CAPE SCHOOLS HOPE TO FOSTER PARENTING PROGRAM

Parents have a chance to do their homework on how to better deal with their school-age children in the Practical Parenting Partnerships program.

This marks the second year of the state-funded program in Cape Girardeau public schools. The program was held locally for the first time two years ago, attracting only a limited number of parents. It wasn't held last year.

This fall the school district, armed with a $4,500 grant, hopes to firmly establish the program.

An informational meeting for parents will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at May Greene Elementary School.

Kristy Mehner, one of the school district's parent educators, is serving as coordinator of the program. She said she hopes to come away from Thursday's meeting with an idea on what topics and issues parents would like the program to address.

Mehner said the program is designed for parents of primarily elementary-school-age children throughout the district. But a special effort is being made to involve May Greene parents.

"We are tying it in to the programs they have already started at the school to improve and help parenting skills," said Richard Bollwerk, director of curriculum and instruction for the school system.

It is an extension of the Parents As Teachers program, which serves parents of preschool children throughout the district. "This program is to pick up where that one left off," Bollwerk said.

The Parents As Teachers program includes home visits as well as group meetings. The Practical Parenting Partnerships program doesn't include home visits.

"This program is set up more to do different group activities for parents," Mehner said.

"Basically, we will be giving information to them about different parenting-type things," she said.

Mehner said she plans to hold several group meetings throughout the year. Mehner said the meetings will give parents a chance to meet and discuss topics such as disciplining children and assisting children with their homework.

She said she also hopes to provide information to parents through a newsletter.

Bollwerk said he hopes the program will help answer questions that parents have about raising their children.