-Parents Welcomed to " Parent University"

By: Shori Smalls

“The Education Department's Parent University is an effort designed to educate parents about what they should

expect from the school and how they can become better advocates for their children,” according to an article on the St.Thomas Source. (Click the link for more information.) http://stthomassource.com/content/news/local-news/2010/02/11/parent-university-huge-success

Sharon Richardson, director of Parent and Community Involvement, told parents to come out and join the Parent University on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from now until May 10th. Classes are held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Lockhart School.

The Parent University offers free interactive sessions for parents to help them to become more able to assist their children in school and in their daily lives. They offer sessions that focus on Academic Guidance, Self Empowerment, Parenting for Success, Conflicts Resolution, Computer/Electronic,Awareness, College/Career Readiness, Financial and more, according to a flyer.

The first cycle of the program had multiple sessions offered Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Parents who complete eight sessions took part in a graduation ceremony. “Richardson estimated that over 100 had enough classes to participate in the graduation ceremony.”

According to the St.Thomas Source, Ashley Brown said, “We learned so much. All parents should come.”

“Another parent, Edith Brown, said her favorite class was the computer class. She did not know how to use a computer prior to Parent University. She also enjoyed a class conducted by the Department of Labor in which she learned about job opportunities that she didn’t know were out there.”

If you want to enroll in the Parent University, call 775-2250 ext. 8530 or 8578

Ms. Thompson-Johnson, a teacher at Kean High said, “Parents are their children’s greatest role models. Attending Parent university says ‘I learn more to teach you.’”