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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