Mission & Vision

Mission: Our mission is to foster collaborative partnerships between SPS families and schools by enhancing staff capabilities and implementing best practices in family engagement, ensuring every student receives the support needed to excel academically and personally.

Vision: We envision a dynamic educational community where families and schools work together with intentionality and mutual respect, creating an inclusive environment that empowers every student to achieve their fullest potential and thrive throughout their educational journey.

What We Do

Our teams support families, district, and school staff in a variety of ways in our efforts to further the Family Engagement and Partnerships mission and vision for better outcomes for students, including but not limited to:

• For Families, Schools & Staff:
  • Customer Services – Creating access to information and support navigating the large SPS System.
  • Ombuds Services – Support navigating issues and concerns that impact engagement and partnership and have been challenging to resolve at the lowest level.
• For Families:
  • Family Literacy Connector Program – This program supports schools and families in building and sustaining strong engagement and partnerships related to students’ literacy goals and outcomes.
  • Family Connectors University – Quarterly classes for families of SPS students to learn about various SPS systems and departments, strategies for supporting their students at school and home, and ways to get involved. This class provides college credit.
• For Schools:
  • Consulting, Training, and Tool Kits – to assist schools in their intentional efforts to increase their authentic engagement and partnerships with families or maintain as a Four-Pillar Family Engagement School.
  • Micro Funding Program – funding opportunities for SPS schools and departments to receive additional funding for projects that further the Family Engagement & Partnership Mission and Vision at their school or in their Dept.

Team Members:

Adrian Ryan | Customer Service Specialist

Asosa Sailiai | Family Partnership and Family Connector University Coordinator

Charlena | Family Partnership Coordinator

Naomi Rezene | Information & Referral Coordinator

Heidi Henderson-Lewis | Manager, Customer Service, Family Engagement & Partnership, Ombuds Services | District Ombudsperson | SPS Let’s Talk Administrator