Parents across the St. Thomas-St. John District are invited to enroll in the new Parent University Program. “Parent University, an initiative of the V.I. Department of Education, is aimed at providing parents a unique opportunity to learn more about how to help their children succeed in school, how to use the technology students use, how to deal with challenges facing children, and so much more. At Parent University, parents take classes, develop their own skills, earn certificates and learn more about how to partner with schools in their children’s education,” said District Superintendent Jeanette Smith-Barry.
The program launch and registration is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, in the Ruth E. Thomas Auditorium. The special guest speaker for the event will be the dynamic Byron Garrett, CEO of the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
Every parent is eligible to participate in the program, but space is limited so interested persons are urged to register at the launch event to secure a confirmed seat. The first 200 parents to arrive will receive special prizes and one lucky parent will receive a laptop computer. Transportation, child care and refreshments will be provided each evening.
Classes will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20,at the Edith Williams Alternative Academy. They will be held weekly on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.The first of the two four-week sessions will include sessions on the following topics:
· Gang Awareness and Refusal Skills: Keeping Children Safe – Parents will learn to recognize the various signs and symbols of gang activity in their homes, neighborhoods and schools, and what they can do to help their children avoid gang activity and be safe at school and at home.
· Understanding How Schools Work – Parents will understand how schools function and how they can find out information, motivate and encourage their children, and really parent and partner for student success. (Two sessions, one of which will be for parents of English language learners.)
· Superintendent’s Round Table – This is an opportunity to dialogue face to face with the superintendent of schools and share concerns and ideas about student achievement.
· How to Support your Child’s Reading Growth – Parents will get information on what they can do at home to help children develop good reading habits.
· Do you Understand Your Child’s School? For Parents of English Language Learners (ELL)
· Internet Safety: Avoiding Cyber Bullying, Internet Stalkers and Predators – Representatives from the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement will help parents understand how children on the Internet can avoid Internet crimes involving stalkers and predators.
· Getting My Own E-mail Address and Learning to Communicate Online – Parents will leave with e=mail addresses.
For more information on Parent University, contact the Office of the St. Thomas-St. John District Superintendent at 775-2250.