Susan Lee is hoping the new university coming to Hickory will help adults with finances and how children learn.
The Catawba County Parenting Network is hosting Parent University at Catawba Valley Community College on Saturday, April 24. Lee, who is the director of the Parenting Network, said the organization wanted to offer the free event so parents could take classes on a wide range of subjects.
"We want to reach all parents, but especially the mainstream parent," she said. "We've never launched a one-time event like this."
Lee said the Parenting Network has wanted to organize an event like Parent University for years, and has looked at other regions that have done similar programs, like Charlotte and Miami-Dade County in Florida. Lee said with the Parenting Network in its 10th year, it was the perfect time for it to create the Parent University.
There will be five 50-minute class blocks from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a breakfast in the morning and a break for lunch in-between.
"We're focused on parenting awareness, personal growth and development, and helping a child learn," said Allison Simpson, assistant director for the Parenting Network. "There will be 18 courses offered, and some of them will be in Spanish. They target parents from pre-kindergarten to high school."
The speakers include representatives from the College Foundation of North Carolina, and Stephen Bavolek, a nationally recognized parenting program author, who will discuss managing a child's behavior through positive discipline. There will also be a speaker talking about social networking sites, and someone from CVCC to help parents with their job interview skills, Simpson said. Someone from Wachovia will discuss financial literacy and being money-smart.
Each class will be offered only once during the day. Although attendees don't have to stay for all five sessions, they might want to — the Parenting Network is also giving away door prizes, each worth $250, throughout the day.
And to help parents who want to come, but don't want to get a babysitter, the Parenting Network has organized children's activities as well, for kids up to 12. They include Bisque 'n Beads, Kindermusik, the Hickory Museum of Art and others.
Lunch will be offered from Texas Roadhouse for $7, with a portion of that going to the Parenting Network. There will be additional entertainment for families during lunch.
"This is an opportunity for parents to experience lifelong learning," Simpson said.
Parents can register online beginning Monday, March 22, at www.catawbaparenting.com, or they can call the organization, at 465-9295.
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