DCSD Virtual Parent and Family Empowerment Conference November 16-21, 2020 | Morning – Afternoon - Evening Sessions | Virtual Platforms

Collaboration between the Divisions of Student Support and Intervention, Curriculum and Instruction, and Information Technology Project Lead: Narva Dunlap, District Family Engagement Specialist Committee: Marcia Coward | Manager, District Family Engagement Deborah Moore-Sanders, Interim Deputy Superintendent, Student Support and Intervention Denise Revels | Coordinator, Social Work Services Shelly Bishop | Lead School Social Worker Kimberly Franklin | Coordinator III, Psychological Services Alva Archibald | Lead Psychologist Evelyn Hall | Director, EL Studies Program Norrie Mills | Coordinator, P/L ELL Studies Program Myisha Warren | Executive Director, Title I/Federal Programs Shaun Thompson | Director, Title I/Federal Programs Nicole Carroll Sloan | Coordinator II, Title I/Federal Programs

Overview:

Virtual Parent and Family Empowerment Conference Educating Minds! Empowering Families! Engaging Virtually!

In recognition and celebration of Georgia's Family Engagement Month, DeKalb County School District will host a Virtual Parent and Family Empowerment Conference. The conference will be held during the week of November 16 - 21, 2020 at various times via a virtual platform. This DCSD Family Engagement Signature Event is a collaboration between the following divisions in the district: Student Support and Intervention, Curriculum and Instruction, and Information Technology. The theme for the conference is Educating Minds, Empowering Families, and Engaging Virtually! The Family Empowerment Conference will provide parents, guardians, families, and stakeholders in the district with various empowering resources. During this event, we will highlight special presenters, engaging sessions, digital resources, virtual vendors and prizes. Also, there will be interpretation break-out rooms provided for our diverse families. Additionally, a pre-registration process will be available via a bit.ly link. Please share the flyer and information with your department and families when the final approval is given. We look forward to educating, empowering, and engaging the parents and families in the district as we wait with great expectation and anticipation of all that will attend and participate virtually in the conference!

Virtual Parent & Family Empowerment Conference Page 2 of 16 November 16 - 21, 2020

Virtual Parent and Family Empowerment Conference Educating Minds! Empowering Families! Engaging Virtually!

November 16 - 21, 2020 Times: Morning - Afternoon – Evening Sessions

Virtual Platform Conference Schedule Live or *Pre-Recorded

Day-Time Session Presenter(s) Description Monday

Morning

11/16

10:00 AM-

11:00 AM

Fostering Resilience during a Pandemic

School Psychologists

Nicole Fresilli

Jennifer Crosson

Adrienne Hills

Psychology Intern

James Pooley

This session will help parents navigate how to talk to their children about the current pandemic and school building closures. Participants will learn elementary appropriate language to use with their children to explain how life has been disrupted by COVID-19. Specific strategies to build a child’s resilience will be provided s well as easy hands-on activities that can be completed with household items to help maintain calmness during these challenging and uncertain times.

Monday

Afternoon

11/16

1:00 PM-

2:00 PM

De-stressing in the Midst of a Pandemic

School Social Worker

Dr. Sandrea Jones

If parenting wasn’t stressful enough already…..add on a global pandemic, virtual learning, and an increase in social and political awareness. This new normal has caused parents to take additional roles, and with additional roles, comes more stress. This interactive workshop provides participants with information and techniques on how to de-stress. Participants will define stress, recognize stressful situations, and demonstrate de-stressing techniques such as: Deep Breathing, Visualization, Emotional Freedom Techniques, and Shifting Perspectives on People. These techniques can be utilized by family members of all ages.

Monday

Evening

11/16

5:00 PM-

6:00 PM

Social Emotional Learning

RTI Coordinators

Kanessa Fain

Dr. Scott McManus

Parents will learn about the 5 core components of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). What SEL is, and how to support their child? This session will provide the resources that are available.

Monday

Evening

11/16

6:00 PM-

7:00 PM

Cool Tools for Accessing Virtual

Learning

Assistive Technology Specialist

Ansley Smith

Participants will learn how to use and integrate universal accessibility supports that are free and readily available to all DCSD students. This workshop consists of academic and learning aids to support students who struggle with writing, spelling, and reading.

Tuesday

Morning

11/17

10:00 AM-

11:00 AM

Exceptional Education

Parent Mentor Partnerships

Parent Mentors

Alexandra Wright Demetra Williams

Parent Mentor Partnership supports and assists exceptional education families in DeKalb County School District. Information will be provided that explains a pilot program that involves Infinite Campus. Explore how the parent mentors will assist parents and students obtain increased graduation rates.

Virtual Parent & Family Empowerment Conference Page 3 of 16 November 16 - 21, 2020

Tuesday

Afternoon

11/17

1:00 PM-

2:00 PM

Self- Care for Parents and Caregivers

School Psychologist

Patty Williams

Parents will learn the importance of self-care, warning signs of chronic stress and secondary trauma, and strategies for self- care. Information and resources will be provided via emailed handouts that include warning signs and strategies.

Tuesday

Evening

11/17

5:00 PM-

6:00 PM

ADHD is My Super Power

School Psychologists

Faith Butler

Giana Grice

This workshops helps parents understand the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). How is it diagnosed and treated? Learn about the positive vs. negative impact and what it looks like it the classroom. Receive interventions for the classroom, home and virtual learning environments. Parents will receive handouts for resources, best apps for navigating ADHD, and 25 things to love about ADHD.

Tuesday

Evening

11/17

6:00 PM-

7:00 PM

What is VERGE?

Title I Parent Center Facilitator

Region 6

Demetria Purkett-Brown

Information Technology Specialist

Dwayne Johnson

Participants will engage in an overview in the navigation of Verge and accessing their student’s assignments.

Wednesday

Morning

11/18

10:00 AM-

11:00 AM

Flipped, Turned, Upside Down! Home

Behavior Supports During Remote

Learning

Special Education Behavior Liaisons

Tawanna Robertson

Tawanda Jenkins-Brown

Tiffany Baskin

Tara Billingslea

The abrupt change to virtual learning has presented challenges for parents and caregivers, especially those with children that have special needs. The demand of managing home life and providing a structured academic and behavioral routine ca be overwhelming. This workshop is designed to provide strategies, recommendations, and ideas to parents and caregivers for a productive, safe, and manageable learning environment for students who need additional support during remote learning.

Wednesday

Afternoon

11/18

1:00 PM-

2:00 PM

Navigating LaunchPad: Tools for

Learning Literacy Skills

Ed Media

Lummie Baker

Jane Kossak

Pamela M. Taylor

Navigating LaunchPad resources that will support literacy and improve reading skills.

Wednesday

Evening

11/18

5:00 PM-

6:00 PM

Alternative Educational

Resources: Exploring Options

School Social Worker

Gloria G. Leslie

This session is designed to explore the viable various options available for students to complete their education and move forward into their career of choice.

Virtual Parent & Family Empowerment Conference Page 4 of 16 November 16 - 21, 2020

Wednesday

Evening

11/18

6:00 PM-

7:00 PM

Reading Comprehension for

ELs

EL Coordinators

Angela Bokelman

Norrie Mills

Parents will learn how to identify reading levels to support growth and achievement levels across the curriculum.

Thursday

Morning

11/19

10:00 AM-

11:00 AM

*Stress LESS Lead School Pychologist

Dr. Alva Archibald

The DeKalb County School District’s Department of Psychological Services would like to invite all parents to a two-part parent workshop: “Stress LESS: A family framework guide to identify and manage stress.” In se