NEW!  OEO Parent Handbooks

Since being an involved parent means being an informed parent, we have published a series of four parent handbooks titled: "What every parent needs to know."  These handbooks cover important information that families need in order to partner effectively with schools:

• "What every parent needs to know: How to Be an Education Advocate" - Informs parents about how the public school system works and how to form partnerships with schools; gives practical tips for good communication with schools; and suggests ways to resolve conflict with schools.
  
  
• "What every parent needs to know: Basic Education Rights and Opportunities in Public Schools"- Covers student rights and responsibilities in Washington State; attendance, truancy, and the process for filing petitions; and answers questions about students' rights to appeal discipline actions.
  
  
• "What every parent needs to know: Discipline in Public Schools" - Covers enrollment policies; how and why students can be disciplined; and explains the different kinds of discipline and specific actions implemented for each.
  
  
• "What every parent needs to know: Protecting the Educational Rights of Students with Disabilities in Public Schools" - Covers finding educational help for students with disabilities and understanding the legal protections and policies for these students.

There are three ways to receive free copies:

1. Call our toll-free number 1-866-297-2597.

2. Download manuals from our website: www.waparentslearn.org. 

3. Call toll-free and request a CD-ROM with all four manuals. (For requests of more than three sets of each manual.)   

 

OEO in the News

Watch for OEO ads in major newspapers across the state encouraging families to get involved in their child's education during the months of September and October.  We will also be spreading our message through broadcast and print media.

Attend the "Partnering for Student Success" Conference in Yakima

Learn alongside others working on forming school-family partnerships for student achievement at the "Partnering for Student Success" Conference October 2 - 3 at the Yakima Convention Center. Karen L. Mapp, Harvard professor of education, researcher and national authority on school-family involvement is the featured keynote speaker who will share best practices and successful models. 

In addition to her inspiring messages, local experts from around the state - educators, parents and community members - will share promising results of their partnership work in several workshops.   

For general conference information and registration visit http://www.k12.wa.us/cisl/Partnering_Conference.aspx  or call Alyssa Westall at 360-725-6165.

 

Parents and Family Members can Attend the Conference for Free 

As part of this conference, OEO is offering a three-part series of workshops for parents in both English and Spanish: "Understand and Navigate the Public School System," "Communicating with your Child's School" and "Get Involved in your Child's Education!" (Link to Parent Workshop flier) Please forward the linked flyer to parents you know.

Registration is now open. Please register as soon as possible! OEO is offering 100 parent scholarships to attend the conference and waive registration fees. Registration includes some meals and mileage reimbursement is available. To register and request a scholarship, either (Link to Parent Registration Form) or call us toll-free at 1-866-297-2597 where we have a language line which translates conversations into over 100 languages.   

We hope OEO can support your efforts to build school-family partnerships and improve student academic achievement. Call us, we can help. 

Adie Simmons, Director

Office of the Education Ombudsman - Governor's Office