Unlock the power of service at our informative workshop! Discover how engaging your child in service not only cultivates empathy and leadership skills but also strengthens family connections. Learn how these acts of kindness ripple outward, creating a positive impact on the broader community, fostering a sense of belonging, and inspiring a brighter future for all. You will also learn how AACPS students earn the required service hours and how they can grow by going above and beyond with distinguished service hours.

Lori Fowler, Manager of Service Learning
Eman Zia and Linda Gessesse, Student Service Leadership Team Members

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Do you have goals, interests, and aspirations waiting to come true for you and your family? Vision boards are a visual reminder that with hard work your goals, interests, and aspirations can come to life! Participants will learn the "why," or research, behind vision boards and create a vision board.

Cherryll Clacks, Triple E STEM Resource Teacher/Equity Liaison

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Empathy is the ability to take the perspective of another.  It helps us recognize emotion in others and respond appropriately.  Empathy also fosters positive relationships. In this session, families will reflect on a variety of situations requiring empathy in order to practice & promote the use of empathy with their children and the community.

Raven Harris, Assistant Principal, Meade Middle School
Tiara Colbert, Assistant Principal, North County High School
Cecilia Curry, Triple E Teacher, Rolling Knolls Elementary School
Robin Yun, Assistant Principal, Rippling Woods Elementary School

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Example Scenarios

Identity Wheel

Discover the world of Career and Technical Education within AACPS. Learn about the different programs offered in middle and high school and the value they bring to your student. Learn about practical strategies and resources for fostering meaningful conversations around post-high school life for your student. Join us as we explore the role parents play in shaping their children's career aspirations and ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of the job market.

Ryan Sackett, Coordinator, Career & Technical Education
Tammy Diedrich, Career & Technical Education Program Manager 

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It is said that “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” This session will explore ways to incorporate read aloud into your family’s routine as a way to support the current research commonly referred to as the Science of Reading. We will look closely at Scarborough’s Reading Rope to see how read alouds support components of the Language Comprehension strand.  

Elizabeth McGuire, Teacher Specialist, Office of Elementary Reading and Integrated Literacy

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Planning, organizing, prioritizing, and time management do not come easily for many of us, yet they are important skills for academic success. While some children excel with these skills, others need explicit instruction, support, and strategies. This session will explain how executive functions affect school achievement and how to help students at home who find these skills challenging.

Leslie Eget, D.Ed., Director of Program Supports, The Summit School
Genevieve White, Ed.S, School Psychologist, The Summit School

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Examine the sequence of mathematics skills students should master from elementary through middle and into their high school years. Learn tips on how to help support the development of those skills.

John Halmi, Teacher Specialist, High School Math

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Have you ever wondered what Science has to say about the impact that excessive use of technology has on human behavior?  Contemplated novel ways to convince your children, partners or friends to put down their devices and engage in a face-to face conversation?  Participants will review facts from current research about the impact of technology addiction on human behavior; engage in a discussion about new ideas for encouraging communication without electronic devices; and discuss the value of establishing boundaries around the use of technology that support human and academic growth.

Bobbi Pedrick, Former Director of Special Education, AACPS

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Videos were removed from the presentation due to size. Please find the videos used in the presentation below:

Too Much Technology

What to do with kids addiction to devices

Internet Addiction Disorder Affecting Toddlers

Simon Sinek - They don’t know how to have deep meaningful relationships

The Millenial Question

What happens when you give your kids unlimited screen time

Our brains are the “control center” for our thoughts, behaviors, emotions… everything!  With that in mind, participants will discuss the unique qualities of the ADHD brain and practice specific tools we can use with children to promote positive interactions and success.

Angie Fox-Antoniak, LCSW-C, AACPS School Social Worker 

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Our session will explore procedural fluency in mathematics to understand which strategies best support our students and learn how we can help them at home.

Jessica Hursh, Teacher, Severn Elementary 
Etienne Saunders, Teacher, Hebron-Harman Elementary
Kara O'Rourke, Teacher, Four Seasons Elementary

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How can I help my child at home?

This workshop will teach parents how to help their children cope with worries and concerns using simple, effective strategies. Presenters will discuss a holistic approach to decreasing stress during early childhood, tweens, and adolescence. Parents, educators, grandparents, and individuals/professionals working with children are all welcome to attend.

Erin Merli, CPNP, PMHS, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Department, Annapolis Pediatrics

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This session will provide information about language development for multilingual families with English learners. Families will discuss and share strategies for preserving their home language and understand how to support their students’ communication skills in any language. Highlights include academic vocabulary, asking and answering questions, story telling, and using translation tools at home.

Leanne Riordan, Coordinator of English Language Development

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20 Ways you can help your children succeed at school

20 Maneras en que puede ayudar a su hijo a triunfar en la escuela

Do you have a child who is gifted? Who are gifted children and how are they identified in AACPS? The gifted child is still a child, regardless of their talent. Gifted children need to run, laugh, play, and daydream just as other children do. Nevertheless, raising a gifted child presents its own challenges. This session will share resources families can use to bridge support between home and school.

Michele DiGiulian, Coordinator of Advanced Learning, PreK-12

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Do you have a child who is gifted? Who are gifted children and how are they identified in AACPS? As gifted children transition into their adolescent years, they need the same social experiences as other students their age; however, gifted adolescents often struggle with the fact that they are intellectually different than their peers. This session will share resources families can use to bridge support between home and school and provide information to help you guide your gifted child through their adolescent years.

Amy Goodman, Advanced Learner Programs Resource Teacher, Grades 6-12

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Join us for a road map of the college process from beginning to end. When should you begin? What questions should you ask your student before you begin? When should you have “the talk”? This session will give an overview of the process and where does the parent stand in the process? Topics will include when to start looking, how to plan a visit, and when should a child start to apply.  Along with resources for parents and students to use along the way.

Kathy Richburg, IB School Guidance Counselor, Annapolis High School

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Substance Misuse Disorder is a complex condition affecting many young people. Learn what substance misuse disorder is, the leading risk factors, and how it is impacting our youth. Walk away with mental wellness and coping strategies, as well as treatment options and resources.

Katie Wargo, Coalition Coordinator, Program Director, Northern Lights Against Substance Misuse
Denise Williams, Outreach Coordinator, Program Researcher, Northern Lights Against Substance Misuse

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With part-time work, allowance, gifts, and more, teens often struggle with managing money. Learn how to help your teen spend and save appropriately, both with traditional banking and virtual tools.

Sundae Subotich, Family and Consumer Science Lead, Meade Middle School 

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Participants will gain insights from David Walsh’s book, Why Do They Act that Way: A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen.  We will investigate why adolescents act the way they do and what the adults who love them can do about it.  The session will include a look at realistic scenarios and how to constructively react to these challenges.  Strategies will be shared to assist adults to help children learn impulse control, behavior management and brain development.  

Kellie Goforth, AVID Site Coordinator North County High School
Dimitri Noplos, Science Department Chair North County High School

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