Parents who want to learn more about their child's education, the school district, and how to be an effective advocate, can tune in to an all-day workshop Saturday, organized by the Prince George District Parent Advisory Council.
"The event itself is dedicated to parents," said council president Sarah Holland. "So we have a variety of different topics for all sorts of interests. There is a particular track that's for PAC volunteers, but there's also sessions on social media and child development, anxiety, inclusion and inclusivity in the schools, what the school district is doing with aboriginal education - that's of interest for all parents."
Holland highlighted keynote speaker Vanessa Lapointe, a registered psychologist who will tackle talks entitled Happy Kids and Angry Birds and Supporting Children with Executive Function Challenges.
Mental health will also be discussed by the FORCE Society for Kids Mental Health. Holland is also excited about a workshop named How (Not) to be Effective in Advocating for Children in the School Setting.
"It's a joking way to say there are some ways that work and some ways that don't work as well to be effective," Holland explained. "Our goal is to be effective in advocating for the kids, here's some techniques that can work."
Most important, Holland hopes parents walk away with tools they can use.
"First and foremost I hope that they feel they've spent the day well. We understand it's a day that you're taking on your weekend," Holland said. "Your kids aren't going to be there but you're still doing it to develop your effectiveness as a parent and to learn things that you can put into action with your kids."
That's perhaps why the event is named Parents as Partners: School Involvement Matters.
Parents have registered for Saturdays workshop from Terrace, Stewart, Fort St. John, Quesnel, Burns Lake, 100 Mile House, Lac La Hache, among others.
"Where else do parents from Lac La Hache get to talk with parents from Lac de Bois?" Holland asked.
The conference starts at 8:30 a.m. and runs through 5 p.m. at the Civic Centre. Tickets are $30 each and lunch is included.
