On Wednesday evening, we celebrated the PIQE graduation ceremony, honoring 19 parents who successfully completed an eight-week course focused on understanding and supporting mental wellness for themselves and their children. Two parents shared reflections about the sense of community they developed with other families and the importance of better understanding their high school-aged students, including being willing to ask the right questions.
Parents also had the opportunity to ask school administrators questions about how to request support for their students and the training staff receive to recognize when a student may be struggling, particularly when those struggles are not demonstrated through outward behaviors. Principal Slayton emphasized the importance of the partnership between families and staff, not only in supporting students academically but also in ensuring they have access to the mental health resources they need and the ability to advocate for themselves when they are struggling.
Thursday evening marked another exciting milestone as Family Center Liaison Amalia Pelayo hosted Liberty's first-ever Family Partnership Night. Families were invited to share what they feel is going well at Liberty, identify areas of concern, and participate in conversations about possible solutions. The goal is to develop a group of family thought partners who can help us recognize opportunities for growth and work collaboratively to make Liberty an even stronger school community.
On Friday morning, the Family Center hosted its second Coffee with the Principal. The room was filled to capacity, prompting Principal Slayton to share that her goal is to eventually outgrow the space and move these gatherings to the library. Parents had the opportunity to submit questions for Principal Slayton to address, while counselors provided valuable information about the differences between A-G college admission requirements and high school graduation requirements.
Each Coffee with the Principal is designed to give families a deeper understanding of an important topic so they can better support their students, make informed decisions, and provide feedback directly to school administration. This month's participants shared some of what they learned:
- Kassie Thompson: "Very informational! Great opportunity to receive feedback and ask questions. I will definitely attend again."
- Ana Banillas: Learned that students have the opportunity to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy and discovered additional resources available to students and parents.
- Angela Blanco: Appreciated learning more about Career Technical Education (CTE) options and gaining a better understanding of the pros and cons of students spending more than half of their school day off campus.
- Holly Bunde: Learned about Kern Learn and the limited availability of AM and PM placements at CTEC and ROC, with each school receiving two spots for each program in each session.
These three opportunities looked different, but they shared the same purpose: building relationships, increasing understanding, and making sure families have a voice in their students' educational experience.
Your Voice Matters: Family Feedback Form
If you have not yet had an opportunity to share your thoughts, we encourage you to complete our Family Feedback Form. Whether you have a student who is thriving, a question you would like answered, or an idea for how we can improve, we want to hear from you. Your feedback helps us recognize what is working, identify areas where we can grow, and make decisions that best support our students and families. Your voice matters, and we hope you will take a few minutes to share it with us!
Save the Date: Family Involvement Day – November 19
We also invite you to join us on Wednesday, November 19, from 8:30–9:30 a.m. as we celebrate Family Involvement Day! Breakfast will be provided, and Principal Slayton will be available to hear your glows and grows about Liberty. We will also welcome members of the district's Facilities Committee, who will be visiting to listen to parent feedback and ideas for facility improvements. This is another opportunity to share your voice, help shape the future of our campus, and celebrate the important role families play in our school community. We hope to see you there!
Thank you to Amalia Pelayo, our counselors, staff, administrators, and, most importantly, the families who take time out of their busy schedules to be part of these conversations. We value your partnership and want you to know that your questions, perspectives, and ideas matter. Together, we are building a stronger Patriot community where every student is supported, encouraged, and given the opportunity to grow.