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Student Support & Family Engagement
Phone: 206-631-3003
The Student Support & Family Engagement Department eliminates barriers and connects students and families to resources available both in and out of our school system.
Team Members
Kisa Hendrickson, Chief Engagement and Partnership Officer
Kisa ensures students are connected to resources available both in and out of our school system. She oversees health and wellness, truancy, student placement, translations and interpretation, community partnerships, family center, and the Native education program.
Ronae provides administrative support to the Chief Engagement & Partnership Officer and the Chief Policy & Strategy Officer. This includes confidential correspondence, payroll, contracts, website, schedule meetings, coordinate events, etc.
Lita O'Donnell, Director of Family & Community Partnerships
Lita develops, plans, leads and directs district-level strategies and staff in the areas of family engagement and community partnerships. She oversees translations and interpretations, truancy and the Family Center.
Micaela processes transfer requests (both in and out of district) and balancing for the district. Micaela provides enrollment guidance to both schools and families. She also receives appeals to discipline, which includes long-term suspensions and expulsions. Micaela can answer questions regarding transfers, balancing and enrollment.
Sara Marie Ortiz, Native Education Program Manager
Sara Marie leads the overall administration of the Highline Native Education Program which provides support in qualifying for specialized academic services, access to various district/program engagement opportunities, supports the work of the Native Family Advisory Council, professional development for Highline staff, advisement to school-based Native Student Alliances and Native student leadership initiatives in Highline, supports the Native Student Literacy Success Summer Academy, and provides post-secondary + career guidance to American Indian and Alaska Native students in Highline. The program supports the implementation of the Washington State Since Time Immemorial Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum and building partnerships between our district and neighboring tribes. The program also serves as a liaison between students, families, school staff, and community agencies that provide support and services to the urban American Indian/Alaska Native community in the Seattle/Highline area.
Ebony manages resident in-district and non-resident choice transfer requests in collaboration with multiple departments to determine placement accommodation and capacity.
Nikki is the central point of contact for establishing partnerships between community partners and the district/schools. Nikki manages the Partnership Agreement process and proactively works to ensure students have access to a variety of quality, out-of-school time opportunities, and other resources.
Veronique supports schools and families when students have missed a significant amount of school. This includes training school staff on attendance interventions, outreach to families to educate them on the attendance policies, and truancy process. Veronique is also the district liaison for truancy petitions to King County Superior Court.
Zenaida (ZZ) Newman, Translations and Interpretations
ZZ coordinates oral interpreters and written translations for schools and the district. ZZ can answer questions about accessing interpreters and translators that aren't available in your buildings.
Angelica coordinates oral interpreters and written translations for schools and the district. ZZ can answer questions about accessing interpreters and translators that aren't available in your buildings.
Amin assists families through the process of school enrollment. He communicates with families about placement options, transfer procedures and alt educational programs within HPS.
Rebeca supports elementary schools in the implementation of their family engagement strategies and best practices to increase authentic collaboration with families/ schools/ district partnerships and students’ academic success.
Rocio supports elementary schools in the implementation of their family engagement strategies and best practices to increase authentic collaboration with families/ schools/ district partnerships and students’ academic success.
Supporting Schools: Cedarhurst Elementary, Hazel Valley Elementary, Gregory Heights Elementary, and Seahurst Elementary
Rovenna supports elementary schools in the implementation of their family engagement strategies and best practices to increase authentic collaboration with families/ schools/ district partnerships and students’ academic success.
Rosa supports elementary schools in the implementation of their family engagement strategies and best practices to increase authentic collaboration with families/ schools/ district partnerships and students’ academic success.
Supporting Schools: White Center Heights Elementary, Mount View Elementary, Beverly Park Elementary, Southern Heights Elementary
Anne Marie provides counseling services (in both English and Spanish) designed to help middle and high school students, families, and support teams navigate the alternative educational pathways for the HPS Connection Center.
Visit the Connection Center webpage for more information about the program and other alternative program options.