Parent University - Feb. 2

From District 200's website:

Free half-day seminar offers excellent resources to parents

Parents in District 200 and surrounding communities will have a unique opportunity on Saturday, February 2nd to learn successful strategies for helping their children deal with the challenges confronting today’s youth.  District 200’s third annual Parent University will be held at Woodstock North High School from 8:00 a.m. to noon on the 2nd and is open to parents of students in elementary through high school.

The half-day seminar, which is presented at no cost to participants, will feature a keynote speaker and numerous workshops on topics including Parenting in the Millennium, bullying, alcohol and drug use, ADHD, and the Kyuki-Do Martial Arts Verbal Defense Program.  All workshops are conducted by experts in their fields.  The day will also feature opportunities to network with other parents and to learn about a variety of resource agencies in the area.  Once again this year, there will also be presentations in Spanish.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Feld, will kick off the event at 9:00 a.m. with a presentation titled “Parenting in the Millennium."  Dr. Feld is a child/adolescent psychiatrist who is community psychiatrist for Alexian Brothers Behavioral Hospital, and who maintains a private practice in Northbrook, Illinois.  He is considered an expert in ADHD and has done workshops for physicians across the United States on the topic, as well as more than 500 presentations on parenting in the millennium, medication issues for children and adolescents, and ADHD.

Every participant will be able to attend two workshops of their choosing. In addition to the workshop presentations, participants will also have the opportunity to meet and talk with representatives from a variety of service agencies in the area. These include McHenry County Department of Health, Volunteer McHenry County, Rosecrance Health Network, Gateway Foundation, D.A.R.E., The Mathers Clinic, PFLAG, Jailbrakers [sic] and many others including resources within District 200 schools.

A continental breakfast will be served and free child care will be provided to those who are interested.

For more information about Parent University, contact Julie Jennett, D200 Special Services Coordinator, at (815) 337-6038 or visit the Parent University webpage. Woodstock North High School is located at 3000 Raffel Road.

Woodstock Parents - speak out

To all parents of Woodstock District 200 Schools (and any other schools):

What have you heard about improvement in safety for your children at their schools?

Anything?

Sheriff Joe Arpaio didn't wait for school boards to act. He took action and put patrols around the schools in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Your school board here in Woodstock (Ill.) didn't even meet after the Sandy Hook shooting. Did ... not ... even ... meet!

You elected men and women from the District 200 territory to be in charge. Are they? What are they doing?

The Superintendent was not at the January 8 school board meeting. I did not hear any report about safety.

In fact, I didn't hear much. I think they used to have microphones in which to mumble, but there were no microphones. The audience has to sit back of the 50-yard line, far away from the Board. If they are going to speak in low tones, the room should be seat so that the audience is within hearing distance. It was possible to see lips moving and heads nodding, and even a few words now and then.

And then the meeting was over.

Don't Kick Penguins - Oct. 20

This year's Don't Kick Penguin anti-bullying program will be held on Saturday, October 20, at McHenry County College.

See complete information here.

Parent Empowerment Call - Thurs., Oct. 4

The October Parent Empowerment Call, sponsored by IDHS, will be held on Thursday, October 4, from 12:00pm-1:00pm.

This month's topic is "Rx Assist".

Dial 800-260-0702
Participant Access Code: 228137

Darlene McGary, Family Consumer Specialist, will be the presenter this month. Calls are sponsored by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Services.





Parents are invited to dial in tollfree. Please be prompt and join at the beginning of the call.

Questions about the Parent Empowerment Calls? Call 1-618-838-9382


These calls occur monthly on the first Thursday.

Two-day workshop - Special Ed

A two-day workshop by Paula Kluth and Cindy Golden will be presented on October 16-17 in Arlington Heights. The title is "Designing Successful Inclusive and Special Education Classrooms".

Although this is scheduled in just two weeks, there might be time for parents to hit up their Special Education Departments at their kids' schools to send a couple of teachers to it. Spread the word.

Complete information can be viewed here.

The Inclusive Classroom, presented by Paula Kluth, Ph.D.
This interactive day features group activities, real-world stories, and tools you can bring back to the classroom immediately. Participants will learn practical ways of supporting students with autism spectrum labels and other disabilities within a general education classroom. The centerpiece of the presentation is Dr. Kluth’s “Top Ten Strategies List for Inclusive Classrooms” in which she addresses the need for sensory supports, visuals, active learning, “safe space,” and materials that capitalize on student strengths. Other topics addressed include defining (and redefining) autism, listening to the voices of those with autism, creating more responsive lessons, making the classroom comfortable, and providing opportunities for communication skill development. The presentation provides teachers with the necessary knowledge and strategies to understand every student as complex, as capable, and as a learner.


The Special Educator’s Toolkit, presented by Cindy Golden, Ed.D.
Based on her popular book, The Special Educator’s Toolkit, Dr. Cindy Golden, a seasoned special educator, administrator, and psychologist with almost 30 years of experience, developed this teacher-friendly toolkit and training from her popular OMAC (Organization and Management of All Classrooms) system- an innovative approach to creating effective classrooms for students with all types of disabilities. This is the ultimate guide for every special educator, from the first-year teacher setting up a new classroom to the seasoned veteran who wants a guide to current best practices. Based on researched best practice, special educators will get step-by-step, ready-to-use guidance on managing six key aspects of their daily work. Teachers will come away empowered and motivated to get and stay organized, and they’ll see the positive results year after year in their classrooms.

All About IEPs

Spectrum Support will sponsor the following evening workshop on October 12.

ALL ABOUT IEP’S

"We hope you can make it to our first FREE educational seminar on Friday, October 12th, at 6:00 pm.

"Presented by Elizabeth Hooper, MA, Elizabeth is an educational consultant and advocate. We are excited to have her come to the center for this free parent seminar.

"With a Masters in Special Education and work experience as a special education teacher and behavior intervention case manager, she knows the inside story of how to work the school system so your child gets the supports they need in the classroom.

"Come to learn about current laws, behavioral supports and to ask questions.

"We hope you all can attend. Please RSVP to tmbr@spectrumsupportllc.com, if you plan to attend."

Spectrum Support is located at 1575 West Lake Shore Drive, Woodstock. From U.S. 14, turn north at the traffic light by Culver's. Then take your first left (opposite Culver's driveway).

Family Challenge - a 2-night event

FamiliesETC and OMNI Youth Services are sponsoring a "Family Challenge" as a two-night workshop on September 18 and September 27.

The goal is to increase family communication, cooperation, learn new problem-solving skills, and build trust. Trained staff members will facilitate the activities and discussions. Dinner will be provided. There is no cost to attend.

The first night of the Family Challenge is Tuesday, September 18. It continues on Thursday, September 27. Participants are to attend both nights. The workshop hours are 5:00-9:00PM, and the program will be conducted at 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake, Ill.
One 18-year-old past participant said about the Challenge, "I’m an 18 year old son, and
this experience brought my mom and I closer together and it was really fun!"

For more information and to register, contact Teri Lindahl at tlindahl@familiesetc.org or 815.308.0861