ParentUniversity Course Selection Guide Fall 2009

Your families have questions. ParentUniversity has the answers!

ParentUniversity is a community based initiative led by CMS that helps parents become full partners in their children’s education through workshops, seminars and interactive learning opportunities. We serve families throughout MecklenburgCounty by meeting them where they already are - schools, community centers, houses of worship, libraries and other locations. Currently, we are scheduling the schools and locations that will host ParentUniversity offerings for the fall 2009 session.

We bring the knowledge to you!

Bringing ParentUniversity classes to you is easy. Attached you will find a listing of the courses and seminars being offered during the fall 2009 session of ParentUniversity. Simply review the list and record your selections on the sheet provided. We encourage you to talk with your PTA President and other parents and staff members to select the courses that best meet your needs. Once you return the sheet, a ParentUniversity representative will contact you to confirm the classes you have requested.

Hosting is a Win/Win for all!

Every school has a need and obligation to involve parents; hosting curriculum nights, seminars, workshops and a variety of other activities to keep families informed and engaged. ParentUniversity supports schools in these efforts by bringing classes and learning opportunities directly to the school. Here are just a few ways hosting a ParentUniversity class can benefit your school:

  • Presenters, materials and resources are provided at no cost
  • Hosting eliminates the need to search for qualified speakers and presenters throughout the year
  • Schools benefit from the widespread marketing offered through ParentUniversity
  • Hosting jump-starts the planning of parent involvement programming next year

A few facts about ParentUniversity classes:

  • ParentUniversity provides the speaker and materials for the sessions
  • ParentUniversity and its presenters have access to laptops and LCD projectors
  • ParentUniversity provides flyers, Connect-Ed scripts and other marketing materials to schools. Schools are asked to take a lead role in promoting to parents at the school level as well as partner with other schools in the area
  • ParentUniversity widely advertises the sessions to CMS schools and our other community partners
  • Class will be listed in the Parent University Catalog of offerings for the fall
  • Classes usually last between 60 and 90 minutes and occur throughout the week at times that best suit families
  • Classes typically have about 30 participants. Seminars and speakers can accommodate larger groups (most of our presenters are flexible)
  • When you host a ParentUniversity class at your school, we ask that you build support and participation for the program by marketing the session to your parents through your newsletter, announcements, websites, school marquee, and other forms of communication. We encourage you to work with your PTA President and School Leadership Team to make ParentUniversity classes part of your PTA meetings.
  • ParentUniversity serves all of MecklenburgCounty, so we also ask that you open the class to other families in other schools and neighboring communities.
  • We ask that a representative from your school be present during the class. A Parent University liaison will also be present to provide support and assistance as well as coordinate sign-in sheets, evaluation forms, and certificates for participants.

If you are interested in hosting a class, we invite you to return the form with your selections by Friday, June 12. If you have questions or need additional information, call 980-343-0318 or email . Thank you for your help! We look forward to partnering with you!

Title of Session / Presented by / Description / Available in Spanish? / Availability
August 8th-December 4th
2009
STRAND I – PARENTING AWARENESS
Ages and Stages from Birth to Three / Child Care Resources / This class will assist families in meeting the needs of young children from birth to age three. Parents/families will explore how young children develop and learn, and will discover the amazing capacity of infants and toddlers to understand and respond to their world. They will also learn what young children need from adults and from their culture in order to grow and thrive. / Yes / Mondays from 6:30-8:00
Choosing High Quality Child Care / Child Care Resources / A child care consumer education and referral specialist will educate parent(s) about how to: navigate the maze of child care options available in their community; select a quality child care program; access information about the various types of financial assistance available that can offset the high cost of care; and discern quality in child care programs. Parents equipped with this knowledge are more likely to make an informed decision that will support their child(ren)’s success in school and life. / Yes / Tuesday or Wednesdays 6:30pm – 8:00 pm
Communities, Parents and Schools Working Together to Prevent Bullying / CMS Family & Community Services / Learning Objectives:
As a result of this workshop, participants will:
Understand the root causes of bullying behavior
Understand the dynamics of non-physical bullying tactics such as cyber-bullying, intimidation and isolation
Get practical tips for addressing the needs of a child who is a bully or one who is being bullied
Understand CMS’s policies relating to bullying / Yes / Flexible Monday-Saturday
Staying One Step Ahead-A Parent’s Guide to Youth Culture / CMPD
Families Allowing Intervention To Heal (The FAITH Initiative) / Today’s children are more technologically savvy than their parents. They also have unlimited access to information that parents are not aware of. This course is designed to educate parents and caregivers of the challenges facing their children in today’s culture. We will discuss available resource referrals in order to assist parents with addressing and preventing those challenges that adversely affect many parent-child relationships. / No / Monday 6pm – 8 pm
Thursday 6pm-8pm
Saturday 10am-12pm
Gang Awareness / Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools / Criminal street gangs are one of our nation’s most serious problems. Everyday, new members are recruited in Charlotte. This workshop will help parents and community members find out how to keep children out of gangs, understand the warning signs, and get information and resources if a child is already in a gang. / Possibly – working on this / Flexible
Tackling The Twos and Beyond / PresbyterianHospital / This workshop will educate parents on how to address discipline issues in a manner which results in a positive outcome for all. / No / Evenings
Teens and Adolescents -An Owners’ Manual / MecklenburgCounty 4H Robert Furr / Understanding what makes teens tick is the first step to successful relationships. This interactive class will help you decode the mystery that is your teen. Parents will get useful information regarding the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of teens. This class will explore why it makes sense to connect with teens where they are while gently helping them navigate the transition into adulthood. / No / Thursday, September 24
Thursday, October 1
Tuesday, November 3
Tuesday, November 10
From Boys To Gentlemen: Raising Young Men in the 21st Century / The Gentlemen’s Institute / This course explores the fundamentals of etiquette, chivalry and the importance of developing and maintaining a positive image as it relates to young men in the 21st century. Participants will be engaged in hands on activities that can be easily incorporated in the home setting. Class will give an overview of basic dining etiquette, social etiquette, public speaking, chivalry and attire. Workshop and activities will focus on materials that are designed specifically to be translated to young men through parental modeling, coaching and demonstration. / No / Monday –Thursday 5pm-9pm
The A.C.T. Parents Raising Safe Kids Program (Series is eight two hour sessions) / The University of North Carolina at CharlotteInstitute for Social Capital, Inc. / ACT is a primary prevention program that is geared to provide parents with a general inoculation against child maltreatment. during which parents will learn 1) basic information on child development, 2) risk factors for violence and its consequences, 3) protective factors and skills for effective parenting, such as anger management, peaceful conflict resolution, discipline, and media violence education, and 4) participating in the community’s efforts on violence and child maltreatment prevention. / Curriculum available in Spanish However there is no staff person available to deliver the program in Spanish / Weekday evenings
This program is delivered over eight, 2 hour sessions
This Is Tough, But I Can Do It!
Parenting Skills for the Non-Traditional Family / Touch, Inc. / This course is designed to define the Roles Rights and Responsibility of all parents. Quality time will be spent on the unique challenges of non traditional parenting and
techniques parents can use to face barriers that reduce opportunities to help children succeed at home, at school and in life. / No / Flexible
“How to Talk so Your Teen will Listen, and Listen so Your Teen will Talk” / Whitehead Associates Inc. / This mini-course will offer parents an opportunity to not only learn, but experience the valuable skill of generous listening. Taking the time to not only listen to the words, but the message behind the words of their teens. From the teen’s perspective, when they feel heard, truly heard, their natural tendency is to relax and share. Maybe not in that exact moment, but somewhere when you might least expect it. / No / Weekday Evenings
Increasing Natural Support Systems – Finding the Fit for You and Your Kid / WOTP Program / This course provides a “roadmap” or path to help youth and families move through the process of understanding their behavioral needs. The program explores drivers that may cause youth to act out. / Yes / Flexible
Siempre Papa / YMCA of Greater Charlotte / This course focuses on the characteristics that men need to be an involved father 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.This community-based program helps men develop the right attitudes and knowledge. It improves men’s knowledge of basic fathering skills, improves their attitudes towards fathering, and helps them get and stay involved with their children. / Yes – only offered in Spanish / September 16, 2009
November 11, 2009
Save the Drama – Conflict Resolution / CMS Substance Abuse Prevention / This workshop offers an examination of conflict in families. Conflict is an inevitable facet of everyday life and can serve as a catalyst for growth. In this workshop, families will learn strategies to de-escalate self and others when engaged in conflict. / No / Flexible
Just Visiting – Internet and Cyber Safety / Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department / This workshop will allow families to limit risks posed by Internet predators and access to inappropriate sites, explore current trends in young people’s internet usage, and discuss the important role the Internet plays in social interaction / No / Flexible
The Mind That’s Mine / All Kinds of Minds/Schools Attuned / This program allows parents and caregivers/teachers to explore how their own minds work by developing their own neuro-developmental constructs of the brain and how to support their child’s learning style / No / Flexible
“Not My Kid…A Frank Discussion About What’s Happening with Teens in Your Community” / CMS Family and Community Services, CMPD / How many times have you heard your teenagers say, “we’re just going to the movies and hanging out?” Unfortunately, what starts as an innocent meeting among friends can turn into a dreaded chorus of wrongs – wrong choice, wrong crowd, wrong place, wrong time. In the workshop, parents can arm themselves with the information they need to avoid these pitfalls. / No / Flexible
STRAND II – HELPING YOUR CHILD LEARN IN THE 21ST CENTURY
21st Century Learning Skills- What they are and why they are important / Citizen Schools / School isn’t like it used to be and neither is society. Students must be prepared for a global society work environment. This requires new ways of approaching learning. Participants will learn history and background of the term 21st Century Learning skills or New Basic Skills. Participants will then learn 21st Century Skills and be exposed to ways these skills can be integrated into after school and extended learning opportunities. Participants will then be taught strategies and methods to advocate for increased emphasis and integration of 21st Century in their communities. (appropriate for parents, teachers, and after school care providers) / No / Tuesdays between 4pm& 7pm
Ready, Set, Read / CMS Curriculum & Instruction Dept. / Have you ever wondered how to spark a reading interest or develop activities to foster reading for your child? This workshop is geared towards supporting parents with resources and activities to extend a love of reading into the home. Participants will leave with activities, resources and ideas for making reading a family event. / No / Thursday Evenings
CMS 101 / CMS Family & Community Services / As a result of this workshop, participants will:
Understand CMS goals and philosophy
Understand the best ways to communicate with CMS
Understand how the district is organized
Find out where to go to get the information you need to support your child’s learning (Parent Assistant and other resources) / Yes / Flexible Monday-Saturday
Can We Talk? – Positive Parent Teacher Conferences / CMS Family & Community Services / Learning Objectives:
As a result of this workshop, participants will:
Understand the importance of attending parent-teacher conferences at every grade level
Gain skills to help parent-teacher conferences be more effective
Understand how to request and prepare for conferences
Know when to request a conference
Understand the difference among conferences in elementary, middle and high school / Yes / Flexible Monday-Saturday
Overview of Gifted and Advanced Programs / CMS Talent Development And AVID / This course is designed to provide parents with an overview of the gifted and advanced studies program in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. A focus for the presentation will be the identification process, services available, and the students’ rights as an identified gifted student. / Yes / Flexible except Wednesdays
Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Students / CMS Talent Development And AVID / This course will cover some of the major social and economic issues facing gifted students including but not limited to overachieving, perfectionism, underachieving, and asynchronous development. A particular focus will be on how parents can help their students with these issues both at home and in school. / No / Flexible except Wednesdays
Helping Your High School Student Prepare for College / CPCC / Session to inform parents of how to be involved in their students’ college enrollment process including application, placement testing, registration and financial aid. The course covers the benefits of a community college / Possibility / Flexible Weekdays
The Millennial Generation / Dr. Terri Manning
CPCC / Can’t seem to communicate with your child? What about your boss or even your own parents? Maybe it’s just a generation gap. This interesting discussion explores the millennial generation. The millennial generation is the generation of children born between 1982 and 2002, some 81 million children who have taken over K-12, have already entered college and the workforce. This generation will replace the Baby-boomers as they retire. The millennials have different characteristics than any generation before them and in order to serve them better, K-12 education and colleges and universities are having to change the way they do business. / No / Call for scheduling Information
Becoming Your Child's Best and Most Effective Advocate / Exceptional Children’s AssistanceCenter / Strong advocacy skills are critical as you work to ensure your child benefits from his/her education. Learn the steps to help you effectively advocate for your child's needs. Remember, you are an equal partner in your child's education. / Yes / Flexible Monday-Saturday
Everybody Belongs!: Inclusion / Exceptional Children’s AssistanceCenter / This workshop discusses the philosophy, legal issues, barriers and strategies related to the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular classroom settings. Participants will have a betterunderstanding of how to partner with teachers to
create inclusive school environments for students, including students with significant disabilities. / Yes / Flexible Monday-Saturday
I'm Growing Up, Transition to Preschool or Kindergarten / Exceptional Children’s AssistanceCenter / This workshop includes important information for parents of children 2.5 through 5. Prepare for the big move from Early Intervention services into school-age rights and services (beginning at age 3) and continue building a strong educational foundation for your child. Learn about the school-age special education process and your role and responsibilities in that process. / Yes / Flexible Monday-Saturday