OFY-Victorville Parents Graduate from Spanish-Language Tech Program

Program participants pose for a group photo at their desks at OFY’s Victorville 1 Learning Center, celebrating their accomplishments in the Spanish-language technology program.

Victorville, CA — December 15, 2025 —Laughter, pride, and applause filled the Victorville 1 Learning Center as Options For Youth – Victor Valley Charter (OFY-VV) celebrated the completion of Google for Academic Success, a 10-week, Spanish-language parent technology program developed in partnership with the Parent Institute for Bilingual Education (PIBE). The evening culminated in a joyful graduation ceremony honoring parents who committed their time and energy to building new skills in support of their children’s futures.

Seventeen parents participated in the evening course series, held from October through December 2025 at OFY’s Victorville 1 location. Designed and delivered entirely in Spanish, the program empowered families within OFY’s Hispanic community by building essential digital skills parents can use to better support their children’s academic journeys and postsecondary goals.

Program participants actively build digital skills and engage with the instructor during interactive course sessions.

Throughout the course, parents gained hands-on experience with computer fundamentals, internet research, email communication, Google Docs, and Google Slides. The program concluded with parents creating and presenting Google Slide presentations focused on college and career pathways that align with their children’s interests and aspirations. During the graduation celebration, parents presented their work to an audience of family members, students, and staff, sharing why these dream careers matter and how their new skills will help them better guide and advocate for their children.

“Family engagement is one of the most powerful drivers of student success,” said Victor F. Escobar, M.S.Ed., Assistant Principal of Instructional Operations (APIO) at Options For Youth – Victor Valley Region. “Google for Academic Success was intentionally designed as a strategy to support our Hispanic families and help improve outcomes where achievement gaps persist. For example, while around 87% of Hispanic students in the Victor Valley Union High School District graduate, English Learner students graduate at only about 77%. Programs like this provide parents with the tools and confidence to better support their children’s learning and future pathways.”

A parent delivers her career-focused presentation during the graduation ceremony, demonstrating the skills she developed throughout the program.

Christine Sundeen, Principal for the Victor Valley Charter, added, “This program is a beautiful example of what happens when schools invest in families. Seeing parents stand up, present in front of their children, and speak proudly about their hopes for the future was incredibly powerful. It reinforces that when parents feel empowered, students benefit in meaningful and lasting ways.”

The graduation celebration, held on December 15, truly reflected the spirit of the program, with a packed learning center decorated for the occasion, refreshments for families, and certificates awarded to participants in recognition of their commitment and accomplishments. All parents received certificates of completion, with additional attendance certificates presented to those who participated in every session. Several parents were also recognized by PIBE for their dedication to the course, including one participant who received a Chromebook.

The partnership with PIBE aligns with OFY-VV’s ongoing efforts to strengthen family engagement and improve graduation outcomes. PIBE’s evidence-based parent education programs are grounded in Dr. Joyce Epstein’s nationally recognized framework for school, family, and community partnerships, which emphasizes parenting, communication, learning at home, and community collaboration as key components of student achievement.

Families gather at the graduation celebration, enjoying decorations and refreshments while attentively listening to program participants share their presentations.

OFY-VV and PIBE look forward to continuing their partnership and expanding opportunities for parents to build skills that strengthen families and support student success.

Learn more and get involved:

To learn more about the Parent Institute for Bilingual Education, visit www.pibe.org.

To explore family engagement programs or future parent workshops at Options For Youth – Victor Valley Charter, contact your local OFY learning center or visit www.ofy.org.

About Options For Youth – Victor Valley Charter

Options For Youth – Victor Valley (OFY-VV) is a public charter school organization dedicated to empowering students through flexible, personalized learning options. By partnering with families and community organizations, OFY-VV supports students in achieving academic success, graduating, and preparing for college, career, and life.

About Parent Institute for Bilingual Education (PIBE)

The Parent Institute for Bilingual Education (PIBE) provides California-designed, evidence-based parent education programs that equip families with the tools to support their children’s academic success. Offered in English and Spanish, PIBE’s workshops focus on strengthening school-family partnerships and improving outcomes for students through active parent involvement.