Families gathered, socialized, and heard about the new Parent Engagement Programs that Westlawn will have next school year. The parent engagement programs include: Family Literacy, Early Literacy and Leadership Development for Hispanic Families, Parents as Educational Partners, and Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY). A BIG thank YOU to Mrs. Gutierrez, Westlawn’s parent liaison, for her hard work, dedication, and advocacy throughout the year for Westlawn families.
Family and School Partnerships
Family Literacy: The Family Literacy Program is a beginning English program for all parents who want to learn English. Parents are encouraged to bring their children, kindergarten through 6th grade. We will have Enrichment Teachers working with the children while the parents learn English.
Early Literacy: The Early Literacy Program is a free, interactive parenting education program for Fairfax County families who have young children from birth to five years of age and whose home language is Arabic, Korean, or Spanish.
Parents as Educational Partners: The PEP program is designed for parents of English learners. The focus is on interactive activities and ongoing education rather than sporadic events. The parents are provided information and school vocabulary that allow them to better navigate the US school system and become more involved in their children’s education, The curriculum includes opportunities for parents to improve their English language skills in the context of the school environment.
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY): HIPPY is a home-based school readiness program that helps qualifying parents prepare their three-, four-, and returning five-year-old children for success in school. Parents receive the tools, skills, and confidence they need to be their children’s first teachers in the home. Age-appropriate activities, material, and guidance are provided to support parents in this role.
For more information, contact Ms. Ferguson at laferguson1@fcps.edu or Mrs. Gutierrez at smgutierrez@fcps.edu