News

Statesman Journal: Strategies to enhance reading experience (02/20/2011)

Written by Steve Chambers and Eduardo Angulo
Feb. 20, 2011

Is your child a reader? Do you have all the skills you need to help maximize your child's ability to read and do schoolwork?

For the past eight years, the Salem-Keizer School District has collaborated with the Salem/Keizer Coalition for Equality to present the annual No Child Left Behind Parent Gathering.

This conference has promoted strategies to develop positive relationships with parents and school staff and to engage more effectively in the education of their children.

The Marion County Commission on Children and Families has joined in hosting this year's conference. Its involvement has led to a richer and more comprehensive event.

In today's world, our competition is coming from countries like China, India, Indonesia, Germany and Japan, where a high value is placed on the job applicant's ability to read, write and perform advanced math.

Literacy is the key to doing well in all school subjects and being most competitive in the job market.

Study after study tells us that meaningful parental involvement is the key to educational achievement and that reading is the No. 1 skill needed for success in school and the job world.

"The Heart of Literacy" conference is designed for parents, community members, childcare and pre-school
providers and educators.

The conference has grown to include a keynote speaker and scores of breakout sessions with educational experts. Workshops are primarily in English and Spanish, with other language translators, (Russian and Marshallese), offered.

More than 50 workshops will be available to participants. Workshop topics include how to promote reading and writing, brain theory, time management and several others to learn how to be actively engaged in a child's education. In addition, there will be sessions on mentoring, volunteering, Internet safety, keeping kids safe from
gang involvement and helping families prepare children for college.

This year's annual conference, "The Heart of Literacy," expands upon the previous NCLB gatherings and the commission's "For the Love of Literacy" events.

The conference will be from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Saturday at McKay High School. There is no charge to attend. Childcare and lunch will be provided.

For more information on the conference, visit www.parentforthefuture.com or call the Marion County Children and Families Department at (503) 588-7975. Pre- registration is encouraged.