Episode Summary:

In this eye-opening conversation, we engage and learn from a parent who has put 4 of her children through the Uniondale school system; all success stories who have graduated. Adelina Blanco-Harvey herself is an ELL, and in her role as a board trustee, she has a hand in creating policies that truly serve her community of students. As a parental resource, she ensures that parents understand how they can best support their children within the school system, from advice on proper testing to other services pertinent to their success as students. As an advocate for all students, she advises highlighting your children’s multilingualism as a strength, and stresses the importance of presence as a parent of ELLs, regardless of potential language barriers. Finally, she emphasizes the ways that communication can serve as a key component to maintaining relationships between parents and school administrations. 

RBERNing Questions for this Episode:

1- What is the best way a school can keep parents engaged in their children's education?

2- You have 4 children who have gone through the Uniondale school system & graduated…What do you think is the role of the parents in supporting their ELLs?

3- What advice do you have for teachers who want to strengthen the ties with parents in the community?

Bio:

Ms. Adelina Blanco-Harvey, Trustee, affectionately known as Addie, is a Board of Education Trustee for the Uniondale Union Free School District. She began her tenure on the board in July 2019. She is a product of the Uniondale school system, having lived in the district for over 40 years. Four of her and her husband’s children are proud graduates of Uniondale High School. She believes that a well-rounded education incorporates developing academic skills along with nurturing aptitude in critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, and other enrichments within the curriculum. She was elected Board President by the board during the 2021-2022 academic year, making her the first Latina to be elected as President of the board in the Uniondale School District. She was re-elected as board trustee for a second term in May 2022.

Accomplishments:
· Serves and advocates for the educational needs of children for over 3 decades
· Served on PTA, PTSA, and PTA Council for over 2 decades
· Career mentor for students of Uniondale for over 15 years
· Resource for parents
· Community advocate
· Served as member of Comité Civico Salvadoreño for over a decade serving the Salvadoran community of Long Island
·NYSMP (New York State Mentoring Program) Latina Mentoring Program 2022

Mrs. Blanco-Harvey is the Regional Manager at Premier Endodontics of Long Island with oversight of five offices. She started her career with Premier Endodontics of Long Island 19 years ago as a dental assistant. She worked her way up through the ranks ascending to numerous roles first as Public Relations Coordinator, then being promoted to Manager subsequently Regional Manager.  She is a graduate of Nassau Community College and received her Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Elementary Education with Bilingual and Special Education Extension from SUNY Old Westbury. She is passionate in her belief that a school board must be responsive, representative and receptive to parents, staff, and stakeholders of the community they serve. 

Resources:

Websites:

Uniondale Union Free School District

To find out more about Mid-State RBERN at OCM BOCES' services, listen to season 1 of the show with host Collette Farone-Goodwin, or to receive CTLE credit for listening to episodes, click here: https://midstaterbern.org/