GGUSD Receives Top Recognition for Successful Parent Engagement Program

Thursday, May 9, 2019

At its seventh annual Language Leaner Celebration, the Orange County Department of Education awarded Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) the 2019 Advocacy Leadership award for the district’s successful parent and civic engagement program.

The award was presented to Board of Education Vice President Teri Rocco; Superintendent Gabriela Mafi; Executive Director of K-12 Educational Services Lorena Sanchez; Director of Parent and Community Outreach Teresa Jackson; and the district’s Parent and Community Outreach Department team members on May 2 at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Irvine.

The special event also honored dozens of outstanding educators across Orange County, including Eisenhower Elementary Teacher Brandy Peters and Bolsa Grande High School Teacher Erich Phinizy for the outstanding educational experience they provide for English learners and emerging bilingual students.

“We are proud that GGUSD is a district that is deeply committed to serving the needs of students and families of all cultural backgrounds,” said Teri Rocco, Board of Education vice president. “Our Parent and Community Outreach team does a fantastic job offering districtwide events and important parent trainings at all of the district’s 67 schools, equipping thousands of families each year with the tools to help their children succeed.”

Last year, GGUSD received the 2018 Advocacy Leadership award for the district’s outstanding cultural and linguistic responsiveness to English learners and emerging bilingual students. GGUSD is a proven leader in language development, having successfully launched two Spanish dual language immersion academies and one Vietnamese dual language program, only the fourth of its kind nationwide. In addition to the three dual language programs, GGUSD also offers Heritage Language Programs at all secondary schools.