We wanted to give a big thank you to Robyn Chaney, Federal Programs Coordinator, and Evelyn Larson, Advisory Committee Member, who shared about their experiences with the Dillingham Parent Advisory Committee (DPAC).
The DPAC has been meeting for over 40 years. During their quarterly meetings, they fulfill the oversight requirements for four federal programs: Title I, Migrant Ed, Indian Ed, and Johnson O’Malley. Family members enjoy being part of the committee so much so that they have graduation celebrations for members when their last child finishes high school!
Here are some tips they shared:
- Invest in your people – The district staff connects parent participants with the training they might need to participate, whether it’s taking effective minutes or understanding their roles & responsibilities. The longevity of the committee has also led to natural mentorship, with long-serving members actively coaching newer members.
- Make it meaningful… and fun – The committee determines how funding associated with the federal programs is spent. Members see the impact of their work. But it’s not all business – meetings always have food, laughter, and often have children weaving in and out.
- Coach administrators on how to get the most out of your Parent Advisory Committee – Savey school administrators know that getting feedback from the PAC can help them refine strategies that will really work.
Check out the:
– Recording, Passcode: uSr=m.k0