FALL 2015 COURSE CATALOG

ASHEVILLE CITY SCHOOLS85 Mountain Street | Asheville NC 28801

828-350-6162 | www.bit.ly/acsparentu

Free sessions and workshops for families!

October - December

Need Preschool Help? The YMCA is here.

What? a facilitator leads caregivers in preparing kids for kindergarten

Where? ymca room at Hall Fletcher elementary school, off Haywood Road When? Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 to 11am during the traditional school year

Includes Spanish language support and snacks!Cost: Free! No registration required. Just show up!

CONTACT USMarta Alcala-Williams (Parent Engagement): marta.alcala-williams@acsgmail.net Stephanie Rogers (VISTA Parent Engagement Coordinator): stephanie.rogers@acsgmail.net

ACSParentU

@ACSParentU

@AshevilleCitySchools

Marta Alcala-Williams (Parent Engagement): 828-350-6162 Stephanie Rogers (VISTA Parent Engagement Coordinator): 828-350-6117

Please check our website for updated dates, times, and locations at www.bit.ly/acsparentu

SO, WHAT IS PARENT U ANYWAY? You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

WHAT IS PARENT U? Parent U is a community collaboration led by Asheville City Schools to assist and empower parents, schools, and commu-nity partners in engaging our children’s learning and development.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PARENT U?Parent U equips parents and guardians with resources that support their children’s success in school and life.

WHAT TYPES OF SESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE?Parent U offers three categories of sessions, which can take place either individually or part of a cluster. • Academic Support: these offerings will provide parents information about how to support their child’s academic opportunities and challenges • Health and Wellness: these offerings will support information and activities to help families build a healthy lifestyle • Social Issues: these offerings will focus on topics to assist parents and guardians in supporting their child throughout their developmental years.

WHAT IS A CLUSTER? A cluster is an event that includes all three types of sessions that takes place at one location at one time. You may pick one to attend.

HOW DO I SIGN UP? For most sessions and clusters, registration is not required. We operate on an open-door policy, as all parents are welcome. If a session does happen to require registration, it will be noted.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ME?Parent U is free to any parent and guardian as well as the greater Asheville community.

WHAT IF I WANT A SESSION IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE?With three days notice, we can provide a Spanish interpreter at any session.

CATALOG KEYYellow Shading = Cluster Group = Social

* = Registration Required = Academic = Health

Early Childhood DevelopmentAsheville City SchoolsMaybe you went to ACS events like the Call to Action or meetings at your school, and heard phrases like the North Star Model, but have no idea what they mean. In this session, Asheville City Schools will look at current programs and efforts that support our youngest learners as well as discuss future efforts to continue and expand based on community input and insights. Raising Resilient ChildrenTriple PWe all face challenges in our lives and, as much as we would like to prevent it, our children will too. This workshop is designed for parents of infants-5th graders to better understand how to help children deal with life stress and handle their feelings.FEAST: What’s It All About? FEASTCome get familiar with what FEAST does in your children’s schools. We’ll provide the fresh, local food and help you cook a delicious, healthy meal. Date Location Time 10/8/15 Asheville Preschool 6-7:15

Community Resilience Training ModelBuncombe County Health and Human ServicesThe Community Resilience Training Model trains parents and community members to help themselves and others within their wider social network. Participants will learn 6 easy skills that can be used to reset, find balance, and take care of themselves to become more resilient.Date Location Time 10/13/15 Hillcrest Resource Center 6-7:15

Dealing With DisobedienceTriple P ParentingThis discussion group will give some positive parenting suggestions to help you teach your child how to accept limits, do as they are told, and to understand the meaning of the word “no.”Date Location Time 10/15/15 Hall Fletcher Elementary 5:30-7:30

Parenting in the Digital Age Our VoiceUnsure what things like cyberbullying and sexting are, or how to deal with them? Learn more about tools to help your children to use social media responsibly.AVID 101 Asheville City Schools & UNC AshevilleCome learn about how AVID (Advancement Via

Individual Determination) in higher education can help support your student’s academic skills, critical thinking, and academic behaviors like organization, time management and goal setting.Exercise Made Fun!Complete NutritionGet movin’ and groovin’ and shakin’ with us and learn how a healthy lifestyle can positively impact you today.Date Location Time 10/20/15 Asheville Middle 6:00-7:15

Raising Children Who ListenTriple P Although harsh discipline can seem like the answer at times, Triple P teaches parenting strategies of positive reinforcement and good teaching, in the hopes that both parent and child can be happy and healthy.Date Location Time 10/21/15 Jones Elementary School 6-7:30

Raising A Money Smart ChildOn TrackWant to teach your child about money, but unsure of where to start? This class will show easy to implement strategies to teach your child valuable lessons about money, from age 3 to age 18.Date Location Time 10/29/15 50 South French Broad Ave 12:00-1:30

Classrooms TodayAsheville City Schools FoundationThis session gives parents an inside look into an elementary classroom using the Daily 5 structure. Parents will be participants with their child to experience all 5 literacy and writing components in a classroom setting. Handouts will include ways to support literacy outside of the classroom setting. Vision TherapyOptix Eye CareIs your sight 20/20? Even if it is, you may still have significant problems with your vision system. At this workshop, Optix Eye Care wants to help participants learn about holistic eye health, especially in regards to helping children perform their best in school.Going To College For Adults College Foundation of North CarolinaWould you like to complete or begin your college education? Come to learn about choosing a college and receiving financial aid. Geared towards adults. Date Location Time 10/29/15 Hall Fletcher Elementary School 6-7:15

OCTOBER

Math TodayAsheville City SchoolsThis workshop gives parents an inside look into a math classroom, and provide activities to help parents experience math for themselves. Rigorous standards, game based learning, and formative assessment will be highlighted. Hassle Free ShoppingTriple P This discussion group gives positive parenting suggestions to help you avoid shopping hassles and teach your child to behave responsibly on shopping trips. You will discuss common shopping hassles, things that influence children’s behavior, and some of the “traps” parents often fall into when shopping.You’ll also develop a personal shopping plan to reduce the chances for hassles and learn strategies to manage misbehavior if it happens. Starts early at 5:30.Healthy EatingWhole Foods Tired of all these crazy fad diets? Get back to the basics of good, healthy eating, and learn how to find great deals at Whole Foods Market too!Date Location Time 11/3/15 Claxton Elementary School 6:00-7:15

College Readiness: The Juntos MethodUNC AshevilleAre you a Latino/Latina parent with a child in high school? In this workshop, you will gain the knowledge necessary to make higher education an attainable goal for your child. Stay tuned for more JUNTOS soon!Date Location Time 11/4/15 Asheville High School 6:00-7:15

Understanding the Affordable Care Act Pisgah Legal ServicesThe Affordable Care Act can work for you, but only if you have all the facts. Come learn what you qualify for, what your options are, and how to choose what’s best for your family.Date Location Time 11/5/15 Wesley Grant Center 6:00-7:15

Darkness To Light Training Smoky Mountain LME/MCOIt can be hard to know how to recognize and react to child abuse. This workshop is designed to broach the difficult subject and create a meaningful discussion around the prevalence and the consequences of abuse in our society.Date Location Time 11/10/15 Vance Elementary School 6:00-7:15

ALNUGE: What Is It? ALNUGE, LLC.ALNUGE [al-nethat offers fun an engaw-gee] stands for ALphabets, NUmbers, GEometrics. ALNUGE is a visual language that strengthens brain power and improves critical thinking skills. Come play games, we’ll bring the prizes!Basics of Equity and InclusionAsheville Buncombe Community Relations CouncilThe law guarantees us quite a bit, but it can be even harder to make sure you get what you legally deserve. This workshop will give you tools to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are maintained in our community, and provide you with a list of resources of agencies in Asheville-Buncombe who support this. Happy Hearts & CPR TrainingMission HeartNC survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest is 8%. With CPR knowledge, the chance of survival is increased 32%! Be prepared! Come check out how to prevent heart disease and find the steps you’ll need to take action in a cardiac emergency. By the end of the workshop, you will be CPR certified. Date Location Time 11/12/15 Asheville Middle School 6:00-7:15

Understanding MCLASS Scores Asheville City Schools What do these MCLASS scores mean? This workshop is designed to help parents understand how to interpret their child’s McClass scores and to provide parents with hands-on activities to improve their child’s literacy skills.Date Location Time 11/17/15 Hall Fletcher Elementary School 6:00-7:15

NOVEMBER

Childhood Creativity*UNC AshevilleVisual arts are vitally important to a child’s develop-ment. This workshop is designed to help connect creative skills to academic skills to improve learning. Come ready to roll up your sleeves and get creative. Raising Children Who Listen*Triple PAlthough harsh discipline can seem like the answer at times, Triple P teaches parenting strategies of positive reinforcement and good teaching, in the hopes that both parent and child can be happy and healthy. Starts early at 5:30.Blue Light and Its EffectsOptix Eye CareStudies on blue light are everywhere, but they can be difficult to understand. In this workshop, two doctors from Optix Eye Care will give you the bottom line on what blue light is, how it affects our health, and what you and your family can do to lessen these effects.Date Location Time 11/19/15 Isaac Dickson Elementary School 6:00-7:15

Youth Mental Health Awareness Day: It’s Okay to Ask for HelpSmoky Mountain LMEDesigned to teach skills to caregivers for ages 13-18+, this workshop presents the health challenges that many young people face around adolescence, and strives to offer solutions to these challenges.Date Location Time 12/3/15 YWCA 6:00-7:15

Opportunities for High School SeniorsAB TechWant your child to earn tuition-free credit while still enrolled in high school? Come to this session to learn about programs that will not only save students time and money, but also improve their chances of successfully completing a college credential and having a prosperous future.NCAA RecruitmentUNC Asheville AthleticsAthetic staff members from UNC Asheville will provide information for parents of students who want to continue their athletic careers after high school.

African Dance ClassLEAF Schools and StreetsLearn authentic West African Dance using live drummers. You will learn basic movements, phrases, and choreography true to the West African tradition. Dancers and drummers will be invited to perform in community performances and at the LEAF Festival.Date Location Time 12/8/15 Asheville High School 6:00-7:15

Dealing With Disobedience* Triple PThis discussion group will give some positive parenting suggestions to help you teach your child how to accept limits, do as they are told, and to understand the meaning of the word “no.”Date Location Time 12/10/15 Vance Elementary School 5:30-7:30

DECEMBER

Need transportationor childcare? Don’t worry, it’s free!Call 828-350-6117 at least 3 days in advance and we will cover it.

African DanceLEAF Schools and StreetsLet West African Dance experts teach you drumming and choreography! Dancing is a great way to improve your cardivascular health and create a healthier lifestyle! Some drummers and dancers may even be invited to perform in the larger Asheville community and at the LEAF festival. Ends December 15.Date Location Time Tuesdays Asheville High School 6:00-7:00 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class at Asheville Middle School*Buncombe County Literacy CouncilVolunteer instructors trained by the Literacy Council to teach life skills-based English classes for adult En-glish learners. Learners practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English in the context of everyday life skills. Date Location Time Every Tuesday Asheville Middle School 6:00-8:00 starting 9/15ESOL Classes at Jones Elementary*Buncombe County Literacy CouncilVolunteer instructors trained by the Literacy Council to teach life skills-based English classes for adult English learners. Learners practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English in the context of everyday life skills. Date Location Time Every Wednesday Jones Elementary School 6:00-8:00 starting 9/16GED Tutoring*AB Tech We’ll give you the tools you need to pass your GED with flying colors. Call Terrie Williams at 828-239-3559 to register.Date Location Time Every T/TH PVA Resource Center 12:30-2:30Playing For SuccessYMCABy kindergarten, children already face disparities. In this weekly event, a facilitator will leave caregivers in preparing children for kindergarten. Date Location Time T/TH Hall Fletcher Elementary School 9-11 AM

Motheread at Hillcrest

Asheville City SchoolsAttend this nationally accredited program that combines literacy skills with child development, adult growth, and professional skill development. Adults and children will use the power of language to discover more about themselves, their families, and their communities. Date Location Time Wednesdays Resource Center, Apt 17A 10-12 Motheread and M.A.N.O.S.*Children First CIS and Warren Wilson CollegeMotheread at Emma United Methodist combines literacy with child development, adult growth, and professional skill development. Adults and children will use the power of language to discover more about themselves, their families, and their communities. M.A.N.O.S. takes place concurrently. M.A.N.O.S. serves Latino students from 8th to 12 grade. On Mondays, Latino students get assistance with their homework, leadership development, and college- readiness. Childcare is provided and previous regis-tration required. For both M.A.N.O.S. and Motheread, spaces are limited and registration is required. Please call Norma Duran Brown at 828-252-4810.Date Location Time Monday nights Emma United Methodist Church 6-8

RECURRING WORKSHOPS

Psst! Can’t make it to a

session but still want the

scoop? Some of our

presenters’ materials

are available online!

www.bit.ly/acsparentu

Circle of Parents* FIRSTCircle of Parents provides a friendly, supportive environment led by parents and other caregivers. It is place where anyone in a parenting role can openly discuss the successes and challenges of raising children and where parents and caregivers can find and share support. Both dinner and childcare are provided. Call Tamiko Ambrose Murray at 828-318-6310 to register.Date Location Time Wednesdays Burton St 6:00-7:00 Community Center

From studying and getting the grades to completing applications and finding scholarships, applying to college can be a a little more than a handful! MAHEC offers student

workshops on how to study, college scholarships, planning for college, and figuring out how to pay for it all. Don't stay in the dark. MAHEC

is here to help.

Confused About College?check out the workshops for students

from our partners at MAHEC.

For workshop schedule & more information.. . .Jacquelyn Hallum, MBA, MHA 828-257-4479 or jacquelyn.hallum@mahec.org

But wait! There’s more!Flip the page to see our list of incredible partners

that help make our programs possible.

WE’D LIKE YOU TO MEET OUR PARTNERS.we think they’re pretty incredible.

A big

to our first partner, UNC Asheville!

We couldn’t have done it without you! UNC Asheville was Parent U’s first official

partner in 2014 and has played a huge part in making Parent U what it is today!

We cannot thank them enough for their continual support for public education.