Increasing family and community involvement is an Aurora Achievement Initiative priority. The diversity office is addressing the diverse needs of students and families with strategies for building cultures within our school communities.

The 17 family liaisons at 21 APS schools are critical to the success of this plan. “Family liaisons provide leadership to reach out to our families and community groups and engage them in the success of our students,” said Jesús Escárcega, the APS coordinator of diversity education.

Parents are included in decisions and empowered to manage projects. “We want parents to get involved early in elementary school but we also need them to support education through middle and high school years,” said Myra Paredes, family liaison for North and South middle schools and Aurora Central High School.

Family liaisons also provide information about resources and social programs available to our families. They encourage parents to serve on school and district committees. “Aurora is a rapidly changing community. We are adapting our family and community outreach programs to meet a wide range of needs. We look to the community for help in providing services for families. This cooperation makes the school a better place to learn,” said Roy Smith, family liaison at Wheeling Elementary and Aurora Hills Middle School.