Parents of school age children typically have a lot of questions. From wondering how to help their incoming kindergartener navigate the first few weeks of school to preventing an older child from using drugs or alcohol, parents often feel like they could use some guidance.
Amanda Hamm, prevention manager for the Kyrene School District, is a parent herself. She understands first-hand how important it is for parents to have access to good information to help their children succeed in school. With that goal in mind, Hamm and other Kyrene employees have been busy planning the second annual Kyrene Parent Summit – Education for Parents, which will take place on Thursday, April 25 at Centennial Middle School in Ahwatukee.
Hamm said Kyrene Prevention Services teamed up with the Kyrene Foundation; MASK: Mothers Awareness on School Aged Kids; the Tempe Police Department; Thrive to Five, and many other groups to offer the Kyrene Parent Summit, which also includes dinner and child care.
During the program, Hamm said parents can attend two 1-hour sessions on a wide range of topics. The classes include “Getting Ready for Kindergarten,” which is ideal for parents of children ages 3 to 6 and will feature a panel of kindergarten teachers and a Q&A session; “Addressing School Concerns,” which is perfect for parents of kindergarteners through eighth graders and will cover when to address a teacher, principal or District leader; and “Setting High Student Expectations,” which is meant for parents of kindergarteners through fifth graders and will teach parents skills to help their children thrive in college, their careers, and life.
A group of parents helped Hamm and the others come up with the topics that will be covered during the Summit. For example, she said many expressed a desire to learn more about the Common Core Standards.
After gathering for dinner at 4:45 p.m. in the school’s Multipurpose Room, Hamm said Dr. David Schauer, Kyrene School District Superintendent, will welcome the parents at 6 p.m. The first class will start at 6:15 p.m. and the second at 7:20 p.m. Parents who are short on time can attend just one of the classes, Hamm said.
“I really think that being a parent can be hard. It’s not an easy thing that we do, and there’s no training manual,” Hamm said.
“The Kyrene Parent Summit will include a lot of great information, and it’s a way for parents to learn more about relating to their kids—whether it is developmentally-related, socially-related or community-related.”
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