.7 Community and Connection: Reimagining School and District Events Through a Family Engagement Lens
Date: 7/22/2026
Time: 9:45 - 10:55 AM
Room: Grand Ballroom A & B (Floor 1)
Gold Mine Roundtable - A live mini-session on a program/best practice topic, with time for Q&A, presented at a table for 8-10 people during three 20-minute rounds. A one- to two-page tip sheet on the presentation topic is required.
ENGAGEMENT–Internal/external stakeholder engagement
Session Description
School and district events are often designed to share information, yet many families experience barriers that limit their ability to attend or fully participate. This workshop invites school public relations and family engagement professionals to rethink traditional family events through an equity- and relationship-centered lens. Participants will explore how factors such as timing, location, language access, childcare, food, and cultural relevance influence family participation and sense of belonging. Through reflection, discussion, and hands-on redesign activities, attendees will learn how to move beyond attendance-driven planning toward events that foster trust, inclusion, and authentic home–school partnerships.
Presenter(s)
Luis Cruz Solache
Coordinator, Family Engagement
San Juan Unified School District (CA)
In the ten years working in San Juan Unified School District, Luis Cruz Solache has worked in several roles to support families and students. As the current Coordinator of Family Engagement, Luis leads the development of capacity building family education workshops and classes created with the goal of supporting parents and guardians to feel confident and empowered as equal partners in their child’s education. Luis draws inspiration from having the opportunity to work with families that have historically been on the sidelines of education, and is passionate about creating programs, services, and opportunities that reduce barriers and help improve outcomes for all students. As a first-generation college graduate, Luis is a firm believer in the power of equitable education, mentorship, and community driven solutions to address the opportunity gap that affects under-resourced communities. LinkedIn Profile
Amy Rovai Gregory
Director, Family Engagement and Partnership Development
San Juan Unified School District
As an educator in San Juan Unified School District for the past 25 years, Amy Rovai Gregory has worked in a wide-range of roles—from classroom teacher, instructional coach, English Learner specialist, district TOSA for professional learning, vice principal, to principal, and now serves as the director for the district’s family engagement and partnership development team. Amy has a passion for building relationships with students, families, colleagues and community by creating effective and innovative practices around culturally responsive, equity-driven outreach that is centered on ways to help reduce barriers and increase access, opportunities, and outcomes for those whom she serves. Amy has had the honor of being recognized as an Administrator of the Year, ACSA Silver Star, Paul Harris Fellow, and has received recognition for her educational leadership, community service, and family and community engagement initiatives in several publications and conferences. Outside of her work and community service, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband, four children and 3-year-old granddaughter. She lives in northern California and can usually be found cheering her kids on from the sidelines of the soccer fields, relaxing on a beach with a good book, or recharging amidst all the beauty that the northern California outdoors provides. LinkedIn Profile
.7 Community and Connection: Reimagining School and District Events Through a Family Engagement Lens
Category
Gold Mine Roundtable - Mini table session on a program/best practice topic, with time for Q&A. 20 minutes (three rounds).