Student, Family, and School Services
"Informing, Educating, and Inspiring Families"
Fall 2023 Parent Academy TO GO!
Student, Family, and School Services is very excited to provide "Parent Academy TO GO," a series of virtual presentations for families to participate and view at home.
Parent Academy TO GO is designed to inform and empower families as advocates and partners in their children's education. Workshops provide families with useful information and resources to support their children's academic and emotional well-being, as well as help them to be college and career ready. Through a variety of learning opportunities hosted by MCPS staff and community partners, we hope to strengthen our engagement with families and the community. We recognize that behind every successful student are supportive families, teachers, school staff and community members who take an active role in educating our students.
Advanced registration is required to participate in our workshops and chats.
It's easy to register for a workshop! Just click on the button below to register online:
Fall 2023 Virtual Workshop Schedule
Modes of Learning: Support Your Child at Home
September 11, 6:00-7:00 pm
Gain insight on how to approach homework and maximize learning by embracing your child’s learning styles. Is your child an auditory learner? A visual learner? A tactile-kinesthetic learner? When we understand how they learn best, it becomes easier to engage and support them with daily homework and other projects. Presented by Parent Assistant Resource (PAR). Recommended for families of middle, and high school students.
Destination College: Understanding the College Admissions Process
September 13, 6:00-7:00 pm
Do you need help navigating the college admissions process? Do you know what admissions officers consider when evaluating college applications? The focus of this workshop is on understanding how to maximize the impact of college admissions applications and on selecting and developing essay topics. Presented by Achieva Educational Consulting. Recommended for families of high school students.
New School Year, New Strategies: How to Plan, Persist, and Achieve Academic Success This Year
September 27, 6:00-7:00 pm
Start the school year strong to set the tone for a great year. This workshop covers strategies to instill confidence at the start of the school year, how to increase your child's likelihood of good grades in the first quarter and beyond, how to effectively prepare for a new routine, and establish a motivated, positive outlook as a family. Presented by Ann Dolin, M. Ed. of Educational Connections. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
From Flunktioning to Functioning
September 28, 6:00-7:00 pm
Students have been asked to pivot and adapt to an array of circumstances over the past several years. Supporting students through these changes and helping them get back on track as quickly as possible has been an issue on the forefront for both families and schools alike. Parents are actively seeking information about how they can set their students up for success. Come and hear research driven tips and strategies to help your child thrive in this new educational paradigm. Facilitated by Illuminos Academic Coaching and Tutoring. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Tips for a Green, Sustainable School Community
October 2, 6:00-7:00 pm
Join us to learn tips on planning your child's lunch to be more sustainable and to hear about the MCPS Food Waste Diversion Plan. In addition, you will learn ways to support your child’s school in achieving Green School Certification. Presented by the MCPS Division of Sustainability and Compliance and MCCPTA Sustainability and Green Schools subcommittee. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
MCPS Athletics – #WeR.A.I.S.E.
October 5, 6:00-7:00 pm
The benefits of participating in athletics positively impacts the overall health and well-being of students. Studies show students who participate in sports excel academically, emotionally, physically, and socially. This virtual workshop will provide an overview of the MCPS Athletics program and share how to involve your student in sports at both the middle and high school levels. Facilitated by MCPS staff. Recommended for families of middle and high school students.
Positive Discipline
October 11, 6:00-7:00 pm
Do you find yourself getting frustrated with your kids or giving in to their demands? For many families, discipline is one of the toughest parts of parenting, but also one of the most important. Discover how to keep peace in your home through the power of the logical consequence approach instead of punishment. Learn strategies to discipline with love, without threats and bribes and how to establish age appropriate expectations for behavior and consequences. Presented by Parent Assistant Resource (PAR). Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Active Parenting Now! (Part 1 of 4)
October 12, 6:30-8:30 pm
This is Part 1 of a 4-part series. Attendance at all 4 workshops is encouraged.
Raising children in today's uncertain world can be overwhelming. It's important for families to help children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their behaviors and build resilience. Learn skills for effective discipline techniques, powerful communication strategies, tools to diffuse power struggles, and creative ideas for encouraging responsibility and independence. Presented by the Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Mindfulness: Managing Stress During Difficult Times
October 16, 6:30-7:30 pm
Effective focus, motivation, handling frustrations, and communication depend on the ability of students to understand and manage their emotions. These are basic competencies that are crucial to student well-being and success. This virtual workshop will focus on how to include Mindfulness practices in both the curriculum and our personal life. Presented by MCPS staff. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Sharpening Phonics Skills at Home
October 17, 6:00-7:00 pm
Many students, third grade and up, still find sounding out and spelling words difficult—this makes all the reading and writing in school feel hard. Practicing with step-by-step phonics materials can improve these skills and build a student’s confidence and enjoyment of reading. MCPS has partnered with Open Source Phonics, a website that provides tutoring materials that are free and aligned with MCPS curriculum. Tips for making phonics practice fun and stress-free will be provided, so please come! Recommended for families of elementary students.
Online Safety Tips for Kids and Teens
October 18, 6:00-7:00 pm
Because kids are using media and tech at a younger age, helping them learn how to navigate their digital world should start as soon as they begin using devices. We should remain engaged and continue these conversations into their teens because as kids get older, online interactions can become more complicated. In this session, we will explore safety and some things you can to help your kids and teens safely explore digital spaces. Presented by Common Sense Media. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Active Parenting Now! (Part 2 of 4)
October 19, 6:30-8:30 pm
This is Part 2 of a 4-part series. Attendance at all 4 workshops is encouraged.
Raising children in today's uncertain world can be overwhelming. It's important for families to help children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their behaviors and build resilience. Learn skills for effective discipline techniques, powerful communication strategies, tools to diffuse power struggles, and creative ideas for encouraging responsibility and independence. Presented by the Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Roadmap to College
What Students Should Do to Stand Out During High School
October 25, 6:00-7:00 pm
College admissions offices across the country are overflowing with applications as more students cast a wider net in their pursuit of the perfect school. As the process gets more competitive, finding ways to stand out is a must. This workshop shares insight on topics such as how the college admissions landscape is continually changing, the most significant factors that now determine whether a student will be admitted to their dream school, and how students can use their interests and accomplishments to craft a narrative throughout high school to help their future applications stand out. Presented by Educational Connections. Recommended for families of high school students.
Active Parenting Now! (Part 3 of 4)
October 26, 6:30-8:30 pm
This is Part 3 of a 4-part series. Attendance at all 4 workshops is encouraged.
Raising children in today's uncertain world can be overwhelming. It's important for families to help children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their behaviors and build resilience. Learn skills for effective discipline techniques, powerful communication strategies, tools to diffuse power struggles, and creative ideas for encouraging responsibility and independence. Presented by the Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
The New Digital SAT: Everything You Need to Know
November 2, 6:00-7:00 pm
As the digital SAT (dSAT) launches in 2024, parents and students are entering unfamiliar ground. This workshop will focus on key changes between the current pencil-and-paper SAT and the new digital version. Key Takeaways will include understanding differences and similarities between the ACT, traditional SAT, and dSAT, learning about online tools and study methods, and finding out how you can assist your child during this pivotal time in their academic journey. Facilitated by BREAKTHROUGH Test Prep. Recommended for families of middle and high school students.
Digital Resources to Support Home & School Learning
November 7, 6:00-7:00 pm
Join us to learn about the databases available for students to use for academic and personal information needs, as well as our eBook platform SORA. These resources are free to the students and they can be used at home or at school, anytime 24/7! Presented by School Library Media Programs staff. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Active Parenting Now! (Part 4 of 4)
November 8, 6:30-8:30 pm
This is Part 4 of a 4-part series. Attendance at all 4 workshops is encouraged.
Raising children in today's uncertain world can be overwhelming. It's important for families to help children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their behaviors and build resilience. Learn skills for effective discipline techniques, powerful communication strategies, tools to diffuse power struggles, and creative ideas for encouraging responsibility and independence. Presented by the Montgomery County Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Parenting Strategies for Managing Behaviors
November 13, 6:00-7:00 pm
Disruptive behavior within families often leads to increased conflict, higher levels of parent stress, and reduced feelings of connection. Join Dr. Susanna McQuarrie and Dr. Rachel Singer to identify practical strategies for responding to kid's and teen's behavior. Lower your own stress level through using more effective strategies! Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Sharpening Phonics Skills at Home
November 14, 6:00-7:00 pm
Many students, third grade and up, still find sounding out and spelling words difficult—this makes all the reading and writing in school feel hard. Practicing with step-by-step phonics materials can improve these skills and build a student’s confidence and enjoyment of reading. MCPS has partnered with Open Source Phonics, a website that provides tutoring materials that are free and aligned with MCPS curriculum. Tips for making phonics practice fun and stress-free will be provided, so please come! Recommended for families of elementary students.
A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Teen Dating Violence
November 16, 6:00-7:00 pm
It is important for teens to know the difference between healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationships so that they can keep themselves safe. This workshop will provide an introduction to what dating violence is, reveal warning signs, discuss the statistics related to teenagers and how to talk to a teenager about relationships. Dating violence resources available in Montgomery County will also be shared. Recommended for families of middle and high school students.
Digital Citizenship – A School and Family Partnership
December 5, 6:00-7:00 pm
Join us to learn about and discuss the digital citizenship curriculum that students receive in MCPS, as well as to explore resources that are available for caregivers to use. Presented by School Library Media Programs staff.Recommended for families of elementary, middle, and high school students.
Facts about Fentanyl
December 14, 6:00-7:00 pm
Please come and learn about the dangers of illicit fentanyl and to hear about community resources. Students, parents, and caregivers are welcome. Presented by MCPS staff. Recommended for families of middle and high school students.
Register for Virtual Workshops
Parent Academy TO GO Feedback Form
MCPS Parent Academy TO GO Video Series
The MCPS Parent Academy TO GO series provides families with information central to their children's academic and emotional well-being. Led by community professionals and MCPS specialists, we offer a variety of workshops and chats focused on topics important to families of MCPS students. Our goal is to empower families with the skills and strategies necessary to become active participants in their children’s education.
If you were unable to join one of our Parent Academy TO GO workshops or chats, visit the MCPS YouTube channel for recorded sessions. Please note that it may take up to a week before new recordings are posted.