Edinburg CISD partners with ENCORE on Pre-K Parental Initiative
By: Nadia Tamez-Robledo

EDINBURG - Engaging Communities for College Readiness (ENCORE) and Edinburg Independent School District (ECISD) kicked off for the first time a Pre-K parental involvement initiative Thursday, September 22nd at John F. Kennedy Elementary School. The event was part of a district-wide initiative to equip the parents of over 1,500 Pre-K students with the knowledge and tools they need to help prepare their children for success in secondary school and, ultimately, college or the job market.

"Our overall mission is that we want to graduate every student to be college ready," said ECISD Assistant Superintendent Maria Luisa Guerra. "Also, if they want to go into the workforce, that they have the skills that [are needed] now in the 21st century, whether it be technology, advanced math or good writing skills."

Speakers stressed the importance of two simple but crucial habits families should develop to ensure a lifetime of academic success: attending school every day and reading at home. Presenters also covered college admissions requirements in detail, and Guerra discussed the importance of students' performance on entrance exams like the ACT.

"Parent involvement is crucial," said Principal Rosa Gonzalez. "Reading is the first step. Once [children] learn how to read, they're going to be able to prepare themselves for a better, brighter future."

Attendees were parents of pre-kindergarten students, but presenters stressed that it's never too early to start creating a college-going culture at home.

"This is certainly the year that it's very important," Guerra said. "They're setting the foundation so that their child can be successful, not only to complete high school, but to complete a four-year college degree."

During a study conducted by ENCORE, students identified parental advice as the most important factor in deciding what path to pursue after high school, making parents key figures in increasing college-going rates in the Rio Grande Valley.

Parent Myrna Garza - a mother of students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and second grade - said that attending the event was important for her because it gave her the opportunity to learn what is expected of her child now and in the future.

"Today I learned that there are no excuses, first of all, and that I should set the standards for my child when it comes to an education," she said. "As soon as I get home, I'm going let my child know there's no option. You're going to college, and that's it."

"We are very proud to be partnering with Edinburg CISD in another dynamic parental initiative," said Ernesto Villarreal, ENCORE Program Director. "Parents need to realize that reading is the first step towards college readiness and perfect attendance leads to college success"

Edinburg CISD has a wide variety of college and career readiness initiatives for students, teachers and parents. This fall, ENCORE will be implementing the Career Awareness and Mentorship Program (CAMP) and College Readiness Family Sessions in all the ECISD Middle Schools for the third consecutive year. The ENCORE CAMP has been designed for students and their parents to understand the importance and benefits of a college education by exploring different careers paths in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math and business during non-school hours.

For more information about this event, please contact Ernesto Villarreal at 956-903-4231.