In our current environment, with a variety of learning options for our students, it is especially important for our Parent Academy workshops to provide parents, families and the community with the necessary tools and skills to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. 

We are busy getting new and relevant workshops lined up to assist our families in this new journey.  Look forward to a series of POWER HOUR online workshops on the following important topics. All webinars will be recorded and posted in the resource section below for viewing.  

Visit our Parent Advocacy page for information on our Parent Advocacy program and upcoming Parent- Guardian Connection Meetings.

UPCOMING POWER HOUR SESSIONS 

There are currently no upcoming sessions.  Please check back frequently for new information.

PCS Level Up Resources

Level Up is a virtual enrichment opportunity that allows students and families to make the most of their PCS Connects digital learning devices and to help them remain connected to learning. There are a variety of enhancement options for all grade levels, including quarterly Biology, Algebra 1 and Geometry reviews, virtual history and art museum tours, and ACT and SAT preparation courses.

Check out the resources and scheduled events HERE

PREVIOUS POWER HOUR SESSIONS:

Student Summer Employment 

This session covered information on the CareerSource Pinellas Summer P.A.Y.S. (Preparing Area Youth for Success) program.  Summer P.A.Y.S. is a summer employment and training program for eligible Pinellas County residents. CareerSource Pinellas has teamed up with local employers to provide a hands-on learning experience that pays $12 per hour, giving students work experience in high-demand industries. Participating students must be 16-18 years old and enrolled in high school or college. Graduating seniors in the class of 2022 are also eligible. Household income limits may also apply. 

View the WEBINAR RECORDING

View the Student Summer Employment Slides

7 Habits of Highly Effective Families Series   

Reading is Magic!  The Importance of Literacy Tools and Supports

Has your student experienced a setback in reading in the last year or so, possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Plan to attend this important session and learn about a variety of readily available literacy supports and tools for students and families! Joining us will be a dynamic panel of speakers- Michael Thomas of The Juvenile Welfare Board, who will provide tip sheets and helpful information from the Pinellas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading; Irene Castro of Renaissance myON, who will provide parent resources and guidance to access this free, online reading platform with thousands of available books; and Constance Shaw from ReadStrong Pinellas, R’Club, Inc. who will speak about literacy tools and book distribution sites within the community. 

VIEW THE WEBINAR RECORDING

1. Link to the UF Lastinger Institute Tip Sheets- https://lastinger.center.ufl.edu/distance-learning-resources/early-literacy-tip-sheets/
2. Link to myOn- https://pinellas.renaissance.com/
3. Offline Reading Info from myOn- https://p.widencdn.net/vut6rb/274407.083018_RO_OfflineReadingENG
4. Link to Read Strong- https://read-strong.org/  

Read Strong Challenge

Read Strong Challenge Details

Family E-Learning Coaching Info

Take Stock in Children College Scholarship Opportunity Information Session-  DELIVERED IN SPANISH 

Join us for an information session in Spanish about the Pinellas Education Foundation’s Take Stock in Children Scholarship Program.  Candidates must attend a Pinellas County public middle or high school and have the aspiration to attend college or technical school but not the financial means.  Proof of eligibility will be reviewed with the application.  To learn more about this life- changing program, please visit www.pinellaseducation.org/tsic 

VIEW THE WEBINAR RECORDING

Planning for College  

It is never too early to plan your future! Planning and preparing for college can be an overwhelming task if you are not sure what to expect.  During this presentation, you will learn the basics of how to apply to college, find scholarships, and apply for financial aid.   Topics include: scholarship resources, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and Florida Bright Futures.

View the WEBINAR RECORDING

View the College Application Slides

View the Financial Aid and Scholarship Slides 

Pathways to Graduation for 9th and 10th Grade Families   

This session will provide parents of our freshmen and sophomore (9th and 10th grade) students information about Pinellas’ Pathways to Graduation and how those pathways support students to meet Florida’s requirements for graduation, and also help fulfill their goals and aspirations for school and life after high school.  Parents will learn how each of Pinellas’ Pathways to Graduation ensures that students meet the state’s requirements which include:

-          the number of credits students need to earn overall for a standard diploma under two options: standard time (4 years) and accelerated time (3 or fewer years)

-          the specific courses students must pass to graduate under both time options

-          the GPA that is required for graduation under both time options

-          And, finally the State of Florida’s FSA ELA and ALG EOC testing requirements for graduation under both time options 

Lastly, this session will also share important information about the district’s PSAT, ACT, and SAT in-school testing programs and explain how those exams will assist students who struggle to pass the assessments required for graduation during the 9th and 10th grades.

View the WEBINAR RECORDING

View the Slides

View the Standard Diploma Requirements- English

View theStandard Diploma Requirements- Spanish

Is Your 11th or 12th Grader on the Path to Graduation?                                    

This session will review the state of Florida’s graduation requirements.  We will also explore our PCS Personalized Learning Pathways (PLP) Platform which tracks specific “on-track for graduation” or “off-track for graduation” information!  The graduation requirements reviewed will include:

-          the number of credits students need to earn overall for a standard diploma under two options: standard time (4 years) and accelerated time (3 or fewer years)

-          the specific courses students must pass to graduate under both time options

-          the GPA that is required for graduation under both time options, and

-          the State of Florida’s FSA ELA and ALG EOC testing requirements for graduation under both options including information about how the ACT, SAT, and PSAT exams can help students who are struggling to meet the    state’s testing requirements

Additionally, this session will provide parents with very important information about the resources available to juniors and seniors online and outside of school hours that can be taken advantage of to ensure success with passing the ACT or SAT, to meet the state testing requirement for graduation.  When parents become involved helping to ensure juniors and seniors are practicing at home to pass these state tests, the outcomes for students improve significantly!

View the WEBINAR RECORDING

View the Slides

View the Grad Support- Algebra Handout

View the Grad Support- English and Reading Handout

View the Level Up Parent Letter

View the Literacy and Math Support Handout

Home Buying- It Takes Planning Ahead!    

Tired of Renting?  Have you ever thought of owning your own home?  Owning a home is the American Dream and Suncoast Housing Connections can show you how to make that dream a reality.  Suncoast Housing Connections has helped thousands of families in Pinellas County own their first home and they want to show you how you can do this as well.  There are programs that can assist with paying things like the down payment and the closing costs.  Suncoast Housing Connections is presenting an information session where you can learn how you may be able to get up to $45,000 in Down Payment Assistance to help buy a home.

 View the WEBINAR RECORDING

The ABC’s of Financial Literacy

Managing money and dealing with debt can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start.  Join Pinellas County Consumer Protection to learn tips on how reduce debt and build better credit, ways to save money, and how to start budgeting towards a financially stable future.     

View the WEBINAR RECORDING  

View the Budget Worksheet

Everything You Wanted to Know about Identity Theft

Identity theft is a crime that occurs when someone steals your personal and/or financial information to commit fraud.  Pinellas County Consumer Protection will give you tips on how to protect yourself from identity theft and what steps to take if you fall victim.

View the WEBINAR RECORDING

Trauma Informed Care for Families: Parenting in a Pandemic  

What is trauma?  What does it mean to be “trauma informed”?  This session will share an overview of trauma and the behavioral and emotional impacts on child development.  Participants will be provided with strategies for addressing trauma, including parenting in the age of a pandemic.  Resources and a Q&A session will also be provided for those that wish to seek further information. 

View the WEBINAR RECORDING

View the POWERPOINT FILE

View the RESOURCE FILE

Dear Overwhelmed Mom 

Being a parent is a tough job for both moms and dads.  However, it is common for moms to carry more of the physical and emotional load when it comes to parenting.  Oftentimes they are working a regular job, taking on the “second shift” duties such as cooking, cleaning, making lunches, going over homework, and worrying about things like playdates and social interactions can be hard-hitting.  More recently due to COVID 19, moms are working remotely at home, while supporting their child with online learning.    In this presentation, participants will learn strategies on how to “name” their experiences, tap into new energy sources, and facilitate reality check expectations. 

View the WEBINAR RECORDING

View the POWERPOINT FILE

View the CHAT FILE

Digital Parenting: How to Stay Ahead  

Did you know 40% of children in grades 4-8 chatted with a stranger online? In this webinar, we will dig deep to learn what kids are doing online and the impact this has in their lives. We’ll give you the knowledge you need to start talking internet safety with your children as well as tools you can implement at home to keep your children safe and secure online. We apologize this session had issues with the recording.  Please view the following Parent Tip Sheets:

Top 10 Tips

Child-Parent Agreement

Cyber Bullying

Safe Online Shopping

Social Media

Gaming

Know Your Community Resources 

Pinellas County is resource rich but navigating the broader system of services can be challenging.  Courtney Covington of Personal Enrichment for Mental Health Services (PEMHS) will provide practical tips for helping parents get connected to critical services such as financial assistance, food and mental health services.

View the WEBINAR RECORDING

View the POWERPOINT FILE

View the THANKSGIVING BASKET INFO

Behind Every Data Point is a Child

I received my child’s data, what does it mean?  Who do I speak with regarding my child’s data?  What are key questions I should be asking the teacher/school staff?  What is progress monitoring?  During this workshop we will provide participants with information about the various assessments that are administered by levels:  elementary, middle, and high school.  We will discuss the data related to outcomes, and how it impacts your child.  Lastly, we will discuss what are the right questions to ask about your child’s data.  Please join us and find out how to support your child with a better understanding of the data.

View the WEBINAR RECORDING

View the POWERPOINT FILE

Engaging Fathers and Male Role Models in Education  

With the overwhelming data and research regarding male students and their academic performances steadily declining, we are calling on fathers, grandpas, uncles, and brothers to get engaged.  During this workshop participants will be provided engagement strategies for fathers, and father figures.  There will be open dialogue on how men can help their kids reach their potential.  Please join us for this informative discussion.

View the WEBINAR RECORDING

View the POWERPOINT FILE

Wildly Important Wellness- Building Resilience in Challenging Times

Presented by our partners at Franklin Covey Education, this session will recognize that stress is a threat to wellness and impacts relationships. Participants will gain the ability to understand and maintain balance (mind, body, heart and spirit), get strategies to prevent burnout, learn how to build resilience and leave with an action plan for self renewal. 

View the WEBINAR RECORDING  

View the MEETING CHAT

Oops!  My Child is Off Task- Self Discipline Strategies

How can I make my home learning center manageable for all parties? This workshop will help attendees understand the importance of establishing foundational strategies that will minimize behavioral disruption. They will have an opportunity to speak directly with experts on behavior management and to collaborate and share out successful strategies with other parents and families. Lastly, participants will create their “at home” plan to keep their scholars on task.  

View the WEBINAR RECORDING

Dare to Lead  

This session was presented by Doris Chavez-Linville, MS. Ed. and Certified Dare To LeadTM Facilitator. Based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown, Dare to Lead™ is an empirically based courage-building program with the following objectives:

• Discover the Heart of Daring Leadership
• Understand the four skill sets of courage that can be learned:
• Rumbling with vulnerability
• Living into our values
• BRAVING trust
• Learning to rise
• Identify your call to courage
• Be invited to be courageous

This session was unable to be recorded but resources are available Dare to Lead Resources

Eagle Eye: Encouraging Appropriate Online Usage

We have found a high energy, interactive, up-to-the-minute relevant live webinar for families on how to keep your kids safe with the most popular apps online!  It is offered FREE from a small company in California called Smart Social and the presenter is Josh Ochs.  

Session:

5 Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Fortnite, YouTube & Netflix

Participants will learn:

-how much adult/dangerous content is available on every social media app
-the dangers of Instagram and TikTok parents NEED to know about
-what features your kids MUST disable on Snapchat
-how to work WITH your kids to use social media with a purpose (and lower arguments)
-tips and tools you can use to keep your kids safe online

During the webinar Josh will reference books and videos for purchase and will also invite your family to become a VIP (Very Informed Parent) member.  These items do have a cost but are completely optional.  There is lots of great FREE CONTENT in the presentation.

View the Session Recording

The Emotional Reality of Learning at Home:  Meeting the Needs of Students and Their Families

Students’ basic physical and emotional needs must be met before we can expect them to engage in learning whether at school or now, at home. The COVID-19 pandemic finds teachers and families struggling to set appropriate goals and parameters for in-home learning.

Listen to national family engagement expert and author Dr. Steve Constantino and licensed psychologist, author, and emotional intelligence expert, Dr. Adam Sáenz as they discuss the emotional and academic attributes of learning at home and provide suggestions and ideas for educators navigating the difficulties of learning during COVID-19.

View the Session Recording

Resources from previous Parent Academy Workshops:

Bullying and Harassment:  What Parents Need to Know

PowerPoint:  Bullying and Harassment

Webinar Recording:  Bullying and Harassment: What Parents Need to Know

Helping Parents Understand the IEP Process

PowerPoint:  Helping Parents Understand the IEP Process

Webinar Recording:  Helping Parents Understand the IEP Process

Leveling the Playing Field:  Accommodations for Instruction and Assessment

PowerPoint:  Leveling the Playing Field

Handout:  Accommodations Booklet

Webinar Recording:  Leveling the Playing Field

Oral Storytelling

Recording:  Oral Storytelling Video

Personalized Learner Pathway (PLP)

Webinar Recording: Personalized Learner Pathway (PLP)

Simple Starts to Growing Young Readers 

WATCH RAINBOW WRITING RECORDING HERE

WATCH WHAT'S MISSING RECORDING HERE

WATCH MIX FIX RECORDING HERE

WATCH READ ALOUD VIDEO HERE

Webinar Recording: Simple Starts to Growing Young Readers

Youth Mental Health

PowerPoint:  Youth Mental Health

Webinar Recording: Youth Mental Health