Latino Night School
at Thomas Jefferson High School

Parents and Schools: Partners in Learning

For young people today, now more than ever, a good education is key to getting better jobs, earning more money, and improving the standard of living for themselves and their families . Statistics indicate that Latino students often face significant barriers to educational opportunities. As they guide their children in successfully completing school, many parents would themselves like guidance and support.

Latino Night School was created to support Federal Way ’s Latino students and parents. Federal Way Public Schools , Highline Community College and the Multi Service Center have teamed up to provide a convenient way for Latino students and their families to connect with school and community resources.

The goal of Latino Night School is to provide our Latino students the opportunity and resources to achieve a higher level of education, such as a high school diploma, or a General Education Diploma (GED) from the state. The program also facilitates enrollment in a post-secondary education program such as college or trade school.

What Can I Learn at Latino Night School?

Latino students in Federal Way Public Schools are given the opportunity to sign up for evening classes that run throughout the school year.

Family members of our students are also encouraged to attend Latino Night School to gain valuable information about our schools and community, and to learn skills they can use to guide their children.

Classes available at Latino Night School include:

• “Credit Retrieval” classes. These allow students to earn credit they need to earn a high school diploma. This program is supported by funding from the State’s Office of Secondary Education for Migrant Youth.
• GED classes. These prepare students and adults who have students in our district to pass the State’s GED test, which has benefits similar to a high school diploma.
• ESL English classes. These allow students to improve their English skills and become more comfortable communicating at school and in the community. It also gives students one credit per semester, which will count toward their graduation requirements.
• Adult conversation classes. These assist Latino parents of our students to improve English skills, especially those that will help them understand and communicate with teachers and other school personnel. The Multi-Service Center Literacy Department will provide these classes at our site.
• Understanding School Policy. This class will be designed to cover the sections of the Rights and Responsibilities handbook that are of most interest to the parents attending the class.
• Other workshops on topics of interest to parents.

When and where is the program offered?

Latino Night School will be held throughout the school year at Thomas Jefferson High School , 4248 South 288th Street , Auburn , Washington 98001, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 7-9 p.m. Thomas Jefferson is a convenient, familiar location for many of our Latino families.

What does Latino Night School cost?

There is no charge for classes. Child care and tutoring are also free.

How do I register?

To participate, call the Spanish Voice Mail line at 253-945-2473. Please leave a message saying that you are calling about Latino Night School. To participate, you need to be a student in Federal Way Public Schools, or be a parent of a student in our school district.

Surveys will be distributed on a regular basis to give Latino parents the opportunity to tell us what they need and want to know about our schools and community.

Who can I talk to about the program?

If you have questions, please call the district’s Spanish Voice Mail line at 253-945-2473. This line is checked several times a day for messages; we will do our best to call you back the same day.

Program Coordinators:

Judy Lemmel, K-12 Director Teaching For Learning
Federal Way Public Schools
31405 18 th Ave. SW
Federal Way, WA 98003
253-945-2002
http://www.fwps.org/dept/ell/

Trise Moore, Family Partnership Advocacy Office
Federal Way Public Schools
1813 South Commons
Federal Way, WA 98003
253-945-2273
http://www.fwps.org/info/family/