Parent University 2015
Unlocking Your Child’s Future Potential from K-12 and Beyond
Monday, March 9, 2015 at West Springfield High School
6:30-7:00-Pre-session on Portrait of a Graduate
7:00-7:15-Opening Remarks
7:20-9:15-Session Programming
The West Springfield school counseling pyramid is hosting another parent seminar series this spring for parents/guardians of students in grades K-12 focusing on academic achievement, future planning, and post-secondary exploration and preparation. Participants will learn strategies to support academic success, understand various post-secondary options, and hear about the college planning process at every level. This event is something you won't want to miss!
This program is for parents of students who attend:
West Springfield High School
Irving Middle School
Orange Hunt Elementary School
Hunt Valley Elementary School
Rolling Valley Elementary School
Cardinal Forest Elementary School
Keene Mill Elementary School
West Springfield Elementary School
Sangster Elementary School
*Childcare will be available on site at WSHS.
Session Topics
Participants can select up to three 35 minutes sessions to rotate through.
College Funding 101,
The College Funding Coach team is available to answer all of your questions about saving for college, understanding the process, and planning ahead for the future. [All Levels]
Homework/Support Organization
Learn about strategies and ideas to support your child manage homework, projects, and organization. You'll hear specific ideas about how you can make the workload more manageable. [Elementary]
Middle School Prep
This presentation will give you a thorough overview of how you can help your child prepare for middle school, while fostering their independence and academic growth. Topics included are: organization, motivation, achievement, and connecting with your child. [Elementary & Middle]
Understanding Rigorous High School Programming
Learn about the different types of advanced studies courses offered through FCPS to include Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB). [Elementary & Middle]
High School Prep
Learn how to help your child hit the ground running when they enter high school! The transition from middle to high school can be challenging for many students. We are here to offer practical strategies for preparing and succeeding in high school. [Elementary & Middle]
Advice from an Expert: Understanding 4 Year College, Part 1 & 2
College-Bound students and their parents spend a lot of time and energy worrying about what colleges and universities admission officers are really looking for in the admissions process. Come get expert advice from Lauren Wagner, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions, at George Mason University. Her presentation promises to be informative and will help students and parents understand more about what admissions officers are really considering when reviewing applications. [All Levels]
Fit 'N Finish: College Fit & Developing a Winning Application
When constructing your college list or making a final decision about where you’re going to college, the idea of “fit” is complex. There are many important, intangible and often unseen variables that must be considered beyond how a college campus looks and feels at a glance. Come learn what tools we have to help you navigate this process and how to ‘finish’ well by capitalizing on the importance of essays in the application process. [All Levels]
Gap Year & Other Specialty Programs
Crystal Thrower, Registered Apprenticeship Consultant, with the Virginia Department of Labor & Industry, discuss Apprenticeship opportunities. An apprenticeship is a job but it is also school. Apprentices are trained by master craftsmen, who are experts in their fields. Apprenticeships also include classroom lessons to make sure the apprentice masters all aspects of the job. A Gap Year is a year spent taking time off between life stages. An increasingly popular option, it provides time for traveling, volunteering, learning a new language, or experiencing any number of other activities for personal growth. Typically, students take a gap year after graduating from high school and before attending college. Technical Schools are traditionally two-year schools that provide mostly employment-preparation skills for trained labor, such as welding, culinary arts and office management. Judson Bragg, Admissions Presenter, with Advanced Technology Institute , to speak about opportunities at trade schools. [All Levels]
Guaranteed Admission through Community College
Emmanuel Nadal, Assistant Coordinator for Early Engagement, at the NOVA Annandale Campus will be here to speak about admission to a 2-Year school and the Guaranteed Admissions program offered through NOVA. Potential NOVA students who want to attend highly-competitive, four-year colleges and earn a degree in one of these fields can use Guaranteed Admissions to their advantage. These agreements ensure that NOVA students who earn an associate degree are guaranteed admission into a four-year school. [All Levels]