The participants in the Parenting Partners program for the Riverbank Unified School District have successfully completed a series of workshops these past few weeks. There was somewhat of a ‘graduation celebration’ for the parents on Wednesday, March 7, as they received certificates of completion.
Parent Liaison Karen De la Torre with the Parent Networking Center at Cardozo Middle School has supported parents within the community since it opened in September last year. De la Torre explained that this program was created to help parents build key skills that will hopefully contribute to their children’s success.
The following 10 parents graduated on Wednesday night: Zoyla Torres, Angelica Martinez, Maria Angelica Robledo, Beatriz Gonzalez, Maria Castaneda, Bertha Arrazola, Jason Soriano, Angela Mayfield, Erika Sauceda, and Sara McCann. A total of 20 parents participated but only 10 completed the entire eight weeks. The classes were taught by Lupe Duarte, Facilitator and De la Torre in both Spanish and English, with assistance from four parents that were trained to help host the classes. The workshops were held weekly and each ran approximately two hours.
Parents engaged in eight workshops that covered the following topics: Positive Parenting-Success starts at home, Creating confident kids, Communication that works, Creating structure for achievement, Discipline-Practice for success, What children and teens need to succeed, and Parents engaged for academic success.
“We really appreciate the time and dedication that these parents invested in these past weeks,” stated De la Torre.
The celebration was hosted at the Cardozo Middle School library. There were seven parents on hand to receive their certificates and enjoy the celebration. The other three parents were not able to attend.
Along with the graduating parents and their families, Cardozo Principal Kevin Bizzini, RUSD Superintendent Dr. Daryl Camp, Board Member Susan Taylor, Psychologist Nelarie Romo, and Facilitator Lupe Duarte were also in attendance.
Classes were available to all parents that have children in the Riverbank Unified School District, with the initial group including parents who had students attending Cardozo, Riverbank Language Academy and California Avenue.
The Parent Networking Center itself is available for any parent. Assistance setting up the Aeries parent portal is available, and there are regularly scheduled family activities. Also, another Parenting Partner Leadership Workshop has been scheduled in Spanish for five weeks, running Wednesdays from April 18 through May 16 at 9 a.m. Contact De la Torre at 209-863-0837 for more information.
