Cincinnati, Oct 30, 2024 – Hartwell Elementary School celebrated a successful Parents Meeting, an informative session designed to provide parents with the tools they need to help their children succeed academically. This initiative, aimed at fostering educational support within the community, saw enthusiastic participation and engagement.
The initial involvment of LULAC Ohio Educational Foundation (LOEF) in these meetings was to give information about our services. These days, it is supporting the establishment of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at Hartwell and Carthage schools. This collaborative effort involved Leyla Peña, Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) coordinator, and Geoffrey Woolf, Dean of Humanities and Science at Cincinnati State, showcasing a strong partnership dedicated to enhancing educational resources for Latino families.
Also present at the meeting were Victor Casals, CPS family coordinator at Hartwell; Francis Guzman, CPS teacher; and Saida Casals, CPS family coordinator at Rising Stars School in Carthage. Their contributions highlighted the commitment to improving educational outcomes through community involvement.
The meetings, beyond being instructive, served as a platform for building community bonds. Parents shared food, and the school provided beverages and Halloween candy, adding a festive touch to the gathering. Children enjoyed games and were entertained by Mr. Lewis, Hartwell School Director, Laura Moese, LOEF President, and several high school volunteers. The active involvement of parents in supporting extra-curricular activities at the schools was evident.
LOEF’s support of these meetings is crucial in understanding the community’s needs and enhancing the CPS district’s efforts to serve the growing Latino population effectively.