September 13, 2006
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Connecticut Grand Hotel
Waterbury, CT
Sponsored by:
Connecticut State Department of Education
State Education Resource Center (SERC)
Capitol Region Education Concil (CREC)
Keynote Speakers | Issue-Centered Dialog Sessions | Mini-Grants | Registration Info | Printable Registration Form (.pdf) | Agenda
Purpose
This Forum is intended to bring educators, parents,
and community members, K–Grade 12, together
to talk about building the bridges between home
and school that support student learning at high
levels. The day’s activities are all designed to help
participants consider the intricate relationships
between families and schools.
Participants will have the chance to hear from two
prominent leaders in the field of school-family
relationships, to dialogue with one another in
small groups about the critical issues raised by the
speakers, and to air their own areas of interest and
concern. These thought-provoking sessions also
offer the opportunity to gather concrete strategies
and share perspectives in a thoughtful and
respectful atmosphere. Results of the day will be
collected and used to strengthen state and local
efforts.
Two dialogue sessions during the day will bring
together small groups of participants who have an
interest in specific topics related to building strong
and constructive school-family relationships.
Participants will each choose from a menu of topics
and spend each session sharing their thoughts and
viewpoints and listening to the perspectives of
others. Each small topical group will benefit from
the expertise of two experienced facilitators who
will ensure that all voices are heard and multiple
aspects of the topic are addressed. A recorder in
each small group session will document the
contributions for future distribution. Formats of this
type are often used when people feel deeply about
complex topics, want their approaches heard and
appreciated, and are open to learning new ideas
from others that they can bring back to their
communities.
Keynote Speakers
Morning
Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, Ph.D., is a sociologist
and Professor of Sociology at Harvard University.
Her presentation will focus on the crucial
conversations that occur between parents and
teachers and unique ways to improve family-school
relationships. She will explore the cultural
contexts of learning and the relationship between
families, schools, and communities.
Afternoon
Joyce Epstein, Ph.D., an international expert on
family and community involvement, is a research
Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University
and Director of the Center on School, Family, and
Community Partnerships. She established the
National Network of Partnership Schools in 1995.
Her presentation will focus on the "how-to" of
partnerships, highlighting the infrastructure in
schools and districts that is needed to support
sustainable programs and produce positive results
for all students.
Issue-Centered Dialogue Sessions
Two dialogue sessions during the day will bring
together small groups of participants who have an
interest in specific topics related to building strong
and constructive school-family relationships.
Participants will each choose from a menu of topics
and spend each session sharing their thoughts and
viewpoints and listening to the perspectives of
others. Each small topical group will benefit from
the expertise of two experienced facilitators who
will ensure that all voices are heard and multiple
aspects of the topic are addressed. A recorder in
each small group session will document the
contributions for future distribution. Formats of this
type are often used when people feel deeply about
complex topics, want their approaches heard and
appreciated, and are open to learning new ideas
from others that they can bring back to their
communities.
A Sampling of Discussion Issues
- When school and home cultures differ
- How can teachers and parents share
leadership?
- What is the role for community members
in supporting student success?
- How can we do what we know works?
Mini-Grant Information
The Forum is also designed as a catalyst for local
community action. Mini-grants will be
available to participants to bring together a
diverse group of people in their communities to
talk about the school-family issues brought
forward, and those that are important
locally. Detailed information about the minigrants
will be presented at the closing session.
Registration Information
Printable Registration Form (.pdf)
For content questions, please contact Barbara
Slone, Consultant, SERC, at (860) 632-1485,
ext. 340, slone@ctserc.org.
For registration questions, please contact Ginna
Smyth, Education Services Specialist, SERC, at
(860) 632-1485, ext. 238, smyth@ctserc.org.
Closing date for registration is September 1, 2006.
Please return registration form and payment to :
Schools & Families
SERC
25 Industrial Park Road
Middletown, CT 06457-1520
Registration Fee
The registration fee for this conference is $40.00
per person, which includes lunch and book
by AM Keynote presenter.
Purchase orders will be accepted, but payment
MUST be received prior to September 13,
2006. Check or purchase order should be
made payable to: Rensselaer at Hartford.
Fee waivers are available to parents, if needed.
Please note that parent waivers are reserved for
parents not attending in a professional capacity.
A limited number of stipends are also available
to parents to help defray the cost of childcare
and transportation. Those interested should
briefly indicate need in writing. Attach
request to the registration form.
CEU Information
SERC will award .7 CEUs for the full day of
participation. To qualify for CEUs, participants
must be pre-registered, receive written
confirmation from SERC, complete a conference
evaluation form, and provide evidence of postconference
application/reflection. Evaluation
forms and information about the application/
reflection responsibility will be available at the
conference as well as a Certificate of Attendance
for any participant not interested in receiving
CEUs.
Please Note
A pre-conference event for parents, coordinated
by Connecticut Parents Plus/United Way, will
take place on September 12, 2006 from 5:30 p.m.
to 7:30 p.m., at the Connecticut Grand Hotel in
Waterbury, Connecticut.
For more information, please contact Arlene
Shannon at Connecticut Parents Plus/United
Way, (860) 571-6871, or Betsy LeBorious at
CREC, (860) 509-3615.
Agenda
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Registration & Coffee
8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
AM Keynote Presentation:
The Essential Conversation: What Parents and
Teachers Can Learn From Each Other
Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, Ph.D.
9:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Break
Book Signing with
Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, Ph.D.
10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
AM Small Group Sessions for
Issue Centered Dialogues
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Lunch
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
PM Keynote Presentation:
Developing Sustainable Programs of Family
and Community Involvement:
How Can We Implement What Works?
Joyce Epstein, Ph.D.
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m
PM Small Group Sessions for
Issue Centered Dialogues
2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Closing Session
Mini-Grant Information & Dessert
Printable Registration Form (.pdf)
