YAKIMA -- In an effort to give parents a better understanding of the education system and provide ways they can best help their children succeed, the Office of the Education Ombudsman is presenting a parent leadership institute in Sunnyside on Saturday.
The day-long session is free and open to parents throughout the Yakima Valley and will address six main topics about elementary and secondary public education in both English and Spanish.
Those topics will be:
* Understanding the education system in the state of Washington.
* How do school districts work?
* Get involved in you children's education.
* Parents and students rights in education.
* Resolving conflict with schools.
* Becoming an advocate for children, next steps.
"We as parents need to be more prepared and understanding of the educational system," said Luz Balderas, a parent from the Sunnyside school district who helped bring the leadership institute to the area.
"That's why the governor's office is offering this training and we are trying to take advantage of it."
Two years ago, the Office of the Education Ombudsman was established within the governor's office as a statewide resource for parents, schools and students. The office tries to bring families and schools together to improve student achievement.
In recent months, the office began offering informal, one-on-one consultation to resolve family conflicts with schools. The office has four ombudsmen. Two provide consulting services, while the other two intervene in formal complaints.
Balderas said she first learned of the office shortly after it opened while visiting Olympia. She initiated an effort to get an ombudsmen presentation in the Yakima Valley.
"We want to join hands and be able to impact our kids and learn about the education and how we can help our kids," Balderas said. "Knowledge is power and there is power in numbers as well."
Parents from Sunnyside, Yakima, Mabton, Toppenish, Granger and Prosser are expected to attend the leadership institute, which will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday at the St. Joseph School, 1007 Sixth Ave., Room 20.
For more information or to contact the Office of the Education Ombudsman, visit www.waparentslearn.org, or call 1-866-297-2597. Calls are received from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
* James Joyce III can be reached at 577-7675 or jjoyce@yakimaherald.com.
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