Family & Community Engagement Department

Mission

The primary mission of Family & Community Engagement Department is to improve educational achievement by coordinating district services and collaborating with community agencies to better serve our students who need support services. Requests for support and information can now be directed to this office.

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors

Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona

Sunrise House Family Resource Center Si' alig Ki:

Sunrise HouseThe Sunrise House Family Resource Center provides solutions for many of the challenges students and their families face. We are dedicated to helping families help themselves. The Family Resource Center is committed to increasing parental involvement and community participation in the educational process.

Services Provided:

  • Food Pantry
  • Parenting Education 
  • Information & Referral
  • McKinney-Vento Homeless Support

    McKinney-Vento

    We want you to be aware of your rights as parents under the McKinney-Vento Act. For additional information, please see both the BUSD Arizona Student Residency questionnaire.

    McKinney-Vento Program – Know Your Rights

    If your family is living in a temporary situation due to economic hardship, your child may qualify for support through the McKinney-Vento Act. This law helps ensure educational stability during tough times. You may qualify if you are:

    • Staying with friends or relatives due to housing loss
    • Living in a shelter, motel, car, campground, or a place without water/electricity
    • A youth living without a parent or guardian
    • Your child has the right to:
      • Stay in the same school, even if your housing changes
      • Attend school near your temporary housing
      • Enroll and start school immediately without documents
      • Receive help with transportation
      • Access free meals and Title I services
      • Participate fully in school programs

    For more information or support, contact your school’s parent liaison or call (520) 719-1210.

    Please see the Educational Rights of Homeless Children for more information.

    Children who qualify under McKinney-Vento have a right to:

    • Attend the school they were attending when their family moved to a temporary address because of economic hardship, even if the school is in another school district. The choice must be a reasonable one that is in the best interest of the children involved. Check with the district’s homeless education liaison if you are not sure.
    • Attend the school closest to where they are being sheltered.
    • Stay in this school for the duration of the school year if their family moves to another temporary address because of economic hardship.
    • Receive assistance with transportation to attend school while they living in temporary housing. 
    • Start school immediately while people at school help families obtain school and immunization records or other documents necessary for enrollment.
    • Enroll in school without having a permanent address.
    • Participate in the same programs and services as other students.
    • Receive Title I services, including free breakfast and lunch.

    Foster Care Rights

    Foster Care – Know your Rights

    Students in foster care have the right to immediate enrollment, even without standard documents.

    How to Enroll:

    Enrollment is done online through the BUSD portal. Guardians usually enroll students using a placement form from the child welfare agency. In some cases, the case manager may enroll the student directly. The case manager’s name, phone number, and email must be included in the student’s record. To make the process smooth, provide the following:

    • Placement Form: confirms placement, allows enrollment, and medical services.
    • Arizona Student Residency Questionnaire
    • BUSD Unaccompanied Youth Caregiver Form

    These forms help make sure students receive the support they qualify for under foster care protections. For help or more information, call (520) 719-1210.

    Family & Community Engagement Staff

    Aggie Hart
    Parent Community Involvement and Engagement Director
    Email: ahart@busd40.org
    Department Page

    Geraldine Antone
    Parent Liaison - Primary
    P: (520) 719-1230
    Email: gantone@busd40.org

    Juana Antonio
    Parent Liaison - Secondary
    P: (520) 719-1250
    Email: jantonio@busd40.org

    Lois Lejero
    Parent Liaison - Sunrise House
    P: (520) 719-1210
    Email: llejero@busd40.org

    Crystal Ramon
    Parent Liaison - Intermediate
    P: (520) 719-1240
    Email: cramon@busd40.org

    Vacant
    Part-Time Secretary - Sunrise House