Learning is better when we share it.
At Lopez Island Family Resource Center, we believe families are essential partners in a child’s education. That’s why we’re creating more opportunities for children, caregivers, and the broader community to learn together, celebrate milestones, and build relationships that support young people far beyond the classroom.
From Burke Museum visits and clam digs with Kwiaht to family reading evenings, Literacy Game Nights, and author visits, our programs give families opportunities to explore, discover, and have fun together.
Some activities help caregivers better understand the world their children are growing up in, including workshops like Raising Tech-Savvy Kids in a Digital World. Others give families a chance to see what their children are learning and creating, whether they’re performing a play, sharing books and songs at Read-a-Rama, playing soccer, or serving up something delicious from Baking Club.
But these shared experiences create more than good memories. Strong partnerships between after-school programs, youth prevention programs, summer camps, and families cultivate trust that reaches far beyond the classroom.
When children see their caregivers working alongside program staff, they know the adults in their lives are working together to support their growth. That shared investment can strengthen accountability, encourage regular attendance, and create more consistent expectations between home and school. It also helps children feel supported in their learning, building motivation and a more positive attitude toward school.
Parents also become some of the strongest champions for these programs. Their feedback helps staff shape activities around the community’s needs, and their voices help advocate for the local and federal funding that keeps these opportunities available.
Ultimately, family engagement is about more than academic success. It’s about bringing young people, caregivers, and the broader community together to learn from one another, strengthen relationships, and build the skills to navigate life’s challenges.
The benefits extend to the whole family, too. Workshops on literacy and technology give caregivers practical tools they can use at home, while opportunities to learn together help families feel more confident and connected.
A Few Moments Worth Celebrating
Growing a love of reading, one family at a time
Last October, 17 children and their families joined us at the Lopez School Richi Center for a special visit with children’s author Rick Swann, who read his book Our School Garden. The story sparked a lively conversation about what grows in the school garden, how much food the school produces, and what ends up on children’s lunch trays.
After the reading, families created seed mandalas and Victory Garden posters, then headed home with their own copies of the book, signed by the author. It was a wonderful reminder that a good story can spark curiosity, inspire conversation, and open the door to learning that continues long after the last page.
Earlier this year, preschool families gathered for our bilingual Character Connections reading evenings. Through books in English and Spanish centered on social-emotional learning, families explored feelings, relationships, and ways to help children understand themselves and others. Sharing stories gives families a natural way to talk about big feelings and everyday challenges while helping children build the social and emotional skills they need to thrive.
Making Literacy a Family Affair
In March, 15 families joined us at the Lopez Island Library for Family Literacy Game Night. Caregivers discovered ways to support emerging and fluent readers at home while children played games tailored to their reading levels. Everyone shared a family-style dinner, too, making the evening as much about connection as it was about learning.
For our youngest learners, that connection starts early. Every Parent-Tot gathering gives families with children ages 0–5 a place to share the joys and challenges of parenting, learn from one another, and build community. We celebrate the important role caregivers play as their children’s first and most influential teachers.
In March, 15 families joined us at the Lopez Island Library for Family Literacy Game Night. Caregivers discovered ways to support emerging and fluent readers at home while children played games tailored to their reading levels. Everyone shared a family-style dinner, too, making the evening as much about connection as it was about learning.
For our youngest learners, that connection starts early. Every Parent-Tot gathering gives families with children ages 0–5 a place to share the joys and challenges of parenting, learn from one another, and build community. We celebrate the important role caregivers play as their children’s first and most influential teachers.
We also recently hosted our third annual Kindergarten Welcome Picnic, inviting incoming Lobo kindergartners and their families to share a meal at the school playground. These relaxed, positive experiences give children and caregivers a chance to connect with the school community before the first day arrives, helping make that big transition feel a little more familiar.
What Matters to Families, Matters to Us
At a recent family event, we asked parents what topics were on their minds. Their responses included family game nights, bullying prevention, financial literacy, online safety, and mental health education and give us a useful starting point for planning future opportunities. In the coming months, we’ll work with guest experts to bring meaningful learning opportunities and conversations around these topics to Lopez families.
Every time a caregiver cheers from the sidelines, listens to a child share a new discovery, or sits down to learn alongside them, they’re helping build the foundation for a young person’s future.
We’re grateful to the families who participate, share their ideas, ask questions, and help shape what comes next. Your involvement makes our programs stronger and helps us create a community where every child and family has room to learn, grow, and thrive.