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Post a commentAfter-school lessons for parents at Mount Laurel S.D.’s Parent University
Parents of students enrolled at Mount Laurel Schools will head back into the classroom for Parent University this fall.
The district will host a series of workshops for parents on subjects such as drug use, motivation, social networking and educational research.
The series, titled “Parent University,” is in its sixth year.
The program is funded by a state-run and county-organized initiative called the Mount Laurel Municipal Alliance. The district is a part of this alliance, from which it receives funds for the workshop sessions.
The sessions, taking place now, will extend into the spring and are free and intended for adults.
John Kriger, a licensed drug-and-alcohol counselor and president of Kriger Consulting, offers his programs to community groups and frequently speaks to groups in the Burlington County area.
His Nov. 11 session will be the second year he has worked with Mount Laurel Schools through Parent University.
Kriger encourages parents to have proactive conversations about healthy behavior with their children and teens while doing fun activities.
“I try to get the parents more aware of information that the kids already know. It focuses on what we think is important for them to understand and what warning signs to look for in the home and at school,” Kriger said.
Kriger will present a Parent University session on current trends in drug use in the Harrington Middle School library at 7 p.m. The session will focus on drugs and substances that children and teens can access in the home or purchase at local convenience stores.
“For young parents, it is important to identify these things early on, so they can talk to their children beforehand,” Kriger said.
A Parent University session led by Kriger focusing on motivating students’ minds, will be held in the Harrington Middle School library Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. The session will show parents ways to encourage their children to reach their goals and full potential. Kriger will focus on skills to help students increase their ability to retain information while studying, and ways parents can create an atmosphere of learning in the home.
“Sometimes parents don’t realize that chaos in the home can be very damaging. A home that is nurturing and supportive that provides guidance, role models and consistent behavior is extremely valuable,” he said.
In the past, the district held Parent University sessions on social networking sites and through drug-and-alcohol prevention and educational programs. The program is an effort by Mount Laurel Schools to form a partnership with district parents.
Director of communication services for Mount Laurel Schools Marie Reynolds said the concept for Parent University arose as the district began a new math program a few years ago and parents wanted to find out more information on how to help students with their homework assignments.
The program eventually grew to address a broader topic base for parents. About 20 parents attended last year’s drug and alcohol presentation.
“It was very eye-opening. He truly came in with about three tables of household items,” Reynolds said, recalling Kriger’s surprising presentation of the kinds of everyday items that can be abused as a drug and that are readily accessible to teens.
Reynolds expects a greater response to the program this year based on last year’s parent reaction to Kriger’s presentation and is pleased to offer the opportunity.
“It’s important to have a partnership with parents to help them understand what we are doing and to understand what they are feeling. It is our job to make sure they are feeling equipped to help their young students,” she said.
For more information, go to www.mtlaurelschools.org.
The district will host a series of workshops for parents on subjects such as drug use, motivation, social networking and educational research.
The series, titled “Parent University,” is in its sixth year.
The program is funded by a state-run and county-organized initiative called the Mount Laurel Municipal Alliance. The district is a part of this alliance, from which it receives funds for the workshop sessions.
The sessions, taking place now, will extend into the spring and are free and intended for adults.
John Kriger, a licensed drug-and-alcohol counselor and president of Kriger Consulting, offers his programs to community groups and frequently speaks to groups in the Burlington County area.
His Nov. 11 session will be the second year he has worked with Mount Laurel Schools through Parent University.
Kriger encourages parents to have proactive conversations about healthy behavior with their children and teens while doing fun activities.
“I try to get the parents more aware of information that the kids already know. It focuses on what we think is important for them to understand and what warning signs to look for in the home and at school,” Kriger said.
Kriger will present a Parent University session on current trends in drug use in the Harrington Middle School library at 7 p.m. The session will focus on drugs and substances that children and teens can access in the home or purchase at local convenience stores.
“For young parents, it is important to identify these things early on, so they can talk to their children beforehand,” Kriger said.
A Parent University session led by Kriger focusing on motivating students’ minds, will be held in the Harrington Middle School library Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. The session will show parents ways to encourage their children to reach their goals and full potential. Kriger will focus on skills to help students increase their ability to retain information while studying, and ways parents can create an atmosphere of learning in the home.
“Sometimes parents don’t realize that chaos in the home can be very damaging. A home that is nurturing and supportive that provides guidance, role models and consistent behavior is extremely valuable,” he said.
In the past, the district held Parent University sessions on social networking sites and through drug-and-alcohol prevention and educational programs. The program is an effort by Mount Laurel Schools to form a partnership with district parents.
Director of communication services for Mount Laurel Schools Marie Reynolds said the concept for Parent University arose as the district began a new math program a few years ago and parents wanted to find out more information on how to help students with their homework assignments.
The program eventually grew to address a broader topic base for parents. About 20 parents attended last year’s drug and alcohol presentation.
“It was very eye-opening. He truly came in with about three tables of household items,” Reynolds said, recalling Kriger’s surprising presentation of the kinds of everyday items that can be abused as a drug and that are readily accessible to teens.
Reynolds expects a greater response to the program this year based on last year’s parent reaction to Kriger’s presentation and is pleased to offer the opportunity.
“It’s important to have a partnership with parents to help them understand what we are doing and to understand what they are feeling. It is our job to make sure they are feeling equipped to help their young students,” she said.
For more information, go to www.mtlaurelschools.org.
