Federal Way
Public Schools
Family Academy
FAMILY ACADEMY
Together, we can accomplish anything.
We know that schools can't do it alone. Partnership with families is an essential and valuable asset that can greatly impact scholar success.
Federal Way Public Schools is proud to launch the new Family Academy, a series of individual sessions for PK-12 families to connect with other parents, school staff, and community organizations around important topics linked to scholar success.
There will be a total of four sessions to engage in meaningful conversations. Please plan to attend any or all of them in person or virtually via Zoom. At each session, you'll be able to select theme-centered micro-workshops aligned to your needs and interests. Through authentic discussion and partnership, we hope to strengthen connections between our schools and communities, thus improving outcomes for all students. Family Academy provides the time and space for families to learn, share their perspectives, and help shape the future of education for scholars in Federal Way Public Schools!
Registration is required for each session.
Download the Family Academy Overview (PDF):
Upcoming Family Academy Events
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Past Events and Resources
- Health and Wellness
- Family Empowerment for 21st-Century Learners: March 2, 2023
- Summer Connections: April 27, 2023
- Supporting Successful Transitions: May 25, 2023
Health and Wellness
Are you curious about ways to support your child beyond academics? In Family Academy: Health and Wellness, dive into the importance of health and wellness by discussing topics related to the mental, physical, digital, social, and emotional well-being of scholars.
Workshops
Emotional Fitness
Presenter: Winston Bell, Parent, Mental Health Professional, and Community Leader
The pandemic has caused a tremendous amount of social anxiety and emotional stress. This has left many individuals in a state in which they are not equipped with the tools and resources to process their emotions effectively. Consequently, this has profoundly affected the scholar’s ability to effectively carry out routine daily tasks in school, such as being attentive, communicating appropriately in social settings, following simple instructions from teachers, etc. This session will give parents basic tools to help in supporting their scholar’s emotional fitness.
Elementary Digital Citizenship: Finding Balance with Media and Tech Use at Home
Presenter: Dennis Purcell, FWPS Director of Blended and Remote Learning
Explore how to establish a healthy balance of activities for our children, with and without the media and technology.
Managing Stress with Mindfulness
Presenter: Nia Edwards, FWPS Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Facilitator
Do you know how to support your child in dealing with stress or challenging situations? This session will assist you in learning more about how to better deal with stress through the art of mindfulness.
Supporting Your Scholar's Mental Health
Presenter: Shea Smiley, YMCA Social Impact Center
Since the beginning of the pandemic, our communities’ need for mental health support and substance use services has skyrocketed. To support this need, the YMCA Social Impact Center offers strength-based, trauma-informed approaches to help you understand yourself and gain skills to manage life’s challenges. This session will give parents basic tools to help in supporting their scholar with those needs.
Bullying - What Parents Can Do If...
Presenter: Steven Hall, FWPS Threat Assessment and Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Coordinator
Walk away from the session empowered with tools to guide scholars if they witness bullying, experience bullying, or are bullying others.
Secondary Digital Citizenship: Friendships and Boundaries
Presenter: Dennis Purcell, FWPS Director of Blended and Remote Learning
Communication is key. Reflect on text messaging, and learn new ways to help older kids and teens set boundaries.
Family Empowerment for 21st-Century Learners: March 2, 2023
Foster an in-depth understanding of grade-level curriculum, assessments, and district resources to support academic success.
Workshops
Excused Absences Are No Excuse to Fall Behind
Presenter: Kamilah Keyes-Brown, Family Liaison
Acknowledging excused absences with a centering of accountability on self-care and self-reflection.
Preparing Scholars for State Testing (SBA Resources)
Presenter: Erika Rudnicki, Interim Executive Director of Scholar Learning, Academic Programs, and Staff Development
In this micro workshop, we will share resources to help families and scholars feel prepared and ready to take on the annual ELA and Math tests known as the SBA (Smarter Balanced Assessments). Participants will be able to explore resources, ask questions, and gain insight into what kids experience when they take these assessments.
College and Career Readiness in the 21st-Century
Presenter: Nicole Collopy, College and Career Readiness Facilitator
This micro-workshop will go over the 21st-century skills that are embedded throughout our curriculum and how our schools are preparing your scholars to graduate college and career ready.
Social Media Support for Elementary: Raising Healthy Kids in a Digital World
Presenters: Dennis Purcell, Director of Blended and Remote Learning & Amanda Miller, FWPS Parent
Think about how technology has changed in our lifetimes. We will discuss the benefits and challenges of raising kids in today's online world.
Making the Most of SLCs
Presenter: Shea Eakes, Director of Instructional Technology and Innovation
Do you feel as though Student-Led Conferences are intimidating? Join us for a guide on how to make your scholars SLC more practical.
Ready, Set, Kindergarten!
Presenters: Kim Erickson, Director of Early Learning & McKenna Nicholson, Manager of ECEAP and Headstart
Come learn about kindergarten in FWPS and skills that families can work on at home to assist with a successful transition to kindergarten. There will be early learning activities and fun resources shared that you could utilize at home with your 3- and 4-year-olds.
Straight A Scholar or Not, Why Your Child Can Benefit from Additional Academic Supports
Presenter: Jonathan Houston, Facilitator of Equity, McKinney Vento, and Foster Care
Research has shown that scholars at all grade levels can use an advocate or a tutor to help them navigate the school year ahead. Regardless of what grade they earn in their classes, whether they are successful or not, as a parent you want to make sure you are taking advantage of all the programs and supports that our district has to offer. Learn what, when, and how by attending this Family Academy micro-workshop.
Social Media Support for Secondary: Who Are You on Social Media?
Presenters: Dennis Purcell, Director of Blended and Remote Learning & Amanda Miller, FWPS Parent
Social media can be complicated for all of us. Reflect on social media use, share experiences, and learn new ways to talk to older kids and teens about their online lives.
In this workshop, parents and caregivers will learn to:
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Approach their older kids and teens with empathy when talking about social media.
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Encourage kids to avoid comparing themselves to others through social media posts.
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Discuss how much effort perfect posting takes—and how it doesn't reflect real life.
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Remind kids to keep the focus of social media on fun with friends instead of likes and follows.
Summer Connections: April 27, 2023
Learn about community-based and school-based summer resources and programming.
Summer Strategies for Bullying Prevention
Presenter: Steven Hall, FWPS Threat Assessment and Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Coordinator
Gain resources around bullying and tips to support your children with positive experiences, friendships, and successful transitions to the new school year.
Social Media Support for Elementary: Introducing Online Safety to Your Kids
Presenter: Dennis Purcell, Director of Blended and Remote Learning
Learn how to introduce digital citizenship to young children, and how to find teachable moments to draw connections to real-life experiences.
Getting in Touch with Nature: Using Nature to Support SEL and Mindfulness
Presenter: Danielle Harrington, School Garden Specialist
Explore the ways you can use resources from your community/yard to have fun and engage your scholar in learning.
Social Media Support for Secondary: Dealing with Digital Drama
Presenter: Dennis Purcell, Director of Blended and Remote Learning
Get tips to share with your child on how to respond to online confrontations and drama, including a plan of action and practicing real conversations.
Having Fun with Summer Learning
Presenter: Anali Weatherhead, Executive Director of Recovery, Innovation, and Scholar Success
Accelerate your scholar's learning while having them engage in fun electives such as gardening, pottery, Sphero, coding, athletics, band & more through our FWPS summer programming.
Resource Fair Organizations
Learn from participating organizations about summer resources, childcare, and more:
- African Community Housing & Development
- Website: http://www.achdo.org/
- Featured Resource: Curiosity Lab Summer Camp for Grades 9-2
- Featured Resource: Outdoor Explorers Summer Camp for Grades 3-5
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Federal Way
- Catholic Community Services
- El Centro de la Raza
- Website: https://www.elcentrodelaraza.org/
- Website: https://www.elcentrodelaraza.org/
- Federal Way Community Center
- Website: https://itallhappenshere.org/
- Featured Resource: May 2023 Job Fair Flyer
- FRED Bus
- Green River & Highline Colleges Discovery Academy
- Website: https://www.discoveryacademypnw.org/
- Website: https://www.discoveryacademypnw.org/
- King County Reconnect to Opportunity
- Latino Civic Alliance
- Website: https://latinocivicalliance.org/
- Website: https://latinocivicalliance.org/
- Right At School
- Website: https://www.rightatschool.com/
- Website: https://www.rightatschool.com/
- Youth Leadership, Intervention & Change (LINC) - Center for Children and Youth Justice
Supporting Successful Transitions: May 25, 2023
Get empowered with resources to support your child through various milestone school transitions.
Transitioning to a new grade level can be a big deal for students and families alike. Sometimes, transitions can bring about mixed feelings of both excitement and anxiousness around what comes next. At Family Academy, Supporting Successful Transitions, students and families can learn more about how to confidently support smooth school year transitions. You'll be able to attend up to two micro workshops to gain resources and information that will help your family prepare for the school year ahead, plus receive a special gift for participating in Family Academy events in its inaugural year - our thanks to you!
Workshops
Preparing for Life After High School
Presenter: Nicole Collopy, College and Career Facilitator
Discover ways to assist your scholar in transitioning smoothly from high school to their desired college, university, program, or career. This includes guidance on actions to take during their senior year and optimizing their High School and Beyond Plan.
The Three C's for Successful Transitions: Helping Your Child Manage Change
Presenter: Anali Weatherhead, Executive Director of Recovery, Innovation, and Scholar Success
Discover effective strategies to assist your child's transition to the next grade level and aid them in coping with change as they gear up for the upcoming academic year by using the three Cs - Connection, Communication, and Celebration.
Transitioning to Kindergarten: Ways to Support This Summer!
Presenter: McKenna Nicolson, Manager of ECEAP and Headstart
Looking for ways to support your little one's education this summer? There are plenty of fun and practical activities you can do at home to build their skills and prepare them for kindergarten! During this workshop, learn how to support your kindergarten-bound scholar this summer at home. With a bit of effort and a lot of fun, you can help your scholar start kindergarten with confidence!
IEPs: Parents and Schools as Partners
Presenter: Jane Al-Tamimi, Assistant Director of Student Support Services
Learn key ways to partner with our school teams to develop a successful Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for your scholar. Speak with professionals and receive basic info about IEPs including problem-solving, collaboration, and addressing concerns.
What I Wish I Had Known: Transitioning to High School
Presenters: David Stone, Director of College and Career Readiness and Career & Technical Education (CTE), and GEAR UP
Hear about what people wish they had known about entering high school and get advice for current 8th graders and their families for successful transitions.
Digital Citizenship - Secondary: "Who You're Talking to Online"
Presenter: Dennis Purcell, Director of Remote and Blended Learning
Make safety a priority. Learn to better understand older kids' and teens' online lives, and give them new strategies for supporting healthy online relationships.
FRED Bus and Summer Fun!
Presenter: Kim Erickson, Director of Early Learning
Learn about the free FRED (Fun-Read-Eat-Dream) Bus and where to find it this summer, along with exciting summer fun activities for kids.