Planning Intensifies for Family University - Will Unite Mamaroneck School Community on March 25

by Patty Horing

School social worker Helene Fremder and parent leaders plan for next year's Family University.

(November 13, 2002) What would it take to bring parents from all six of the district’s schools to work together on a single project? What would it take to get their children to do it with them? And what would it take to have the blessing and involvement of the district, from the Superintendent to the teachers to the coaches?

The answer is Family University, a new program that’s now in the planning stages for Mamaroneck, and is the cornerstone of an ongoing effort to protect and empower kids, support families, and strengthen the community by working together to address common concerns.

On Monday evening, November 10, the Post Road Conference Center at the high school was packed with planners preparing for the March event. It’s too early to reveal the content of the workshops they're developing, but it’s not too soon to save the date: March 25.

Briefly, a Family University event takes place in one evening and consists of a series of workshops to stimulate family conversation, and focus on issues of concern to both parents and students. More than 20 different workshops offer something for everyone and target parents with children from, elementary through high school, and students in both the middle and high Schools. The event also features a keynote address for all who attend, as well as dinner.

The Family University model was created 11 years ago by a group of parents in Katonah-Lewisboro, and has been successfully expanded to almost 20 other communities in Westchester. It will be held in Mamaroneck for the first time on March 25, 2004 at the Mamaroneck High School. The program is being funded by grants from the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation and the school district.

To date, some 90 volunteers – students, parents and faculty – from all schools in the district are involved. The event is being created with the help of Patty Warble, who was one of the original Family University planners and is now a respected consultant, along with Chairwoman Janet Buchbinder (a parent and past-president of the PT Council) and Mamaroneck High School psychologist Helene Fremder. Supporting them is a myriad of parent and student committees (workshop selection, registration, finance, marketing, school/community liaison, food, etc.). Support is extremely strong within the schools as well -- teachers have been encouraged to cut back on homework, and all sports events have been suspended for the Family University evening.

Patty Horing is involved with the PTA in planning for Family University.

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