February 29, 2008: Signature Lecture "Releasing the Natural Scientist in Every Child With Fun and Engaging Activities" by Rubi Fregoso, assistant producer of "A Place of Our Own (and Los Ninos en Su Casa"), was showcased at The Parent Academy's Leap into Discovery Family Learning Event at the Miami Science Museum. Children created three-dimensional Habitat Maps, and every family received a copy of the children's book Me on the Map.

Habitat Map

Arts and Crafts Room

Families journeyed through the Dinosaurs of China exhibit, the Rusty Rocket Planetarium Show, and visited the engaging learning stations throughout the museum - stopping along the way to pose for photos with Alphabet Pig and Whyatt, characters from the PBS early literacy program Super Why.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Super Why

A Community Resource Fair was hosted and "A Place of Our Own" distributed science cards that included activities for families to do at home that will cultivate the innate curiosity children have about the natural world. Upon leaving, families were treated to refreshing fruit smoothies. Sponsors for this event included BP WPBT Channel 2 KidVision and "A Place of Our Own."

Reaching the Haitian Community through Radio and Television

The Parent Academy has appeared on Bonjour Miami and has a bi-monthly slot on Koze Fanm, a Haitian radio talk show on Mega 1020 AM that reaches out to Creole speaking listeners in South Florida. Callers actively participate in the live talk radio show which covers a broad range of topics. The eight module "PASSport to Success" series was recently presented on air.

The Parent Academy Receives Award from

Dade Community Foundation's

2008 Community Grants Program

The Parent Empowerment Strategies Series, an alternative to suspension program that guides parents and their children through two extended problem solving workshops, has earned an $8,000 grant award from the Dade Community Foundation. The program focuses on communication skills, anger management and responsible decision making to help transform negative behaviors rather than punish them. As an alternative to outdoor suspension, students from elementary, middle and secondary schools attend workshops with their parents.

Here is a sampling of parental feedback:

How will you use what you learned to help your child? "Talk to them so they can learn how to think first before reacting." December 20, 2007.

Southwest Miami Senior High What did you learn at this Parent Academy activity? "I learned that for every problem there are many solutions, be wise to choose the best one." December 19, 2007.

Parent Outreach

Meaningful Parent Outreach

Helps Empower

Parents

Family Learning Event Workshop

Held at the Miami Children's Museum

January 2008

Catch the Vanaver Caravan

and Other Exciting

Cultural Experiences !

Vanaver Caravan

"Pastures of Plenty," a tribute to Woody Guthrie in Dance & Music, was presented by the Vanaver Caravan as part of the St. Martha-Yamaha Concert Series . Families tapped their toes, sang along, and went on stage after the concert to meet the cast. Bringing the most beautiful music to everyone in South Florida is the goal of the concert series. Please visit The Parent Academy's website and click on the "Upcoming Events" link to find out about family learning opportunities.

Fun and Fit as a Family

Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented 2500 free tickets to The Parent Academy for families to celebrate healthy living February 23-24 at their Fun and Fit

as a Family event.

. Fun and Fit as a Family Registration

Amidst the beauty of Jungle Island, families strolled the Sustainable Food Garden filled with native fruits and vegetables, watched celebrity chefs live on stage, learned how to make easy meals that are good for the heart, sampled new delicious products, and participated in

yoga, pilates and zumba workshops.

Making Sushi with Rachel Ray

Pulling Pizza

Pulling Pasta with Jamie Oliver

Making Banana Sushi with Rachael Ray

"Donuts with Dads!"

Fresh Ideas on the Go

Over 110 dads of students from Coral Park Elementary School feasted on donuts and read to their children during the school's "Donuts with Dads!" session. The Coral Park PTA brought the donuts and The Parent Academy donated free books for each family. Dads read with their children, and a teacher provided tips on how dads can motivate their children to read at home. Many said that this was their first time participating in an event designed especially for them, and that they appreciated this chance to spend quality time at school with their children.