Parent University Already Planning For 2009

By John Voket

Dorrie Carlolan and Donna DeLuca, co-founders and directors of The Parent Connection, are not resting on the overwhelming success of their recent Parent University. Last week during a special meeting, Ms Carolan reported to the Newtown Prevention Council that the event was filled to capacity, and that dozens of participants were already asking what was in store for next year.

“The one thing we heard over and over was to make the workshops longer, so we’re looking at extending them from 60 to 90 minutes each,” Ms Carolan told The Newtown Bee this week.

“We had a number of people suggest we make it a daylong event, but I don’t think we’re quite ready for that yet,” Ms DeLuca added.

Ms Carolan said nearly 200 parents and students converged on Newtown Middle School March 29 to hear keynote speaker Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, and to attend workshops on bullying prevention, special needs issues, and teen sexuality, to name a few.

Parent University offered a unique opportunity for parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, and all caregivers to spend the morning becoming more educated and empowered nurturers of children at all ages and stages of development.

“Current research indicates that parental involvement and developing close connections with our children are powerful protective factors when raising them,” Ms Carolan said. “We were happy to see that this year’s Parent University helped equip attendees with the tools to build stronger family relationships, more resilient children, and healthier communities.”

Parent University was hosted free of charge to participants and offered a complimentary breakfast and lunch. Newtown Savings Bank underwrote child care service to free up parents to take full advantage of the program while being able to visit with their children anytime during the event.

A DVD of most of the day’s activities is near completion, and is being produced by the Newtown High School Tech Team. For more information on obtaining a copy, or to learn more about the Parent Connection, its outreach and support services, visit www.newtownparentconnection.org or call 270-1600.