How do we create meaningful connections with multilingual families? This session will analyze the innovative approach of Superintendent Diego Ochoa (San Mateo-Foster City, CA) to provide multilingual families with the consistent communication and resources in English and Spanish needed to help parents feel connected and support their children’s academic success.

Dr. Ochoa created a centralized team of Community Service Specialists that analyze the Footsteps2Brilliance data with the goal of increasing parental involvement in historically hard-to-reach areas of his District. 

His systematic approach to communication involves multiple dissemination points: Café con Diego, Board/Community Workshops, Superintendent’s Youtube Townhall, text messages, emails, direct phone calls, home visits, podcasts, social media, newsletters and weekly communications. Celebrations and recognition of student progress promote positive experiences. 

The district’s proactive outreach has attained phenomenal student literacy results: kindergarten students reading at grade level have increased from 48% to 86%.