with Special Needs; Barbara Lora, English Language Acquisition Coach, District Lead for Brockton Public Schools Parent Advisory Council; and Rosalie Rippey, Special Projects Manager, Massachusetts Statewide Family Engagement Center/Federation for Children with Special Needs

57: Can You Hear Me?  (double block C & D) 

During this double-block workshop, Matthew Rodriguez from the Equity Imperative, along with staff and students from local middle and high schools, will share their reflections on Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) and how Massachusetts schools are using the process to elevate student voice in the context of social justice issues. Facilitator: Matthew Rodriguez, The Equity Imperative

58: What are the High School Options For My Child? 

Members of the College, Career and Technical Education unit at DESE will help families understand the various opportunities available to students for their high school education: traditional high school, comprehensive high school, career technical schools, alternative education models, and the pathways and career-connected learning opportunities that may be part of each. Facilitator: Garvy Altine, Education Specialist, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

61: Developing the Welcome Center: Community Connections Behind a Family Resource Hub

The Attleboro Public Schools Welcome Center is wrapping up our first year of serving families in-person. The Welcome Center is the culmination of two years of dedicated work to build community connections, increase access to local resources, and prioritize the capacity of families so they can support student learning. In this session, Welcome Center representatives will share their experiences and steps for establishing a resource hub for district families. Facilitators: Sarah Angelovski, Assistant Director of Family Engagement and Assistance, and Joanne DiPalma, Director of Family Engagement and Assistance, Attleboro Public Schools

66: Four Family School Partnership Leadership Moves

Most leaders understand the importance of partnering with families, but it’s not always clear how to support deep partnership work in everyday practice. This workshop is specifically designed to help district and school leaders explore four leadership “moves” you can make to translate a big idea - family school partnership - into action. Facilitators: Patricia Spradley and Andy Beck, School & Main Institute

72. Family Engagement Core Competencies: Equipping Staff to Engage for Impact

Family engagement takes more than caring, it requires capacity. This presentation will provide an overview of the NAFSCE Family Engagement Core Competencies: A Body of Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions for Family-Facing Professionals. This report identifies eight core competencies essential for staff working with families from early childhood through elementary and beyond. Participants will explore ways of using the Core Competencies to reflect on their own professional practice and to guide professional development and staff training. Facilitator: Reyna Hernandez, Senior Director of Research and Policy, National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement 

12: What Should Students Be Learning in STEM Classrooms? 

Staff from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Center for Instructional Support will model learning activities that support Massachusetts Math and Science standards and demonstrate how students should learn science, technology, engineering and math skills. We will also share DESE Family Guides family members can use to talk with students, teachers, and schools about STEM learning in classrooms. Facilitators: Casandra Gonzalez, Science Specialist, and Nicole Scola, Assistant Director of STEM, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

16: Get Hands On With DESE's New Investigating History Curriculum 

Come learn about Investigating History, a first-of-its kind history and social science curriculum for Grades 5-7, published by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It’s available absolutely free to Massachusetts educators! Teachers will share how they are using the curriculum to engage students and their families in meaningful, culturally affirming learning and the impact on their classroom. Participants will also provide input to help shape new materials currently in development for Grades 3-4. Facilitators: Reuben Henriques, History/Social Science Content Support Lead, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

17: The Transformative Power of Student-Led IEPs 

Student-led Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are transformational. Engaging youth with disabilities in their IEP process allows teams to have intentional conversations about individual needs, strengths, and goals with the most essential advocate – the self-advocate! This workshop will share best practices and case studies from districts that use student-led IEPs. Participants will also learn how to support family members as their student steps into the lead and develop an action plan for implementing these practices in their communities. Facilitator: Katrina Delaney, Founder, Empowered Pathways

41: How Your Child’s Brain Learns (In Spanish)

In this session, we will explore how a child’s brain learns and ways families can use this knowledge to support academic development and strong family communication. Session delivered in Spanish and English. Facilitator: Dr. Sylvia Gines-Villanueva, Educational Consultant

49: Collaborating Across the Community to Build Positive Relationships

Hear varied voices share their experiences providing and seeking support as community members in Foxborough. You will hear about resources available in our area, experiences connecting with those resources, and highlights from successes we have had as we continue our work together. Facilitators: Pam McGuire, Foxborough Town Social Worker and Foxborough Special Education Parent Advisory Board;  Quincy Family Resource Center Representatives

51: Equity-First Transformation: Strategizing with Family as Partners
This session will provide parents and school leaders with a framework for a community-driven strategic planning process led by educators, students, parents and other key stakeholders that cultivates coalitions of support and accountability for important strategic priorities. Participants will leave the session with actionable resources to engage in equity-centered district strategic planning. Facilitators: Dr. Cassandra Brentley, Engagement Manager, and Dr. Leslie Chang, Chief People Officer, Mass Insight

52: Foundations of LGBTQ-Inclusive Schools

This session provides tools for creating queer-inclusive and gender-expansive classrooms where LGBTQ+ students - and by extension, all students - can thrive. Participants will get a thorough introduction to the Act Relative to Gender Identity and other laws and policies that protect students from discrimination and learn about resources and best practices for improving school climate and supporting LGBTQ+ students, particularly students at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. Facilitator: Kimm Topping, Program Manager, Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students, JRI

53: Partnering with Families with Students in Custody 

This session will provide an opportunity for families to share experiences and gather information and resources that can help strengthen family partnership for children and young adult family members in custody. DESE presenters will both listen to family needs and offer strategies for better access and partnerships among school districts, custodial facilities, families, and students inside. Facilitator: Yvonne Gittelson, Corrections Program Specialist, Adult and Community Learning Services, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

54: Me, Myself and My Journey - An Immigrant’s View

Personal and family journeys are unique and transitions are hard, especially when we are part of systems that are not designed to meet individual needs. In this workshop, we will see life through the eyes of an immigrant and talk about what would help ease the journey and strengthen family partnership. Facilitator: Liliana Patino, M.Ed., Director of Community Engagement, Eliot Family Resource Center

55: Elevating Family Voice  

In this interactive session, participants will engage in a conversation about better ways families and schools can partner around their children’s learning. Participants will share positive partnership experiences and reflect on challenges that can impact the ability of families to see schools as partners and the ability of schools to communicate with and partner effectively with families. Throughout the session, we will center family voice and the importance of elevating opportunities to hear from families. Facilitator: Eric Washington, Diversity and Culturally Responsive Manager, Center for Strategic Initiatives, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education [don’t translate: and a panel of students, school and district staff]

57: Can You Hear Me?  (double block C + D)

59: MyCAP: Start Planning in Middle School for Success After High School!

This session will provide an overview of MyCAP, a tool that empowers middle school students to start creating their own path to success after high school. We will also look at ways school staff and families/caring adults can work with each student to support, encourage, and guide the student on their journey to success. At least one school will be present to share their strategy for using MyCAP with students and families. Facilitator: Lisa Harney, Coordinator of Secondary Supports, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

68: MA Behavioral Health HelpLine and Community Behavioral Health Centers

During this presentation, representatives from Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership will provide an overview of the state’s new Behavioral Health Help Line, as well as Community Behavioral Health Centers. They will discuss system changes, functionality, and reach of the new services. MBHP is the state of Massachusetts’ vendor for operating both the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line and Community Behavioral Health Centers.

Contact: Becky Manseau Barnett, Community Relations Manager, and Kate Hildreth-Fortin, LICSW, Provider Clinical Liaison, Carelon/MBHP 

70: Partnering to Prevent Bullying

In this workshop, families, district and school administrators will learn about our state’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention law and discuss strategies for preventing, responding to, and reporting bullying incidents. We will also talk about ways schools, families and students can work together as partners to design and support anti-bullying strategies. Facilitators: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

71: Meaningfully Involving Stakeholders in School Monitoring

The Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) is a unit within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) focused on racial equity and cultural responsiveness. We currently have three internal workgroups looking at ways we could more meaningfully involve students, families, teachers, METCO directors and staff, and communities in the Tiered Focused Monitoring (TFM) process. Come learn about the process and share recommendations for involving family members and other stakeholders. Facilitators: Henry Ndakalu, Erin VandeVeer, Corey Steinman, Alaena Podmore; Educational Specialists, Office of Public School Monitoring, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

73. Opportunities for Administrators to Advance Family & Community Engagement

School and district administrators can play a fundamental role in creating the conditions for effective family-school-community partnerships, from communicating and culture-setting to staff development and creating collaborative infrastructure.  This session will present a framework, based on NAFSCE’s Opportunity Canvas, for administrators to reflect on their roles and responsibilities and to identify levers for change which they can implement to foster conditions for effective engagement with families and communities. Facilitator: Reyna Hernandez, Senior Director of Research and Policy, National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement