Parents and Families Newsletter

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PBS Kids

Father and daughter preparing a meal

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Meal Planning

with Kids

Emotional self-care chart

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Emotional Self-Care Routines

The TEA English Learner Support Division is excited to host three virtual statewide events this upcoming school year. Families will have an opportunity to attend watch parties hosted by schools or watch virtually from home on a smart device. Our first event will focus on what educational equity looks like to meet the language and academic needs of your child. Check with your child’s school to see if they are hosting a watch party for this event. Registration coming soon!

If you are interested in learning more about the opportunities and resources available to migrant families, register for the AMET Conference. It will be in San Marcos, Texas on November 16-18, 2022 and will give you the opportunity to meet migrant families as well as educators dedicated to servicing the migrant communities of Texas.

Home language survey form

Starting School

Identification Process and Language Programs

As you register your child in a Texas public school for the first time, you will be asked to fill out a Home Language Survey for each child in grade prekindergarten through grade 8 (or by the student in grades 9-12). Remember this is to begin the process of ensuring that your child receives the support that he/she might need as their English and literacy skills grow.

For more information about the identification process for emergent bilingual students, please watch the Process for Serving English Learners video in English or Spanish.

If your child qualifies as an emergent bilingual student, the school will contact you about the services and type of language program that they recommend.

If you would like more information about the types of language programs available for emergent bilingual students, please watch the program overview videos at the bottom of the Parents and Families page.

We want to ensure that you, as a parent, feel confident and knowledgeable about the services and programs that your child participates in. Fill out this survey to let us know how we can improve and expand awareness of bilingual learning to families across Texas.

Father and daughter preparing a meal

Plan out breakfast

To help mornings run smoother , consider preparing breakfast meals in advance. First, talk with your child about their favorite breakfast meals and have them write out the grocery list. You can work together to prepare a number of breakfast meals that are quick to prepare and eat before school. Try some breakfast ideas like sheet tray pancakes, breakfast tacos, or overnight oats.

family of four sitting at a dining table

Evening recap

Between sports, jobs, and homework; it’s a surprise that you ever see your teenager. Even when the family schedule allows you to eat together as a family, it may be hard to get your teenager to say more than a few words. Don’t panic! If your teenager struggles to share about their day, try some of these funny conversation starters for teenagers.

In the 2nd month of exploring the 8 types of self-care from the Daily Caring article, let’s explore emotional self-care by identifying true feelings then processing those emotions. Practicing emotional self-care “involves respecting boundaries, forgiving others, seeking laughter, being vulnerable, having self-compassion, and allowing yourself to feel grief.”

During the month of August, try incorporating one of the following ideas to help identify and process your emotions.

emotional self-care chart

You could start a journal when you are experiencing strong emotional responses. Don’t worry if you are too busy to write it all out, you can always try an audio or video journal.
If you need something more active than journaling, turn on some of your favorite music to sing and dance out your struggles.
Invite family or friends over to listen or watch a favorite funny show and laugh out all those struggles.

If you missed last month’s physical self-care tips, check out the July Newsletter.

Starting off on the right foot

Starting a new school year is an exciting and scary time not just for the children, but for parents as well. You might have less time with your child once school starts back, so take the time now to set up new habits and an open dialogue with your child. It will start them off on the right foot, and remind them that you are there to support them if they struggle.

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