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Student, Family, and School Services

Parent Academy TO GO

"Informing, Educating, and Inspiring Families"

 

WINTER 2024 Parent Academy TO GO

Student, Family, and School Services is very excited to provide "Parent Academy TO GO," a series of virtual presentations for families to participate and view at home.

Parent Academy TO GO is designed to inform and empower families as advocates and partners in their children's education. Workshops provide families with useful information and resources to support their children's academic and emotional well-being, as well as help them to be college and career ready. Through a variety of learning opportunities hosted by MCPS staff and community partners, we hope to strengthen our engagement with families and the community. We recognize that behind every successful student are supportive families, teachers, school staff and community members who take an active role in educating our students.


Advanced registration is required to participate in our workshops and chats.

It's easy to register for a workshop! Just click on the button below to register online:

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PEP Family Resiliency Program

Is your child facing stress or struggling in school? Learn how to provide support!The PEP Family Resiliency Program is a free 8-week online program for parents/caregivers of children aged 5-18, in English, Spanish, or Amharic. Learn to support your child’s mental wellness and resiliency and connect with other parents. The program is offered by the Parent Encouragement Program (PEP). Classes start soon, so please email frp@PEPparent.org or call 301-929-8824 for more information.

 


WINTER 2024 Virtual Workshop Schedule

The Truth About Learning Styles and Why It Matters to Your Child's School Success

January 10, 6:00-7:00 pm

Teachers and parents often classify kids as auditory,  visual, or kinesthetic learners. But there’s a lot of research showing “learning styles” are actually a bust, and categorizing your kid won’t improve their ability to learn (or their test scores!). This workshop includes the most effective study strategies all learners should master, how to help students retain information and challenge their brain, and how to turn passive studying sessions into active and engaging learning sessions. Presented by Ann Dolin, M. Ed. of Educational Connections. Recommended for families of high school students.


Communicating with Teens

January 11, 6:00-7:00 pm

Do you feel like it’s difficult to communicate with your teen? Are you wondering how to have a real conversation? In this workshop, you will learn helpful and practical skills to encourage communication between you and your teenager and strategies that can help reduce problems. Recommended for families of middle, and high school students.


Managing Morning Mayhem and Bedtime Battles

January 17, 6:00-7:00 pm

For busy families, the two most challenging times of the day are the morning and the evening. Add in school-year time pressure and these times can become a high-stakes battlefield. Learn how to motivate your child to be ready to roll in the morning with everything they need, and to wind down at night in a way that ensures readiness for the next day. Maximize success for everyone during the busy school year. Presented by the Parent Encouragement Program. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.


Online Safety Tips for Kids and Teens

January 24, 6:00-7:00 pm

Because kids are using media and tech at a younger age, helping them learn how to navigate their digital world should start as soon as they begin using devices. We should remain engaged and continue these conversations into their teens because as kids get older, online interactions can become more complicated. In this session, we will explore safety and some things you can to help your kids and teens safely explore digital spaces. Presented by Common Sense Media. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.


Mindfulness: Managing Stress During Difficult Times

January 25, 6:00-7:00 pm

Effective focus, motivation, handling frustrations, and communication depend on the ability of students to understand and manage their emotions. These are basic competencies that are crucial to student well-being and success. This virtual workshop will focus on how to include Mindfulness practices in both the curriculum and our personal life. Presented by MCPS staff. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.


Positive Discipline

February 1, 6:00-7:00 pm

Do you find yourself getting frustrated with your kids or giving in to their demands? For many families, discipline is one of the toughest parts of parenting, but also one of the most important. Discover how to keep peace in your home through the power of the logical consequence approach instead of punishment. Learn strategies to discipline with love, without threats and bribes and how to establish age appropriate expectations for behavior and consequences. Presented by Parent Assistant Resource (PAR). Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.


Parenting Strategies for Managing Behaviors

February 21, 6:00-7:00 pm

Disruptive behavior within families often leads to increased conflict, higher levels of parent stress, and reduced feelings of connection. Join Dr. Rachel Singer to identify practical strategies for responding to kid's and teen's behavior. Lower your own stress level through using more effective strategies! Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.


Sharpening Phonics Skills at Home

February 28, 6:00-7:00 pm

Many students, third grade and up, still find sounding out and spelling words difficult—this makes all the reading and writing in school feel hard. Practicing with step-by-step phonics materials can improve these skills and build a student’s confidence and enjoyment of reading. MCPS has partnered with Open Source Phonics, a website that provides tutoring materials that are free and aligned with MCPS curriculum. Tips for making phonics practice fun and stress-free will be provided, so please come! Recommended for families of elementary students.


Active Parenting of Teens (Part 1 of 4)

February 29, 6:30-7:30 pm

This is Part 1 of a 4-part series. Attendance at all 4 workshops is encouraged.

For parents and caregivers of preteens and teens, this workshop series will provide the skills needed to use effective discipline, teach responsibility, and communicate better with their children. We will also address how to handle sensitive issues such as drugs, sexuality, and violence. Facilitated by Montgomery County Federation of Families. Recommended for families of middle and high school students.


Active Parenting of Teens (Part 2 of 4)

March 7, 6:30-7:30 pm

This is Part 2 of a 4-part series. Attendance at all 4 workshops is encouraged.

For parents and caregivers of preteens and teens, this workshop series will provide the skills needed to use effective discipline, teach responsibility, and communicate better with their children. We will also address how to handle sensitive issues such as drugs, sexuality, and violence. Facilitated by Montgomery County Federation of Families. Recommended for families of middle and high school students.


Summer Fun: Explore the Possibilities with Recreation

March 12, 6:00-7:00 pm

Montgomery County Recreation (MCR) has something for everyone! In this presentation, you will hear about this year's summer programs and camps. There will be an outline of what is needed to apply for youth volunteer and employment opportunities and you will find out how to submit for RecAssist, MCR's scholarship program. MCR's professionals will also share how you and your family can connect to these opportunities. Join us to have fun and even win prizes. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.


The New Digital SAT: Everything You Need to Know

March 13, 6:00-7:00 pm

As the digital SAT (dSAT) launches in 2024, parents and students are entering unfamiliar ground. This workshop will focus on key changes between the current pencil-and-paper SAT and the new digital version. Key Takeaways will include understanding differences and similarities between the ACT, traditional SAT, and dSAT, learning about online tools and study methods, and finding out how  you can assist your child during this pivotal time in their academic journey. Facilitated by BREAKTHROUGH Test Prep. Recommended for families of middle and high school students. 


Active Parenting of Teens (Part 3 of 4)

March 14, 6:30-7:30 pm

This is Part 3 of a 4-part series. Attendance at all 4 workshops is encouraged.

For parents and caregivers of preteens and teens, this workshop series will provide the skills needed to use effective discipline, teach responsibility, and communicate better with their children. We will also address how to handle sensitive issues such as drugs, sexuality, and violence. Facilitated by Montgomery County Federation of Families. Recommended for families of middle and high school students.


How to Help Foster Intergenerational Relationships Between Students and Their Grandparents

March 19 6:00-7:00 pm
 

Parents/guardians play a vital role in helping children connect with older family members like grandparents. Whether students are living with, near, or far away from their grandparents, hear examples and learn practical strategies that parents can use to help their children appreciate and connect with grandparents. Presented by Isabel Tom, author of The Value of Wrinkles and Creator of The Grandkid Investigator Kit. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.


Roadmap to College: What Students Should Do to Stand Out During High School

March 20, 6:00-7:00 pm

College admissions offices across the country are overflowing with applications as more students cast a wider net in their pursuit of the perfect school. As the process gets more competitive, finding ways to stand out is a must. This workshop shares insight on topics such as how the college admissions landscape is continually changing, the most significant factors that now determine whether a student will be admitted to their dream school, and how students can use their interests and accomplishments to craft a narrative throughout high school to help their future applications stand out. Presented by Educational Connections. Recommended for families of high school students.


Active Parenting of Teens (Part 4 of 4)

March 21, 6:00-7:00 pm

This is Part 4 of a 4-part series. Attendance at all 4 workshops is encouraged.

For parents and caregivers of preteens and teens, this workshop series will provide the skills needed to use effective discipline, teach responsibility, and communicate better with their children. We will also address how to handle sensitive issues such as drugs, sexuality, and violence. Facilitated by Montgomery County Federation of Families. Recommended for families of middle and high school students.


Smash Boom Best Food: Waste Prevention Hacks For Home and School

April 2, 6:00-7: 00 pm

Take an active role in to engage your children in preventing waste!  A food expert and her resourceful second grader will share their 8 favorite "easy to adopt" hacks for home and school which could result in huge savings for you and your family. Presented by Daniela Ochoa Gonzalez, a local food systems freelancer, who is an MCPS mom and a member of the  MCCPTA Sustainability and Green Schools subcommittee. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.


Trucos para que tus hijos y tu familia aprovechen al máximo la comida y el lunch de la escuela

4 de abril, 6:00-7:00 pm

¡Involucra a sus hijos en la prevención del desperdicio de alimentos! Una experta en alimentación resiliente y su ingenioso hijo de quinto grado compartirán sus 8 trucos favoritos "fáciles de adoptar" para el hogar y la escuela que podrían generar grandes ahorros para usted y su familia. Presentado por Daniela Ochoa González, consultora en sistemas alimentarios locales, madre de MCPS y miembro del subcomité de Sostenibilidad y Escuelas Ecológicas de MCCPTA. Recomendado para familias de estudiantes de primaria, secundaria y preparatoria.


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MCPS Parent Academy TO GO Video Series

The MCPS Parent Academy TO GO series provides families with information central to their children's academic and emotional well-being. Led by community professionals and MCPS specialists, we offer a variety of workshops and chats focused on topics important to families of MCPS students. Our goal is to empower families with the skills and strategies necessary to become active participants in their children’s education.

If you were unable to join one of our Parent Academy TO GO workshops or chats, visit the MCPS YouTube channel for recorded sessions. Please note that it may take up to a week before new recordings are posted.

 
 

How-To Videos

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Cómo iniciar sesión en una Chromebook MCPS

 

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