U-46 parent summit offers tools to better engage in child's education

Elgin Area School District U-46 will host a Parent Summit from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Larkin High School to educate parents of elementary school students about how to engage and participate in their child's education.

The event will offer several workshops in English and Spanish on such topics as early childhood education, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, AVID, bullying, positive behavior interventions & supports, and transitioning to middle school.

Education consultant Lourdes Ferrer will be the keynote speaker. Ferrer is a researcher, program developer, motivational speaker and author who works with school districts to improve academic achievement. She specializes in helping districts close the achievement gap through parental empowerment.

Community partners will host booths to provide families with information about available resources.

MCC seeks literacy volunteers: McHenry County College is offering free information sessions on becoming a literacy tutor for reading, mathematics and English from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 3, or from 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 6 at the college, 8900 U.S. Route 14, Crystal Lake.

MCC's Adult Education Department is seeking volunteers to tutor adult students in reading, math or English as a Second Language. Anyone 18 years or older is eligible to become a tutor.

This project is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a division of the office of secretary of state, using state funds designated for literacy.

A literacy volunteer tutor does not have to speak a second language or have any teaching experience to tutor in the adult education literacy program. Volunteer tutors will receive free basic training that provides the information and skills needed to work with literacy students.

Training classes will be held Wednesday evenings or Saturday mornings starting this fall. All teaching materials are supplied to volunteers.

"People looking to make a difference in the life an Adult Education student should come to an orientation session to learn about this rewarding opportunity," said Marie Day, coordinator of Adult Ed and Literary Support Services.

For more information or to register for an orientation or training session, call (815) 455-8542.