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Welcome to Family & Community Engagement

The Family and Community Engagement team, also known as the FACE team, strives to strengthen the relationship between parents, schools, and the District. Representatives called FACE Liaison are assigned to a campus where they work to build community among staff and families. FACE Liaisons facilitates student success by supporting parents and guardians through a variety of parenting, leadership, and family bonding workshops and programs, such as Parent University, Parents As Leaders, Loving Solutions, Parent Project, and Now We’re Cooking. Liaisons also help connect parents with support services and resources needed to resolve family or student health problems or assist in securing basic necessities for families.

community schools

face liaison resources

parent resource centers

district african american parent advisory council

district advisory committee

Parent Education Programs

Loving Solutions

Loving Solutions is a parent-training program designed specifically for parents of children ages 5-10. Using a behavioral model that provides structured cooperative learning strategies, parents are given "Steps of Success" that help to build a solid foundation for making positive changes at home. The 10-week program has been successfully integrated into courses that take place across the district during both day and evening classes. Currently, parent testimonies indicate that the strategies are most helpful in building structures at home to support their children behaviorally, socially, and emotionally.

Click here to review the Loving Solutions flyer for additional information.

Loving Solutions Mini Lessons

Unit 1	Unidad 1
Unit 2	Unidad 2
Unit 3	Unidad 3
Unit 4	Unidad 4
Unit 5	Unidad 5
Unit 6	Unidad 6
Unit 7	Unidad 7
Unit 8	Unidad 8
Unit 9	Unidad 9
Unit 10	Unidad 10

Now We're Cooking

"Cooking is one of the greatest gifts you can give to those you love." - Ina Garten

Now We’re Cooking is an interactive, educational, monthly program developed by the Family and Community Engagement Department and Nutrition Services to educate families, schools and the community on resources to improve awareness of opportunities to choose a healthier lifestyle that is sustainable for a lifetime. Families will learn how to make culturally healthy recipes, use kitchen utensils, prep foods, read instructions, and most importantly - spend time together. We are exposing our families to unique foods they can cook and enjoy eating at home. To join us please reach out to your school’s FACE Liaison or call the FACE Department at 661-631-4763.

Click here to view the Now We're Cooking Flyer for event dates and more information.

Parent University

Parent University is offered on a Saturday once a month throughout the school year and is free to any parent of a BCSD student. Each Parent University session provides parents and families of BCSD students, classes and workshops that add to existing skills and allow opportunities for continued growth and development. More than 2,000 parents have graduated from the program between the 2016-2023 school years.

Click here to view the Parent University flyer for dates and more information.

Become BC Renegade with Parent University!

You can become a Bakersfield College Renegade today!

BCSD and Bakersfield College are working together for a new opportunity and Parent University participants. Beginning in the fall of 2024, parents and guardians who register for Parent University will have the opportunity to earn college certificates at Bakersfield College completely tuition free. Further your education and expand your career opportunities through engaging and comprehensive child development classes. These credit/no credit courses will begin in September and will be in addition to parent university classes each month. Not only will these classes help you grow as a parent, and as a leader in our community, but they will also help prepare you for future career opportunities at BCSD as an Aid, Parent Professional, and more with the completion of your early care in education certificate. If you’d like to get started, summer courses are available to learn basic computer skills, improve English language skills and more. Complete our survey to let us know if you are interested in learning more about this exciting new partnership. We hope you are!

You can reach the link at go.bcsd.com/uub.

ROC/CTEC College & Career Readiness

Parents as Leaders

Parents As Leaders (PALs) is a program developed for all parents, grandparents, and guardians interested in becoming trained in parent leadership. Parent leadership strengthens families and promotes children to be successful on multiple levels. The BCSD PALs program was featured in June 2016 in a Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) Report as a school district demonstrating best practices in family engagement. With the support of FACE Liaisons and the district FACE Department, PALs will be provided tips and skills to support students' academic success. PALs can also serve in a role known as PAL Ambassador and receive additional training to mentor new parents in the area of parent leadership. More than 600 parents have completed the leadership academy over the last four years.

Parent leadership skills and training are offered monthly at the Education Center to promote and encourage collaboration amongst all parents, PALs, FACE Representatives, and FACE Liaisons. Parents and FACE staff (FACE Representatives, FACE Liaisons, and Coordinator) will participate in leadership skills training to include:

Help parents become an effective PAL and increase their confidence to train other parents on the Learning Modules
Expand the capacity of parents by developing adult presentation practice and public speaking opportunities
Develop communities of parents while having all FACE staff supporting one another in skills development and successful family and community engagement
Recognize and present participants with a Certificate of Completion upon successful accomplishment of Learning Modules and leadership development.

Click here to view the Parents as Leaders flyer for dates and more information.

The Parent Project

Parent Project is a 10-12 week program that addresses the most difficult adolescent problems i.e. such as poor school attendance and performance, alcohol and other drug use, family conflict, arguing, and violence. The classes offer straightforward, practical behavioral interventions with step-by-step action plans for parents.

Click here to view the Parents as Leaders flyer for dates and more information.

Contact Information

Dee Dee Harrison
Coordinator
(661) 631-4793
harrisonj@bcsd.com

Paulina Mora Fernandez
FACE Representative
(661) 631-4638
morafernandezp@bcsd.com

Antonia Serrano
FACE Representative
(661) 631-4761
serranoan@bcsd.com

Hugo Heisler
Instructional Specialist
(661) 631-4510
heislerh@bcsd.com

Christine Meza
FACE Representative
(661) 631-4513
mezac@bcsd.com

Tracey Rusch
Administrative Secretary I
(661) 631-4927
ruscht@bcsd.com

Susie Gallardo
FACE Representative
(661) 631-4510
gallardoo@bcsd.com

Patty Silva
FACE Representative
(661) 631-4763
silvap@bcsd.com

Maria Rodriguez
Clerk VIII
(661) 631-4766
morafernandezp@bcsd.com

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In This Section

Department Home

Welcome to Family & Community Engagement

Parent Education Programs

Loving Solutions

Loving Solutions

Loving Solutions Mini Lessons

Now We're Cooking

Now We're Cooking

Parent University

Become BC Renegade with Parent University!

ROC/CTEC College & Career Readiness

Click the links for more information!

Parents as Leaders

The Parent Project

Additional Resources

BCSD Parent Involvement Policies & School-Parent Compact

Parents Guide to Student Success

Glossary of Terms

Contact Information

Links & Resources