Parents Form Advocacy Organization to Make Their Voices Heard

Seeking a stronger voice in their children’s education, parents came together last week to form the San Juan Parents Association. San Juan Parents, as it is being referred to, is a parent-led non-profit organization that brings parents, parent-educators, and parent-allies together to advocate for the success and well-being of children in the San Juan Unified School District.

San Juan Parents has been formed as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization which empowers parents to take action through education, training, civic engagement, and political action.

The creation of San Juan Parents follows a months long battle with the San Juan Unified School District Board of Education to be more inclusive of parents in their conversations and decision making around key issues like pandemic-era education models.

“For months we’ve been told no when we asked the Board of Education to place COVID-19 as a standing item on their agenda so parents know how to engage. We’ve been told no when we’ve asked for special meetings and workshops to discuss our children’s education. We haven’t even seen a parent survey since the Fall,” said San Juan Unified School District parent and San Juan Parents founder Ben Avey. “Nobody has a greater stake in our children’s success than parents and we can no longer afford to be ignored.”

The organizing committee for San Juan Parents circulated a survey in early April seeking input on a return to full-time in-person learning after new safety protocols were announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health. 775 people responded from 12 district zip codes over a 72-hour period – 95 percent supporting an immediate return.

“There is a lot of energy despite an exhausting year juggling work, school, and the activities of life,” said Avey. “We want to be heard.”

Articles of Incorporation for the San Juan Parents Association have been filed with the California Secretary of State and work is progressing on additional submissions required by the California Franchise Tax Board, Internal Revenue Service, and California Fair Political Practices Commission.

Parents, Parent-Educators, and Parent-Allies can sign up to learn more by visiting www.SanJuanParents.org and find us on Facebook Instagram, and Twitter.

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