In July, families from the School District of Lancaster’s District Parent Advisory Council (PAC) attended the annual Title I State Parent Advisory Council (SPAC) Conference, hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education at Seven Springs, PA. This statewide event brings together families from across Pennsylvania who are committed to strengthening home-school partnerships, learning new tools to support student success, and becoming stronger advocates for their children.
This year’s theme, “Rising Together: Strengthening Ourselves to Empower Our Children,” centered on building the skills, confidence, and community that families need to support learning and growth. The conference provided attendees with a full schedule of learning sessions, keynote speakers, and networking opportunities designed to foster knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
SDoL was proud to be one of the largest delegations in attendance, with parents, children, Manager of Community and Family Engagement Lindsay Gregg, and SDoL staff coming together to represent our district. For many of our families, this was a first-time experience at a statewide education event. Over the course of the conference, they explored sessions on topics such as supporting literacy at home, understanding student data, navigating the special education system, and creating inclusive school environments where every family feels seen and valued.
The SPAC Conference is a cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s strategy to strengthen family engagement in Title I schools. Since 1990, SPAC has worked to amplify the voices of families by sharing ideas directly with the Division of Federal Programs. Through the annual conference, a statewide resource center, and school-based support, SPAC aims to:
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Equip parents with tools and knowledge to be effective advocates for their children;
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Share strategies that increase family participation in Title I programs;
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Spotlight successful parent engagement models that can be replicated across the state.
Beyond the learning sessions, the conference gave SDoL families the chance to connect with others from urban, rural, and suburban communities finding common ground in their hopes and challenges. Many attendees shared how energizing it was to learn from one another, ask questions, and return home with ideas they could apply in real time.
“Attending the SPAC Conference was inspiring. I didn’t realize how much support is out there for families like mine,” one parent shared. “Now I feel more prepared to help my child succeed, and I’m excited to be more involved at school.”
At SDoL, we know that family engagement is critical to student achievement. When families are included as equal partners in education, schools become stronger, communication improves, and students benefit. That’s why we’re so proud of our District PAC and grateful to the families who took time out of their summer to be part of this opportunity. This year’s conference reminded us that when we rise together, we create schools where every child can thrive.
If you’re curious about how to get involved in District PAC or future family engagement opportunities, we invite you to reach out. Whether you want to learn how to better support your child at home or join a community of families helping shape district decisions, there’s a place for you.
To learn more, contact Lindsay Gregg at lrgregg@sdlancaster.org.