Dear Parents and Guardians,

I have some exciting opportunities to share with you regarding free, virtual parenting programs with free dinners! The Montgomery County Office of Drug & Alcohol is funding the following programs that will be facilitated by Sarah Messina of Child Guidance, Inc.:  

• Strengthening Families ages 10-14 –  This is an evidence-based program that helps parents express love while setting limits, improves parents’ and children’s listening skills, improves family bonding, and helps members show appreciation for one another. 

• Guiding Good Choices ages 9-14 - This is an evidence-based program that increases family communication, reduces rates of early substance use, and improves parent-child relationships.

For both programs, your family will receive free dinner each night of class!  You will have the choice to have pizza delivered to your home or a $50 DoorDash gift card each night of the program.  Plus, your children will receive gift cards for participating.  

Strengthening Families ages 10-14 -

The group will meet for 7 Mondays:  9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27 &11/3.  Parent group and child group meet at 6:00 pm (they will need to be on separate devices), and the whole family meets together at 7:00pm. 

You may access a flyer for this program at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jyiKUIQktdhBp7R9JIDEdnua7mMYD5CO/view?usp=sharing

Guiding Good Choices ages 9-14

This is a 5-week program.  You have the option to sign up for Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.  Each week, parents will meet from 6:00 to 7:00 pm without children.  The children will join the group on the fourth session for a discussion about peer pressure.  They will receive a gift card for participating. 

• Monday Group:   9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13 & 10/20, from 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm 

• Tuesday Group:  9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14 & 10/21 from 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm

• Wednesdays: 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15 & 10/22 from 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm

• Thursdays: 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16 & 10/23 from 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm

You may access a flyer for this program at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t77Wdl9txkJfLcE3qGHJiPn6t1-alMQs/view?usp=sharing

You may register for these programs at https://forms.gle/72KLwNMZuJ7KB5fNA or contact Sarah Messina  at smessina@cgrc.org or 484-450-6266. Many of our Upper Merion families have taken these programs and have evaluated them to be very worthwhile.  I hope you can take advantage of these wonderful opportunities.  If you have any questions, please let me know. 

SIncerely, 

Susan Shelton

Community Mobilizer for Upper Merion Area CAST – Community Alliance for a Safer Tomorrow

CAST Cell: 610-304-5533

Follow CAST on Social Media:

Facebook: @UpperMerionCAST

X: @CASTMobilizer 

Instagram: @um_cast 

This week, I invite you to join us for Back to School Night on Thursday, 6:00–7:30 PM. This event is a wonderful opportunity to:

• Meet your child’s teacher

• Learn more about the exciting plans for the year ahead

• Visit your child’s classroom and see where the learning happens
  
  

You’ll find the evening’s schedule included below. 

Back to School Night Schedule

6:00-6:20 - Welcome Presentation in the Gym

6:30-6:50 - Session 1 (classroom teacher)

7:00-7:20 - Session 2 (repeat of Session 1)

Please note that this event is for parents/guardians only. We kindly ask that children remain at home, as there will be no childcare provided. Seating will be limited, and the presentations are designed specifically for adults to provide valuable information about the curriculum, classroom expectations, procedures, and homework.

Additional Information:

• Enter the building through the gym entrance (the doors to the left of the main entrance).

• This evening is not intended for individual parent-teacher conferences. Those may be scheduled at a later date to discuss your child’s progress in a more private setting. Our first official conference days will be on November 19th and November 24th (noon dismissals).

• As in past years, we anticipate high parent turnout. Parking will be limited, so please consider walking or carpooling if possible.

We can’t wait to welcome you into the building and share all the great things happening at Gulph.  

See you then!
Chris