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FamilySchool Partnership Committee Bethel Public Schools’ Third Annual Parent University February 25, 2015 (Snow date March 4th
) 6:307:20 ~Session 1 Building an Education Budget The 20152016 education budget is of critical importance to our school district. Come hear the Superintendent of Schools and the Director of Fiscal Services discuss the planning process for the budget and provide you with an overview of the proposal budget, understand implications for budget cuts, and be informed of upcoming budget meetings. Audience:
All Presenters: Dr. Christine Carver, Superintendent Mrs. Teri Yonsky, Director of Fiscal Services Location:
Room 175 A Kindergarten Orientation
(for students entering Kindergarten in 2015) This incoming kindergarten parent information meeting will explain the focus of the kindergarten program and answer questions regarding our child’s upcoming kindergarten experience. You will have a chance to meet the principals, ask questions, and relieve any anxieties you may have about your child’s upcoming experience in the Bethel Public Schools. We hope to see you at this meeting. Audience:
Incoming Kindergarten Parents 2015 Presenters: Ms. Trisha Soucy, Principal of Rockwell School Mrs. Danielle Legnard, Principal of Berry School Location:
Media Center
The Blend of an Era: Blended Learning Classrooms and the 21st
Century Student (Gr. 45) This workshop will focus on the integration of technology into a typical classroom as we adapt our teaching for the next generation of learners. We will explore how Blended Learning works and what parents can expect from this innovative approach to teaching. Audience:
Grades 45 Presenter:
Mr. Jeff Moscowitz, Grade 5 Teacher Location:
Room 185 2

The Blend of an Era: Blended Learning Classrooms and the 21st
Century Student (Gr. 612) This workshop will focus on the integration of technology into a typical classroom as we adapt our teaching for the next generation of learners. We will explore how Blended Learning works and what parents can expect from this innovative approach to teaching. Audience:
Grades 612 Presenter:
Mrs. Donna Burns, Media Specialist Location:
Room 171 IEP 101 Understanding the Development of Your Child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to be an Active, Informed Member of the Planning and Placement Team Meeting Each student who receives special education services has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Parents play an important role in the development of the plan. Understanding the components and alignment of the IEP helps support a partnership with parents and their child’s school. A solid partnership strengthens parents’ contribution to the Planning and Placement Team process and ultimately supports students’ success toward mastery of identified goals. Audience:
All Presenter:
Mrs. Susan Budris, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services Location:
Room 172 Helping Your K2 Child: A Parent's Guide to Raising Lifelong Readers In grades K2, children are just starting out on the road to reading. This presentation will give you some very useful strategies and resources for you to use at home. Please come with your questions,too. In addition, some free books especially created for K,1, and 2 will be available! Audience:
Grades K2 Presenters: Mrs. Diane Kinkade, Literacy Specialist Mrs. Michelle Pashaian, Literacy Specialist Location:
Room 176 A Parent’s Guide to Raising Lifelong Readers (Gr. 35) In Grades 3 5 the
focus in reading shifts from learning to read, to reading to learn.
The goal is for students to become motivated, enthusiastic and thoughtful readers who can independently apply their skills to materials across all content areas.
A Parent’s Guide to Raising Lifelong Readers seminar will give parents the tools and strategies to support their child’s reading at home, and continue to foster a love and excitement for reading. Audience
: Grades 35 Presenters: Mrs. Kara DiBartolo, Instructional Coach Mrs. Beth Grieco, Instructional Coach Mrs. Martha Wyatt, Literacy Specialist Ms. Christy Bibb, Grade 3 Teacher Location:
Room 183 3
Reading and Writing Beyond Text Messages, Twitter and Facebook: Supporting Adolescent Literacy Your teens and tweens may not admit it, but they still need your support with literacy. Explore practical tips for supporting continued literacy development at home. Participants will have the opportunity to consider multiple resources and strategies for helping middle and high school students with reading, writing, and research skills. Audience:
Grades 612 Presenters: Mrs. Danielle Troetti, Instructional Coach Mrs. Lynda Lozier, Instructional Coach Mrs. Jessica Galbraith, Social Studies Department Head, Bethel High School Location:
Room 174 What Parents Need to Know About Substance Abuse Join us for a critical conversation on identifying the warning signs of substance abuse and ways to communicate with your child. Learn ways to foster healthy decisionmaking and empower your child to avoid drug use and drug addiction. Audience
: All Presenter
: TBD Location:
Room 179 Social Media: Strategies to Support Internet Safety Sergeant George Bryce of the Bethel Police Department will educate parents on strategies to support internet safety. His presentation will include: latest social media site applications and dangers and strategies for monitoring your child(ren). Audience:
Grades 612 Presenter:
Sergeant George Bryce, Bethel Police Department Location:
Room 180 StandardsBased Report Cards Did you ever wonder, how do teachers determine student progress? What does it mean to "meet the standard?" How do you interpret your child's report card? Join Mrs. Salerno for a presentation and round table discussion about the process of assessing students and reporting their performance on a StandardsBased Report Card. Audience:
Grades 45 Presenter:
Mrs. Alison Salerno, Principal of Johnson School Location:
Room 182 4
7:308:20 ~Session 2 The Math Promise: Celebrating Math at Home and At School Join us as we explore fun and engaging ways to support your children's mathematical thinking at home and school. Learn how to celebrate math all around us as we turn everyday happenings into mathematical moments! Tap into the minds of your children as we encourage thinking and problem solving. Participants will leave this session with a folder filled with math goodies to take home and share with your families. Audience: Grades K5 Presenters: Mrs. Danielle Legnard, Principal of Berry School Mrs. Alison Salerno, Principal of Johnson School Mrs. Amy Weed, Instructional Coach Ms. Lauren Catalano, First Grade Teacher Location:
Room 171 Middle School Math: Pathways to Success Join us as we explore the critical areas of mathematics at each middle school grade level. Learn how to foster mathematical thinking at home and celebrate mathematical moments in your child’s daily life. Participants will leave this session with resources to support their child at home and increase his/her mathematical confidence and success. Audience:
Grades 68 Presenters: Ms. Lauren Zafrin, Instructional Coach Mrs. Marie Jowdy, Math Teacher Location:
Room 180 Calming Chaos Stress Management Strategies & Resources for Families (Grades K2) Stressed out? Parents and caregivers, join us for both an informative and experential workshop that will provide you with tools to help you manage your own stress and that of your children. We will discuss how stress affects our minds, bodies and quality of life, and present clinical strategies and techniques to improve your capacity to manage stress. We will also discuss how stress impacts your children, and demonstrate two mindfulnessbased techniques that you can do at home to help reduce stress: Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) and Guided Imagery. Be prepared to relax! Audience:
K2 Presenters: Mrs. Kate Coffey, Social Worker Mr. Joe Melo, School Counselor Location:
Room 179 Building Resiliency and Independence (Grades 35) One of the most important goals as a parent is to raise children who become independent and self reliant. This workshop will answer the question of “what is resiliency?” and what you can do as parents to increase your child’s independence to improve his/her resiliency. Audience:
Grades 35 Presenters: Ms. Kayleigh Novi, School Psychologist Ms. Amy Shulkin, School Psychologist Location:
Room 175 5
Building Resiliency in Middle & High School Students (Grades 612) As parents we instinctively want to protect our adolescent children from adversity. Yet we know our adolescents are often faced with difficult challenges on a daily basis. Adolescents must cope with the everyday pressures of meeting increasing academic demands, navigating social media and interacting with classmates, family and the community. The ability to adapt and grow in the face of these challenges arises from the skills of resilience. The good news is that resilience skills can be learned! Building resilience — the ability to adapt well to adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress — can help our children manage stress and feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. Resilience involves behaviors, thoughts and actions that can be learned over time. Join us for guidelines and tips for fostering the development of resilience in your adolescent. Audience:
Grades 612 Presenters: Mrs. Theresa McGorty, Social Worker Mrs. Kim Hillyer, School Counselor Mrs. Lisa Baker, Social Worker Location:
Room 182 Helping Your Child Transition to High School This workshop will be an open forum for parents to ask questions, and discuss challenges students face as they transition to High School. Mr. Troetti, Principal of Bethel High School, will provide resources to help guide parents in their understanding of freshman year. Audience:
Grades 68 Presenter:
Mr. Chris Troetti, Principal of Bethel High School Location:
Room 174 Providing Pathways to Kindergarten Readiness: Understanding the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards Being ready for kindergarten is more than knowing the ABCs. Come and explore the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards and learn what your child works on in preschool and what you can do at home to support your child’s learning with items you already have in your home. Audience:
PreSchool Presenters: Ms. Liz DiBiase, Supervisor of Special Education Mrs. Kristine Cochrane, Circle of Friends Teacher Mrs. Lisa Vance, Circle of Friends Teacher Location:
Room 172 What Does the Future Hold for the Bethel Public Schools? Join us as we share the vision for the Bethel Public Schools. Learn about the strategic planning efforts driven by various stakeholders across our community. Preliminary short and long term goals will be shared. Participants will leave with an understanding of the work of the Strategic Planning Committee to date outlining areas of focus for our school district. Audience:
All Presenters: Dr. Christine Carver, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristen Brooks Assistant Superintendent of Schools Location:
Media Center