Maine PIRC  Workshops

           

1) Parent Involvement:  Meeting Compliance and Building Meaningful Partnerships

Parent involvement in Title I schools is more than a good idea... it's required. This workshop is designed to help schools meet the requirements of the law AND create parent involvement programs that work. Using Section 1118 as a framework, we'll discuss how to build upon current strengths and update parent involvement policies. From federal law to local best practices, this workshop is designed to educate both parents and teachers on the possibilities of parent involvement in Title I schools. 

 

Primary Audience:     Parents, Educators, and Professionals

Length:    2 hours

 

2) The No Child Left Behind Act From A to Z:  What Parents Need to Know       

This workshop offers a "primer" on the No Child Left Behind Act and how it is changing education. We'll work together to look at the history of the law, define standards and accountability, and learn how these federal regulations impact schools and students here in Maine. Our discussion will also include up-to-date information on Maine's Learning Results and graduation requirements. From student testing to school choice, this workshop covers everything you ever wanted to know about NCLB... but were afraid to ask.

 

Primary Audience:   Parents, Educators, and Professionals

Length:   2 hours

 

3) Study Skills

One of the most important gifts parents can give their children is helping them develop positive study habits.  Good study skills can lead to success and satisfaction during the school years and good work habits later on. Because good study habits are keys to success in school, they are worth the effort on the part of students and parents. In this workshop parents learn ways to help their child develop life long skills that will benefit them throughout their school and work lives.

Primary Audience:       Parents and Guardians      

Length of time:       1.5 hour

 

4) Literacy:  Help Your Child Become a Reader for Life

While your child may learn to read in the classroom, the habits that will make him a lifelong reader happen at home.  In this workshop, participants will gain an understanding of the five essential components of reading instruction that occur at school, along with the developmental stages readers progress through from beginning reader to teenage reader.  Parents will learn how their involvement at home is critical in encouraging their children to become lifelong readers.

Primary Audience:       Parents with preschool to high school age children

Length:      2 hours

 

5) Home-School Communication – What's All the Commotion?

 

This workshop will help teachers, administrators, and school personnel to understand different approaches to home-school communication and how these shape relationships with families.

At the end of the workshop, teachers, administrators, and school personnel will:

• Be aware of different communication approaches;
• Recognize how different communication approaches can strengthen or weaken teacher-family relations;
• Have a better understanding of communication approaches under varied circumstances.

 

Primary Audience:  Teachers, administrators, and school personnel

Length:    1.5 hours

 

6) The Parent-Teacher Partnership: Preparing for Conferences

 

      

The practice of parent-teacher conferences can be intimidating for some or filled with unidentified expectations for others. Once the conference has taken place, participants may be disappointed in the results, having unanswered questions or concerns with no plan of action going forward.  As is true with anything, being prepared ahead of time can make the experience less stressful and more effective for all.  This workshop is designed to help parents and guardians make the most of parent-teacher conferences by:

Identifying questions and concerns they may have about their child's education;

• Introducing tools useful to effectively communicate those questions & concerns;
• Suggesting ways to gain & share additional insight in their child's educational experience;
• Creating a format for designing a personal action plan as a partner in their child's education.

 

Primary Audience:      Parents and Guardians

Length:    1.5 hours

 

7)  OVERVIEW OF MAINE PARENT FEDERATION

Would you like to learn more about Maine Parent Federation and the services and supports available to parents and providers? Since it was first formed in 1984, Maine Parent Federation has grown from a single project to multiple projects, and from a single office to a central office with several regional offices. The MPF Overview is a great way to keep up on everything that MPF is doing to support families in Maine and to discover ways that our staff can support you. To find out more about how our services can benefit you or your organization, call to request this presentation. (There is no charge for this presentation.)

SCHEDULING A WORKSHOP

To find out if a workshop is scheduled in a location near you, please contact the MPF office. If you would like to schedule a workshop(s) for your group or organization, we will make every effort to accommodate your request. Because the workshop schedule fills quickly, we recommend that you contact MPF at least thirty days in advance. For more information, call 1-800-870-7746 (ME) or (207) 623-2144.

WORKSHOP FEES

For parents: There is no charge for parents or parent groups.

For agencies, provider or professionals groups who request a workshop: There is a minimum $50.00 fee unless otherwise noted.

DONATIONS

As a grant-funded, statewide non-profit agency providing education, support, advocacy and training on behalf of all families with children as well as the professionals who support families, MPF welcomes donations at whatever level is affordable.

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