Seminar planned for WCPS parents
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on October 12, 2014 1:50 AM
Wayne County Public Schools will host its 18th annual districtwide parent seminar this week, featuring one of the original "Freedom Writers" as keynote speaker.
The Title I program will hold "Empowering Parents for Student Success" on Thursday at 9 a.m. at H.V. Brown Center on Poplar Street.
In addition to several presenters providing workshops, Manny Scott, motivational speaker, will kick off the program.
Scott's father was incarcerated and a friend was brutally murdered. He was a high school dropout when a stranger motivated him to return to school.
He wound up in the back of Erin Gruwell's English class, depicted in the 2007 movie, "Freedom Writers," starring Hillary Swank.
Scott was among 150 at-risk students in that class, all of whom graduated, and the majority went on to college. The film was inspired by the book, "The Freedom Writers Diaries," a compilation of journal entries written by Ms. Gruwell and her students.
Among the other topics that will be discussed during the parenting seminar are identifying how to make the best academic decisions for children; new after school programs engaging minds of the youths; teaching babies and young children to talk and to read; assisting Wayne County adults with the skills they need to become parents, homeowners, family managers and empowered individuals; creating a budget to save money; and ways to reduce the stress of math homework.
Tomekia Hutchkins, WCPS Title I parent facilitator, said the seminar is valuable for parents, ultimately their child's first and most important teacher.
"This event is held annually to provide our parents and guardians an opportunity to participate in valuable training sessions led by educational experts," she said. "All of our presenters will share with parents a myriad of ideas and strategies that can assist them in helping their child be successful in school."
Transportation, child care and translator services will be provided for those who need it. Those interested in attending are asked to contact Ms. Hutchins by Oct. 13 at 919-736-5073.