7 Aug 2003
Parent Academies, TV Shows in English, Spanish to Keep Parents Informed
DALLAS–Getting information out to DISD parents and getting them involved in supporting their children's education is the focus of a parent information television show, a series of parent workshops, a monthly television show devoted to campus news, and a college and career fair.
• Parent Academies
The district will repeat last year's offering of parent academies, a series of workshops held across the district to offer parents information about DISD's educational programs, services and resources. Attendance requirements and truancy reduction, discipline management and teaching parents how to help their children experience academic success in school are among the topics discussed at the parent gatherings. The first of the workshops will be offered at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at Samuell High School for schools in Area 1 serving communities in southeast Dallas and Area 8 serving communities in north, northeast and southeast Dallas. Other academies are to follow, for Areas 4 and 6 schools on Nov. 1, Areas 2 and 5 schools on Dec. 6 and Areas 3 and 7 schools on Feb. 28. Times and locations are pending.
• School Zone Dallas
Parents and students can stay abreast of campus news by tuning into School Zone Dallas, the monthly district-produced television show featuring DISD students as anchors and reporters. As it did last year, the award-winning show will air monthly on KERA-2. The first airing is planned for early October.
• Parent Information Show
Just in time for back to school, KUVN-TV Channel 23 will air a 30-minute DISD-produced television program in Spanish. Todo Sobre las Escuelas de Sus Hijos (All About Your Child's School) features a variety of information for parents about DISD programs and services. The program will walk parents through the process of enrolling children in preschool programs and explore ways parents can support students from elementary to high school graduation. Topics include immunization requirements, testing, transportation, parent involvement, transfers, academic plans, school counselors and the role of parents in a student's academic success.
The Channel 23 airing is set for 9:30 a.m Saturday, Aug. 9, and 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. An English version of the same program will air on KERA-TV Channel 2 on Sunday, Aug. 10, at 6 p.m. followed by the Spanish version at 6:30 p.m.
Copies of the broadcast will be distributed to all campuses.
• DISD, CAAPCO Career Forum and College Fair <\b>
On Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., DISD and the Coalition of African American Professional and Community Organizations will sponsor a Career Forum and College Fair for parents and students seeking information on careers and higher education.
The event, to be held at the Dallas Convention Center, will feature representatives from colleges across the country discussing financial aid, admission requirements and things to consider in choosing a college. Professionals from a variety of careers will present information and talk with students and parents about how they chose their careers, how students can make good career choices and the requirements for various careers. The event is free of charge and information and registration materials are available from all DISD middle and high school counselors.