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Cordova Villa gets creative to boost family involvement
Cordova Villa Elementary used a unique strategy at its recent Back to School Night to make school involvement easier for its families:
By bringing a mobile fingerprinting unit to campus that night, school and District officials hoped to help break down barriers for parent involvement and strengthen bonds with families that support student achievement.
"I want to build a relationship with families," said Jessica Hutchinson, Cordova Villa’s principal.
All adults who want to volunteer in schools throughout the District are required to first submit their fingerprints for a safety clearance. But for families who may have limited transportation and financial resources, that isn’t always an easy task.
Bringing the fingerprinting unit to families on Back to School Night was an effort to make the process easier and recruit more parent volunteers.
Lulu Cruz, an active Cordova Villa parent, said parent involvement is an important factor for helping students succeed. She said that through her involvement at school, she enjoys the opportunities to support students academically and emotionally.
Cordova Villa worked with the District’s office of Family Engagement and Support Services to bring the mobile fingerprinting unit to campus. White Rock Elementary also has used the service.
The mobile fingerprinting units cost the school a travel fee of $25. To be fingerprinted, parents pay $15. Schools seeking more info may contact Family Engagement and Support Services at 635-4301 ext. 141.