2009 Central Nebraska Parent Involvement Conference

32nd Annual Conference
Central Nebraska
PARENT INVOLVEMENT CONFERENCE
November 7, 2009
Westridge Middle School
4111 West 13th Street
Grand Island, Nebraska
GET INVOLVED-STAY INVOLVED
This parent conference is designed to give educational information to parents about major challenges and issues facing families in today’s world.
For further information and conference registration, log on to
www.gips.org/pic
On-site registration: 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
Conference Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Early Registration for Child Care by October 30

This parent conference is developed in conjunction with No Child Left Behind and the National Coalition of ESEA Title I Parents. The conference is supported by the Nebraska Department of Education, Nebraska School Board Association, Nebraska Council of School Administrators, Nebraska Head Start, Nebraska Even Start, and Nebraska Migrant Program.

Sessions
1. Room 602 “Stress Busters for Children and Families”, Penny Gildea, Early Childhood Training Center, Omaha, All Grade Levels. Got stress? This interactive workshop will give you ideas to handle stressful situations and tips to prevent some stressful events.
2. Auditorium “Stop and Think” R.E.S.P.E.C.T.² Omaha, All Grade Levels. R.E.S.P.E.C.T.² actors present their highly interactive play “Stop and Think.” This play focuses on the identification of bullying behaviors and prevention techniques to prevent bullying. “Stop and Think” will teach parents techniques to use when teaching their child how to exercise impulse control. Parents will learn ways to teach their children how they can become empowered if they “stop and think” before they say or do.
3. Auditorium “Role Playing-Using ‘Pretend’ and Theatre to Teach Children to Live R.E.S.P.E.C.T.fully” R.E.S.P.E.C.T.² Omaha, All Grade Levels. The R.E.S.P.E.C.T.² Theatre Company shares the use of role-play as a model to teach children of all ages about healthy, respectful relationships in this highly interactive session. The importance of role-modeling; role-playing as a problem solving technique; and addressing bullying behaviors immediately, consistently, firmly, and respectfully are stressed. This training is also facilitated by child-psychologist, Dr. Patricia Newman, the Executive Director of R.E.S.P.E.C.T.2

4. Room 603 “From Your Home to on their Own-Helping Students with Disabilities Plan for the Future” Jack Shepard NDE Program Director for Transition High School, High School This presentation is for parents of high school students as they prepare to graduate from high school and prepare for work or college.

5. Room 611 “Empowering Parents to Access Service” Connie Shockley, PTI Parent Support Coordinator, All Grade Levels. Parents are the experts of their children. Sometimes they need assistance in communicating that expertise to them. This workshop focuses on communication, record keeping, and conflict resolution.
6. Room 600 “What Do I Do with this Kid” Jackie Meyer, ESU #8, All Grade Levels. Teachers and parents often feel frustrated and helpless with a child’s negative behavior. Traditional discipline has not worked. Find out possible causes of behavior. Practice simple workable techniques that do work.
7. Room 604 “The Talk” Sue Herdt, Counselor/Teacher/Mom, Minatare High School Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School, Be the No. 1 force in your children’s lives. Talk about the difficult issues…..like……sex.

8. Room 611 “Sibling Success” Les Kimmons, PTI Training and Information Specialist, All Grade Levels. Come explore family scenarios about parenting a child with disabilities and how to help brothers and sisters living in the same home. This session will give successful solutions to real life situations.
9. Room 612 “Characteristics of Healthy Families in a Family Literacy Program” Eleanor Kirkland Director Head Start State Collaboration Office, Pre K-Elementary The participants will learn about the general characteristics of healthy families. This session will discuss family literacy and how that looks in healthy child and parent interactions.
10. Room 614 “Understanding ADHD” Mary Dale Christensen, PTI Nebraska, All Grade Levels. This workshop will help parents and professionals gain a better understanding of the different types of ADHD and how the school and the home can help a child be successful.
11 -. Room 613 "New Math/Old Math" Cindy Beaman and Jeanette Parrella, Math Coaches for the Grand Island Public Schools, All Grade Levels. Learn how to practice math at home while having fun with your child. Tired of tears during homework time? Learn some tips for a successful evening.
12. Room 614 “Raising Readers” Sherri Klentz, Grand Island Public Schools Literacy Coach, Elementary, Tips for helping your child become a good reader and love to read. We'll explore how to help when your child gets stuck, how to move beyond the words to deeper understanding, web sites that promote reading, how to read to and with your child so that it is something you both look forward to, and take a look at some books kids love.
13. Room 615 "Hold on tight.....HORMONES straight ahead: Preparing your child for Middle School". Ann Greving Brown and Michelle Walker, GIPS School Social Workers. Elementary and Junior High. We invite you to journey with them as they explore adolescent brain development and emotional intelligence. They will provide you with useful facts and techniques to assist your child through their 'glory days'.
14. Room 702 “Navigating a Healthy Journey For Our Kids-Alliance for a Healthier Generation” Shannon Vogler, Alliance for a Healthier Generation. All Grade Levels. In this session, parents will gain an understanding of their role in helping their children make healthy food choices, learn ideas for healthy celebrations and rewards that replace traditional choices such as candy and other sugary snack, and learn about the Alliance website and the many resources and tools available to support healthier family choices.
15. Room 700 “Understanding and Addressing Cyberbullying” Jessica Gall, Anti-Defamation League, Omaha. All Grade Levels. Our children are learning about the internet, email and text messaging at younger and younger ages. While technology can open up exciting learning opportunities, parents need to be aware of the dangers that exist for their children. From harassing text messages to threats via email, electronic communication has taken adolescent teasing beyond the school grounds and daytime hours to a whole new level of cruelty. While the harassment may start online, it can escalate to physical violence and very real emotional distress. Please join The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Plains States Region for an overview session of our nationally-recognized initiative designed to help parents and families prevent and stop online harassment and ensure a culture of safety and respect for all children.
16. Room 703 “College Education: Making the Dream a Reality” Janice Hadfield, Doane College, Dean of Lincoln/Grand Island campuses and Masters of Management program. Jennifer Worthington, Doane College, Grand Island Campus Director. All Grade Levels. With preparation a college education is possible for all students. Learn what you can do now to help your child achieve the dream of a college degree. This presentation will include information on federal financial aid, college application, cooperative opportunities between colleges, and scholarship searches.

17. Room 704 "Be There" Brian Hale, Director of Communications, Nebraska Association of School Boards Nebraska's "Be There" Coordinator. All Grade Levels. The "Be There" Parent Involvement Campaign is designed to raise awareness among adults about the simple things they can do to connect with our communities children to make a real difference in their academic performance, and in their lives. This program is not a "silver bullet" or a curriculum, but rather a multimedia image campaign designed to make parents and other adults aware that life is full of opportunities to "Be There" for our children. At this session, participants will view and hear many of the components of the campaign and discuss local implementation strategies.