CCOE

Agenda CCOE Session #1 Wednesday August 29, 2012 6:30pm

Presents: Communities Committed to Optimal Education

1. Welcome (2 min)

Anton Seals –Sr. Advocacy Manager Ms. Toni Seas-Gary Comer Noble Street Parent

2. Overview of CCOE and INCS Parent Core (8 min)

Anton Seals - Sr. Advocacy Manager

3. Introduction of Dr. Chandra Gill

Anton Seals - Sr. Advocacy Manager

4. Speaker Dr. Chandra Gill (45 min)

Featuring: Dr. Chandra Gill Creating Champions in Schools

August 2012

5. Closing remarks

Anton Seals

6. School Supply Give-A-Way

INCS Staff

INCS Parent Core

Communities Committed to Optimal Education

INCS is starting the Parent Advocacy Core to build more opportunities for charter school parents to help shape the future of charter public schools in Illinois and education issues impacting students.

Overview:

The Core:  is designed especially for charter parents who want to make sure their child’s charter schools stays vibrant;  Provides an interactive and flexible way to learn how to become a successful parent leader and school advocate;  Offers charter parents an opportunity to practice what they learn and put their skills and talents into collaborative action with other parents and school members;  Provides opportunities for members to advocate decision makers and education reform leaders on improving charter schools’ impact

CCOE is an engagement series that will address issues parents face in communities, and schools. CCOE will allow for Charter school parents to hear dynamic speakers, resources and to further build relationships in communities within the schools and outside the schools

Goals: Communities Committed to Optimal Education Sessions: 

Foster a sense of community for parents across the charter school sector

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Creation of INCS Parent Core that is engaged in advocating for optimal educational opportunities in communities

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Connecting charter schools parents with community resources addressing issues impacting students educational outcomes.

Objectives: 

Engaging parents through bi-monthly sessions focusing on issues impacting students educational outcomes.

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Creation of a support network for parents and their children

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Support parents in creating champion students and life-long learners.

The Parent Advocacy Core is looking for 50 parents who are:  Passionate in advocating for their child’s school  Interested in developing leadership, advocacy and organizing skills  Learning more about emerging public education issues Parent Leader Roles:  Basic understanding of charter schools  Participation in the year-long Communities Committed to Optimal Education Series  Group training sessions  Interest in working with charter school staff, other charter school parents, and INCS  Dependable and reliable participation in training assignments and activities  Ability to work well with and motivate others

Please email or Mr. Seals, Sr. Advocacy manager at Illinois Network of Charter Schools 312-629-2063 or laseals@incschools.org with questions

Great Links to use: Back To School Tips Envision: Get in a quiet place and envision how you want things to be.

Whether it is before the kids wake up or when everyone is in the bed sound asleep, take this time to reconnect and find your inner peace. When you are still and quiet this will allow you to see what you want in your life and what is best for your family will become clearer. This is the beginning of creating the life that you want so your household runs efficiently and effortlessly.

Illinois Network of Charter Schools www.incschools.org

Stand For Children www.stand.org/illinois

Get Organized: Now is the time to de-clutter.

Too much clutter can become stressful in any relationship. This is a time when you weed out what you DON'T need, from the food in your refrigerator to the clothes in your closet. If you haven't worn that suit in five years, it’s probably time to let it go. Begin with one room at a time. Get rid of old clothes, old shoes and things you just don't need or use. Make one bag for trash and one bag for give away. Once you have mastered these simple steps to organization, share it with your family so they know how to maintain it. This will help not only de-clutter but de-stress your household. Everything will have its place and there will be a place for everything. Hold Sunday night planning sessions. As the week approaches, sit down as family and discuss plans for the week. Who has late night business meetings? Who has SAT prep class or soccer practice? A ten minute discussion on Sunday night can save unnecessary meal preparation, and schedule clashes.

Neighborhood Parents Network http://www.npnparents.org/

Illinois State Charter School Commission (SCSC) http://www.isbe.net/SCSC/

Prioritize:

The start of the academic year is a great time to set schedules. Don't let the overactive mom or dad in your circle influence you to put your kid in 10,000 activities. Odds are they running on adrenaline from constantly driving their kids cross town and both parent and child will be burnt out before December. Talk with your kids, find out what they really want to do as far as activities are concerned. What have you observed in the past? What do they enjoy and what do they dread? Focus on what will benefit them and go for it and with it. Have multiple children? Have each child pick one thing. Yes, it's okay for Bobby not to do soccer and flag football and basketball. They will get more out of doing the sport or activity they love, then by seeing just how many they can do at once. Extracurricular activities are about quality, not quantity. Stock up. At the beginning of the school year, buy extra report covers, poster boards, glue sticks and markers. It will save you from making a mad dash to Wal-Mart after a long day at work.

Take Care of You:

All summer you have been shuffling kids to their doctors appointments, camp activities, beach days, etc. Now is the time for you to make your doctors appointments! That annual physical, and dental check up are vital to living a healthy life. Remember: if you don't take care of you, you can't take care of others. Take a full spa day if you can (yes, Dad, you too!) Manis and Pedis are also great if you can't do a whole big package, as is getting a fresh hair cut or taking a trip to the barber.

Black Alliance of Educational Options www.baeo.org

Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options http://www.hcreo.com/

Special thanks to Noble Street Gary Comer College Prep

Follow us on Twitter @IL_Charters Tips curtsey of ebony.com