Parents and Community
Save the Date!
by Janice White
Superintendent of Schools
This school year marks the official launch of the Saratoga Springs City School District Parent University initiative. The concept of providing learning opportunities to parents in the four strands – parenting awareness; 21st-century learning; health and wellness; and personal growth and development – is one that is rich in promise and possibilities. It is by strengthening the bonds between home and school that the ultimate success of every child is ensured.
Collaboration was the seed of this endeavor. The Saratoga
Partnership for Prevention and the school district have been
partnering Janice White
for eight years with the common goal of reducing the risks and increasing the protective factors for youth in our community. Conceived as an outgrowth of the Community Summit in November 2007, a Parent Resource subcommittee was formed to explore how to respond to the identified need to provide parents with information and support in a variety of areas. This committee surveyed parents to determine how best to develop a plan. A range of topics was highly requested. The strands represented in the Parent University design reflect the input from the survey.
As a way to celebrate and promote this program, a second summit
is being planned for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, November 7, at
Saratoga Springs High School. Titled the “Parent University
Summit, Partnership for Success,” it is focused on highlighting
the types of offerings that will be available in the future as
courses for interested parents in the community. There is no
charge for the summit or for any courses it sponsors. Child
care will be provided.
The structure of the morning is a community breakfast, a keynote
address and two workshop sessions with four choices each. Topics
presented by partners in the community are planned in financial
literacy, career planning, early childhood development,
adolescent development, technology applications, personal
growth, and health and wellness issues. The specific schedule
and agenda will be posted on the district Web site when they are
finalized.
This is an opportunity for adults in the community to participate as learners, modeling lifelong learning for the young people we educate and parent. I invite you to put this date on YOUR calendar and join us!
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