Nearly 600 parents and community members attended the conference that focused on parent partnership and embracing diversity
[Newark, NJ – December 5, 2016] – Newark Public Schools (NPS) and the Offices of Title 1 and Family and Community Engagement hosted the 30th Annual Title 1 Parent Conference at Robert Treat Hotel in Newark. The theme of this year’s conference was “Parents as Partners”, which emphasized the importance of parent involvement and embracing diversity. In recognition of the 30th anniversary of the conference, this year’s programming was expanded over three days which gave approximately 600 parents and community members the opportunity to attend.
“The Title 1 Parent Conference is great way to educate parents and community members about tools and resources that exist to help our children to excel,” said Christopher D. Cerf, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “Parent involvement is critical in promoting student achievement and growth. It is also important to create a learning environment that embraces diversity so students feel safe and nurtured. The 30th Annual Title 1 Parent Conference was a great success, and I look forward to working with parents, educators and community members to continue to encourage parent involvement and highlight the importance of diversity.”
The Title 1 Parent Conference is organized by the Offices of Title 1 and Family and Community Engagement and offers informative workshops for parents and community members about district procedures, policies and curriculum that are helping to set Newark’s children up for a successful 21st Century education and career.
“Every year, the Title 1 Parent Conference shows us the progress the district has made in reaching out to and engaging with community members,” said Margarita Muñiz, Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement at NPS. “We are very proud of the work our parents did this year to help plan this conference. Parents have a significant impact on student success, and it is important to continue offering programs like the Title 1 Parent Conference that will help us reach more parents and give them the resources they need to improve student outcomes.”
Over the three day conference, parents participated in workshops that were focused on the following:
- November 30: Pre-Kindergarten to 8th Grade and Special Education
- December 1: Bilingual Education
- December 2: Secondary Education and College Fair
Throughout the three days, parents had the opportunity to attend one of 25 different break-out sessions hosted by parents, district staff, community partners and board members. These sessions were planned by a committee of parents and district officials who were tasked with creating programming that benefited all community members.
“Unity and inclusiveness is a most appropriate theme for this conference,” noted Janet Chavis, Executive Director of Federal Programs and Grants. “It is so important that we as an educational institution support our families and schools as they work together to make sure that children of all backgrounds – those who speak different languages, have learning disabilities or learning differences – are welcomed as classmates, valued as learners and empowered to succeed.”