We are encouraged that The Parent Academy is impacting family members from every background and from every corner of our community with best practices to empower parents to become champions of their children's education. "The more families support their children's learning and educational progress, the more their children tend to do well in school and continue their education" (Henderson & Mapp, 2002).

Thank you for your continued support.

Sandy Moise Alberto M. Carvalho

Dean Associate Superintendent

The Parent Academy M-DCPS

A Cultural Feast

The PlayGround Theatre Treats Parent Academy Families

2000 Family Members Attend Performances

Thanks to TPA's partnership with The PlayGround Theatre, Parent Academy families attended the award winning repetory company's performances to experience the magic of live theatre - many for the first time! Each play contained great educational value with rich language modeled with expertise and versatility and framed with beautiful sets and music. Researchers have discovered that children call upon emotions and memory to develop themes while a story, and all its wisdom, unfolds. Playgoers from tiny tots to proud parents expressed their enjoyment of "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Love of Three Oranges" and "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings."

Launching a Fleet of Strategies

The Parent Academy Tackles Challenges Facing Parents of Teens

Steering Middle and High School Students & Their Families

Whether it is adding a parental component to M-DCPS programs, or piloting new courses, The Parent Academy has set its sights on student success! Programs hoisted to empower parents of teenage students are: M-DCPS Learn to Swim/TPA Sailing and Kayaking Experience, a trust building adventure for families, The Prom Survival Guide for parents and teens, and a book club for teen mothers at COPE North.

A workshop series which includes Anger Management and Dealing with Negative Emotions, and Responsible Decision Making and Effective Communication Skills, has been developed for students and their parents in lieu of outdoor suspension. It is currently making a positive impact in Miami Central and Miami Edison feeder pattern schools. One parent commented, "It gave us an opportunity to come to a class which was excellent in helping us learn skills to reduce stress and make good decisions."

Duke University's Center for Child and Family Policy recently presented research findings that "Across all outcomes, time spent together is the most successful predictor in promoting positive development of adolescents" (Schneider and Jones, 2006).

Strengthening the Bond Between Parent and Child

TPA Tropical Learning Adventures

Free Entrance to Miami MetroZoo and Parrot Jungle Island to Learn and Play!

Thanks to Washington Mutual and Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation, The

Parent Academy celebrated Children's Week, a statewide advocacy campaign for children, Saturday, March 31, at Miami Metrozoo. More than 4000 family members visited the zoo's exciting attractions. A community resource fair was held to distribute health, safety, and wellness information. Every child received Animals, Animals, a tri-lingual book to take home to read and extend their learning experience at Miami Metrozoo.

On April 25, nearly 2000 family members flocked to Parrot Jungle Island to experience the tropical wildlife. FirstBank sponsored the early Wednesday evening event and presented workshops "Teaching Your Children How to Save." As the sun set on the beautiful Miami skyline, families departed with the message "It is never too early to begin saving!"

TPA Family Learning Events are held in culturally enriching venues to provide educational activities for families with children of all ages, and foster strong relationships between parents and children. "Family-strengthening interventions impact both parenting processes and child outcomes. Successful programs promote parent-child bonding..." (American Educational Research Association, 2007).

You never stop being your child's teacher.

Sandy Moise, Dean

The Parent Academy

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