The Every Person Influences Children (EPIC) program recently welcomed Family Support Specialist Danayeli Juarez to the team serving the Monticello Central School District.
Ms. Juarez will work to enhance and expand programming that helps build stronger connections between families and schools, provides support and resources for parents and caregivers, and promotes social-emotional wellness in children through a variety of activities and initiatives.
Before joining the EPIC team at Monticello, Ms. Juarez worked in a family support role with an early childhood intervention program in the Pacific Northwest, where she helped newly arrived families settle into their communities by assisting with essential needs such as obtaining birth certificates and setting up heating and utilities.
This experience helped prepare her for her new role in Monticello, where she will work closely with staff and families to evaluate community needs and implement programming to help bridge gaps. She has already been meeting with building principals to begin planning programs she believes will make a positive difference.
One area where she has identified a clear need for support is student attendance. To address this, she has organized an “Attendance Matters” virtual workshop for Monticello parents and caregivers on Friday, May 1, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Participants will gain practical tips on helping students succeed by building strong attendance habits and will also be entered for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card.
“Attendance has such an impact on the child,” Ms. Juarez said. “School attendance really does matter, and it helps set a foundation for academic success. I invite all Monticello families to join us for this important workshop.”
Families may register for the Attendance Matters workshop by registering online or by contacting Ms. Juarez directly at 845-796-5095, ext. 95305, or djuarez@k12mcsd.net.