💙 Building Bridges, Supporting Families: The Power of Fairfax High School's Family Engagement Center

Every Wednesday after school, a special English class takes place at Fairfax High School. But this isn’t your typical classroom filled with teenagers. Here, the students are parents who are eager to learn a new language and skills to better support their children’s education. This is the heart of Fairfax High School’s Family Engagement Center, a vibrant space that empowers families and fosters a strong sense of community.

The Family Engagement Center’s story starts with the unwavering dedication of Family Liaisons Ana Bauserman and Hala Shafik, and Principal Georgina Aye's commitment to empowering her staff to excel in their roles. When Aye started as principal of Fairfax in 2022, Bauserman and Shafik had a “tiny office,” said Shafik. “She let us move into a larger welcoming space near the front entrance where we can better support our families and students.”

“We couldn’t have a better principal,” beams Bauserman. “She’s incredibly supportive and open to our suggestions.” This open communication is key to the center's success. It's a place where challenges are acknowledged, not ignored. 

“We understand that many families face hardships,” said Director of Student Services Ashley Anderson. “We respect them and honor them. We offer a Friday market with fresh food donations and a food pantry stocked through community support and a Food For Neighbors partnership.” It's about building trust and respect, creating a space where families feel seen and valued.

But the Center’s impact goes far beyond basic needs. After receiving feedback from multilingual parents, Principal Aye and Bauserman identified a clear need and ask — English language classes so that parents and caregivers can become more active participants in their children’s education. 

Maria Faz, inclusion and intervention specialist explained, “We are empowering parents through being learners themselves. We engage parents and equip them with tools to navigate the school system. We even have students volunteer, fostering a true community feel. We want them to feel like confident members of the community and in their children’s academics.”

The English classes, led by Aye, are just one example of this empowerment. "In class, we do Socratic seminars, practice interviews, and even phone calls to teachers," says Bauserman. "These are life skills that benefit the whole family."

“Working with Dr. Aye and [Bauserman] has been something very beautiful,” said one of the class participants. “They are people who express their kindness for the parents of Fairfax High School. They have enabled us to learn more about the language and other very important aspects of the school.”

Another program, HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), teaches parents how to become their child’s first teacher. “Parents can learn and enjoy the schooling with their kids,” says Carmen Medrano of the HIPPY program. “[Parents] learn how to teach at home, which is the baseline for the child’s success.”

Joceline Briceño, who works for one of the Center’s partners in workforce development, EdFuturo, experiences the impact firsthand. “We teach them computer literacy, everything from basic skills like opening programs to building resumes. It empowers them to get better jobs, instead of working multiple, to support their families. There’s no better feeling than when one of my students calls me to tell me they got the job!”

Fairfax’s Family Engagement Center isn’t just about classes and resources. It’s about building a bridge between families and the school, creating a space of shared learning, support, and community. It’s a place where everyone, from students and their families to staff, and community members feels welcomed and affirmed. As Aye says, “By helping the parents, we help the children and the family as a whole.”

Learn more about resources for families through the FCPS Family Academy.