MARYSVILLE – The school district is continuing its efforts to connect with the local hispanic population this summer.

It had a Family Information Night for Spanish-speaking parents Monday to explain summer activities to keep them involved.

Mayor Jon Nehring talked about the Spray Park downtown being open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day. He also talked about the scenic Ebey Waterfront Trail that recently opened. And he invited attendees to be part of the Marysville Strawberry Festival this weekend, specifically mentioning the car show and The Market at Asbery Field, the carnival at Marysville Middle School and the 7:45 p.m. grand parade downtown.

“It’s important to the city that everyone feels included,” Nehring said, adding that on the city’s website visitors can access information via different languages.

School board member Bruce Larson told the Spanish-speaking audience, through an interpreter, that their students are important to the district.

“They are our future. We want them to do well,” he said.

Also attending was Rene De Los Santos. He started a job Monday that will try to connect the YMCAs in Marysville and Monroe with the hispanic communities in each. He said it’s his job to find out what hispanics need to better connect with the YMCA. One thing already being done in Mukilteo that he’d like to bring here next year is free swim lessons at pools in apartment complexes where hispanics live. De Los Santos said many of their parents never learned to swim, but around here, where there is so much water, it’s an important skill to learn.

For details about the schools connecting with the hispanic community, contact Wendy Volosin at 360-965-0054 or Wendy_messarina_volosin@msd25.org.