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Parents praise Pacific Grove Adult School’s 'Family Meals Challenge' at board meeting
Summary
At the Feb. 26 board meeting parents and program facilitators described the Family Leadership Series and Family Meals Challenge, praising practical tools (a 'dinner spinner,' conversation cards, placemats) and the district’s efforts to remove barriers to participation.
At the Feb. 26 meeting the Pacific Grove Unified School District spotlighted a presentation from Pacific Grove Adult School and parent champions who completed the Family Leadership Series.
Principal Barbara Martinez introduced the program and its three strands — Family Meals Challenge, Parenting Partners and Calm and Kinders — noting the district’s award last year and that family engagement is a strong predictor of student success. “We know that family engagement is one of the strongest predictors of student achievement,” Martinez said.
Parents, facilitators and an invited teacher described the program’s practical tools and immediate results. One parent held up a tool used at home: “My son named this the dinner spinner,” she said, explaining the spinner prompts conversation topics and has helped her family prioritize mealtime conversation. Another participant, Bo Buller, called the program “affirming and impactful,” saying it reinforced the importance of family meals and helped participants practice deep listening.
Staff emphasized the program’s accessibility: classes offered childcare, dinner and pick‑up for families who could not otherwise attend. The board presented certificates to parent champions and expressed interest in expanding the workshops to younger grades.
The district asked anyone interested to contact the adult school to be placed on an interest list for future cohorts.
