The Chula Vista Elementary School District presented a districtwide family engagement plan for 2025–26 that focuses on increasing parent leadership, strengthening two‑way communications and empowering principals to boost school‑level participation.
Director of Communications Giovanna Castro described last year’s efforts—13 district workshops (average attendance 13), a community expo and a Station Experiences parent field trip—and said low turnout among tens of thousands of families showed the need to retool. Castro said the district’s plan for 2025–26 includes: quarterly district workshops (partnering with external providers such as Brain Balance of San Diego), expanded interpretation and translation services, a parent‑ambassador program with one trained ambassador selected at each school, a family engagement resource guide and improved digital communications (new websites and a mobile app).
Parent Ambassador Christina Herrera (Sunnyside Elementary) described her own experience: after attending the parent field trip she created a measurable goal to increase parent attendance at ELAC meetings and is working with her principal to recruit parents. Principal Dr. Canales of Los Altos explained how the parent ambassador returned energized to the school and is working with classroom parents and incentives such as “gold tickets” to boost turnout.
Castro said the district will offer some workshops at no cost and others at a modest cost that school sites may fund from site budgets (similar to other school events); trustees asked for clarity on whether workshops’ costs would come from site budgets or district funds. Trustees praised the plan, asked for attendance data by site (staff committed to provide sign‑in records and a board update), and requested breakdowns of costs and which workshops were free.
Separately, the board recognized Sunnyside Elementary as a 2025 California Distinguished School; Principal Aaron Sevia and staff were invited forward for the recognition.
The district said it will track parent‑ambassador goals and provide quarterly updates to the board on participation and outcomes.