Bernalillo Public Schools has spent recent weeks holding evening family engagement sessions focused on early literacy, a key developmental stage for young learners. Organizers say the series offers caregivers research-based strategies they can use at home with kindergarten through third-grade students. The final in-person workshops will be held at Algodones Elementary on Nov. 5 and W.D. Carroll Elementary on Nov. 6, with a district-wide virtual webinar planned for Nov. 12; all sessions run from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The sessions are intended to reach caregivers who play a pivotal role in children's literacy development. By scheduling events in the evenings and offering a virtual option, BPS is attempting to lower barriers for working families and those with transportation challenges. The focus on K–3 reflects a recognition that early reading skills form the foundation for later academic success and influence broader life outcomes.

For Sandoval County, the workshops carry implications beyond the classroom. Early literacy is linked to educational attainment, which in turn affects long-term health, employment prospects, and civic participation. Community-wide improvements in reading proficiency can help reduce disparities that often mirror income and geographic divides. Local schools and public health advocates frequently emphasize that supporting caregivers with concrete, evidence-based techniques is one of the most equitable interventions districts can offer.

The district’s approach combines in-person interaction with a virtual webinar to broaden reach. The in-person events at neighborhood schools create opportunities for relationship-building between families and educators, and allow staff to model activities and distribute materials directly. The Nov. 12 virtual session is intended to serve families who cannot attend in person, though access may still be uneven for residents who lack reliable internet connectivity or devices. Organizers acknowledge these persistent barriers and have framed the series as part of a larger effort to make literacy resources accessible.

Beyond immediate classroom benefits, the workshops align with broader policy conversations around family engagement and early childhood supports. Local advocates argue that sustained investment in caregiver education, classroom resources, and community literacy programs is necessary to close achievement gaps. Evening workshops like these can serve as a low-cost, high-impact component of that strategy when paired with follow-up supports such as take-home materials, library partnerships, and translation services for non-English-speaking families.

As the series concludes, district staff hope caregivers leave with practical techniques to practice reading at home and a clearer sense of how to support young learners. For many families in Sandoval County, this kind of support can make the difference in turning early promise into lasting academic and health benefits.