Newsletter

Welcome to the July edition of our Family Engagement Network Newsletter!

As we step into the warmth of summer, we are reminded of the joy and opportunities this time brings. Summer is a time for family, creativity, and exploration. It's a chance to slow down, connect with our loved ones, and create lasting memories together.

As a working parent, I am personally embracing the summer by getting creative with summer cooking and finding fun, educational activities to enjoy with my family in our daily routines. From trying out new recipes to embarking on nature walks and exploring new board games, this season offers countless opportunities for meaningful family time.

As we reflect on the past year and look forward to the future, let's continue to strengthen our partnership. Together, we can ensure that every student receives the encouragement and support they need to reach their full potential.

I am also excited about our upcoming Family Engagement Network Meetings and Leadership Labs. These meetings provide wonderful opportunities for us to learn, share insights, and grow together as a community. Please look for the dates below and mark your calendars—more information to come.

Thank you for being an essential part of our community and for your ongoing commitment to our students' success. Let's make this summer a time of joy, learning, and connection.

Warm regards,

Sonia Rezkalah

Family Engagement Administrator

Please keep an eye out for our FEN and Leadership Lab flyers and registration details, which will be shared soon. We look forward to your participation and to continuing our journey of fostering meaningful family engagement and leadership. Stay tuned for more information!

September 17, 2024

October 8, 2024

January 14, 2025

March 19, 2025

November 5, 2024

February 4, 2025

April 14, 2025

Summer is a wonderful time for families to bond and create lasting memories, but it's also an excellent opportunity to incorporate learning into everyday activities. Here are some ideas to keep the learning going all summer long:

• Cooking Together

  • Practice reading the recipe and following directions.
  • Reinforce fractions by measuring ingredients.
  • Explore the chemistry of cooking.
  • Learn about nutrition and the food groups.

• Folding Laundry

  • Practice sorting and matching like objects.
  • Learn about categorization and organization skills.
  • Discuss textures, fabrics, and the properties of different materials.

• Driving or Traveling on Public Transportation

  • Generate questions about their surroundings.
  • Talk about time and distance.
  • Play educational games like “I Spy” or counting games.
  • Learn about maps and navigation.

• Grocery Shopping

  • Create a shopping list and discuss budgeting.
  • Compare prices and practice basic math skills.
  • Learn about nutrition labels and healthy choices.
  • Discuss the origins of different foods.

• Gardening

  • Learn about plant biology and the life cycle of plants.
  • Measure growth and track changes in a garden journal.
  • Explore the importance of insects and other pollinators.
  • Discuss the environmental benefits of gardening.

• Cleaning the House

  • Practice organization and sorting skills.
  • Learn about different cleaning materials and their uses.
  • Discuss hygiene and the importance of a clean environment.
  • Develop responsibility and teamwork.

• Going for a Walk or Bike Ride

  • Observe and identify local wildlife and plants.
  • Discuss the importance of exercise and healthy living.
  • Learn about pedestrian and bike safety.
  • Use a map to plan routes and learn about directions.

• Reading Together

  • Read a variety of books and discuss the stories.
  • Practice reading aloud and improving literacy skills.
  • Explore different genres and authors.
  • Create a family book club and discuss themes and characters.

• Playing Board Games or Puzzles

  • Develop strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Practice counting, addition, and subtraction.
  • Enhance vocabulary and language skills.
  • Learn about teamwork and taking turns.

• Arts and Crafts

  • Explore different materials and textures.
  • Learn about colors, shapes, and patterns.
  • Develop fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, and drawing.
  • Express creativity and discuss the history of different art forms.

• Visiting the Library

  • Choose and read books on various topics of interest.
  • Participate in library programs and events.
  • Encourage a love of reading and lifelong learning.

• Playing Outdoor Games

  • Practice physical skills like running, jumping, and coordination.
  • Learn about the rules and strategies of different games.
  • Develop social skills through teamwork.
  • Discuss the importance of physical activity and health.

The Riverside County Office of Education, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, and Inland Area CUE have partnered together to introduce the Learning, Innovation, and Technology in Education (LITE) conference. Educational technology facilitates learning experiences that are targeted, relevant, actively engaging, socially connected, and growth-oriented. This two-day conference will support educators in developing technological and pedagogical knowledge in support of effective teaching and learning.

The Arts at RCOE is very pleased to present this amazing day of arts speakers, presentations, and workshops. This is our first ever arts conference, and we intend for it to be an annual event that enriches the counties of Riverside, San Bernardino, Mono, and Inyo. Attendees will hear two incredible keynote speakers and have their choice of four different arts sessions. Sessions being offered include visual arts, music, theater, stage tech, dance, mindfulness, poetry, emotional liberation, arts leadership, and arts integration. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are included. Awesome swag and an incredible raffle prize you won’t want to miss! Come spend the day with us, deeply involved in the joy and practice of the arts.

The Ethnic Studies Summit is the first event in a series of seven offerings by the Riverside County Office of Education during the 2024-2025 school year. This event is intended to provide support for Riverside county local educational agencies (LEA's) efforts to develop high school ethnic studies courses. This summit will feature workshops by experts in their respective fields who will focus on the academic and pedagogical aspects of course development, the interdisciplinary features of ethnic studies, conceptual aspects of ethnic studies, and applied student learning activities within community-based, STEAM-based, and entrepreneurial-based educational models.

Equity starts with everyone, and each step toward equity requires the collective stride of every soul. In order to break down barriers in our schools, every voice and every action matters profoundly. Now in its 11th year, the Excellence Through Equity Conference is expanding to include strands and speakers that are inclusive to every department in every school district. Staff from accounting and health services to human resources and technology, and every role in between, are invited to the 2024 Excellence Through Equity Conference to identify the essential nature of their roles through the lens of equity. This year’s conference will engage, equip, and uplift more educators than ever before through mindset shifting, collaboration, and professional learning.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or community member, our Resource Hub has something for everyone. Resources are strategically divided among the three regions of Riverside County – Central, Eastern, and South – ensuring that family engagement practitioners across the county have equitable access to valuable tools and materials.

Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, challenges families with children birth - 5th grade to read 10 Million Words on Footsteps2Brilliance this summer, June 17 - August 2. The TOP 5 readers will win prizes!

Just follow the steps below to get started:

1. Register for FREE: www.myf2b.com/riverside
2. Go to: www.footsteps2brilliance.com/virtual-summer-school
3. Follow the daily lessons for your child's grade level.