Last year the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee held a symposium featuring Craig Kielburger and it generated a great deal of excitement, this year the committee is looking for a repeat as they host Canada’s foremost expert on youth culture Max Valiquette.

“This is our second annual educational symposium funded by the Ministry of Education," explains Maureen Clout, chairperson of the Parent Involvement Committee.
"We have a strong parent involvement committee who have worked hard to prepare the application for funding and facilitate this event. What is particularly appealing to me is that it is free and open to everyone. Invitations have been extended to all Boards."

“We are very fortunate to have Max Valiquette as our guest speaker, as he is the founder, president and CEO of ‘Youthography’, the largest youth-focussed marketing agency in North America, which began as a research company devoted exclusively to the youth market," said Deb Tulley, Committee member and parent. "Max is going to paint a profile of young peoples’ lives, their behaviours, their attitudes, their desires, and the best way to reach them.”

Superintendent of Education, Joanne Benard, says the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board is proud of the relationship they have with board parents and the work of the Parent Involvement Committee has put into this year’s program.

“Together with our parents, we have organized another quality learning opportunity for the parents and educators in the Nipissing-Parry Sound District.”

Valiquette’s presentation will shed light on issues like youth and the internet from the educational component to the social influences and help parents understand what their role is in monitoring their children.

Benard says that the program will also offer an excellent selection of workshops by Juno Award nominee Jacqot, IBM and local educators and parents.

“This will provide all participants with beneficial information, including, tips on how the internet can enhance learning at home and at school, how to support learning a second language, how to keep our children safe, and how to help children deal with bullying," says Benard. "This is a must see event, offered at no cost.”

“In a world where many parents are leery of their child’s computer use this topic is hot," says Clout. " We hope to discover the good and bad aspects of technology on Saturday and come away with a much better understanding of how technology can help our children’s learning.”

“I am looking forward to participating in Saturday's events,” says parent Giovanna Parnell. “Being an involved parent in my children's education, I want to be aware of the progressions made in the education system of today.”

“Today’s youth have technology so imbedded in their daily lives that it is difficult for parents to keep up. Technology affects our youth’s academics, as well as their social, mental and physical well-being,” says Tulley.

Principal at St. Alexander School Paul Mann says the evidence is consistent, positive and convincing that any level of parental involvement has a major influence on the success of our students.

“On the continuum from involvement to engagement, parents who are engaged in their child’s learning have an even greater significance in their child’s success at school,” she explains.

“The Parent Engagement Symposium “Are You Ready For the 21st Century” organized by our Board’s Parent Involvement Committee provides all parents and educators across the region the opportunity to learn alongside each other to improve student learning in the area of technology and how this can enhance the learning of our students.”

“Not only does the symposium provide parents access to a variety of resources to equip them to assist in their children’s education, it also assists parents in initiating and developing parent networks with parents from across the region through roundtable discussion groups.”

The symposium takes place this Saturday, April 12, 2008. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. with opening remarks at 9:30 a.m. and the keynote address with Max Valiquette at 11 a.m.

The event includes free lunch, door prizes, free child care and a symposium package for all events.

Visit www.npsc.edu.on.ca to register or to view a complete list and schedule of workshops and presenters or call 472-1201, ext. 229.

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