Wilmington Public Schools Offering First Parent/Guardian University

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington Public Schools has announced details of its first-ever Parent/Guardian University, a one-day event offering tools and resources for raising modern students and information about district programs.

The free event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on March 11 at Wilmington High School, located at 159 Church St. Childcare will be offered for attendees.

Katie Greer, an internet child safety expert, will deliver the keynote address, and attendees will have several different breakout sessions from which to choose. Some of the sessions are for parents/guardians with children in any grade, while others are grade specific.

Among the sessions for parents/guardians of students in any grade are: Overview of Social Emotional Learning, Normalizing Mental Health, Safe Schools for LGBTQ+ Students, and Getting Familiar with the Special Education Process.

Sessions for parents/guardians of PK-5 students, include: Overview of the Elementary Science Curriculum, Elementary Literacy: Supporting Your Child at Home, and Overview of Elementary Social Studies Curriculum.

Meanwhile, sessions for parents/guardians of students in secondary grades are: Middle School Academic Enrichment Opportunities, High School Academic and Enrichment Opportunites, and Preparing for College.

The schedule gives parents/guardians a chance to attend three 30-minute sessions.

A representative from the district said the idea for the university came from several district leaders who have participated in similar programs in other districts.

A community survey helped shape the conference's topics and themes, the representative from the district said.

"The district aims to build the capacity of our parents/guardians to be actively engaged in their children's education and to empower our parents/guardians as our partners," said Christine Elliott, Wilmington Public Schools assistant superintendent of curriculum and staff development. "The university will provide opportunities for parents/guardians to learn more about the district-wide initiatives and programs."

Registration for the event can be done online. More information about Parent/Guardian University is available here.