Parents of Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 students will get an opportunity to learn about new ways their children are being taught reading, and how to deal with potential issues with them at home, this spring.
Sessions are planned by the district’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team to introduce parents to the science of reading, de-escalation strategies and more, to help them become more engaged with their youngsters’ learning
Tasia Fields, the district’s director of equity and inclusion, briefed the District 60 Board of Education on upcoming FACE Department programs Tuesday at the Lincoln Center administration building in Waukegan, to let it know what is planned.
“This is part of our parent university,” Fields said. “We really want to encourage parents to come out and learn some of the things we are doing here in the district, specifically with the science of reading.”
Inaugurating the first session of the parent university this spring is an introduction to the science of reading. Fields said after the meeting it will take place in April, but a firm date is not set. It is part of the district’s new literacy program.
Dealing with phonics, reading comprehension, fluency, vocabulary and phonological awareness — understanding sounds in spoken language — she said parents will get tips to help their children with their studies.
“The parents will learn about decoding skills and comprehension skills,” Fields said. “They’ll understand what their children are reading and doing.”
Learning de-escalation strategies will be part of the parent university in May. It will be taught by a licensed clinical professional to help families deal with behavioral issues that may arise.
“We’ll be talking about cultivating resilience, reframing discipline at home and possible concerns about trauma,” Fields said.
Once the Board of Education approves Destination 2028 — the district’s proposed new strategic plan — this spring, Fields said there will be a session of the parent university scheduled to explain it.
Eduardo Cesario, the district’s deputy superintendent of academic support and programs, said at the meeting the plan, which has been more than a year in the making, is in its final stages and will soon be ready for board approval.
“We went through the process of … what we’re going to do, this is why we’re going to do it and this how we’re going to do it,” Cesario said. “Once that’s all done, then we’ll go out with what are the goals of the district, and what are the priorities.
With work started on the strategic plan in late 2022, Cesario said after the meeting the plan is a very high-altitude view of the goals of the district based on four pillars — dealing with inclusivity, the climate for learning in the 21st Century, equity and partnerships.
Though dates are not set for the first three parent university sessions, Fields said an Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration is scheduled for May 3 at 5:30 p.m. Jack Benny Middle School.
Though there are nearly three months left in the current school year, Fields said planning is already underway for the annual Back to School Resource Fair on July 27 at the Brookside Campus of Waukegan High School.
Fields said FACE Department managers Quinn Norman and Eridania Soler are primarily responsible for planning and organizing the events.
