Category / meetings

by Heather Sielicki

2018-2019 Parent Leaders Meetings

91fb9-keyparentinvolvement[1]The 4J Parent Leaders Network is a volunteer network connecting parent organization leaders for mutual support. We meet at the District Office at 200 North Monroe Street. Our meeting space and refreshments are provided by Eugene School District 4J.

This year’s meetings will be convened by Heather Sielicki and Rita Gillihan on 10/3, 12/3, 2/4, and 4/15 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. RSVPs are requested.

2018-2019 Meeting Schedule

  • October 3rd: Back to school; policies and procedures that apply to parent groups, working with the Eugene Education Foundation, and communication best practices. Click here to RSVP.
  • December 3rd: Understanding K-12 Funding in Oregon 101; working with the School Board, programs and ideas for raising additional funds for your school community. Click here to RSVP.
  • February 4th: Community involvement; best practices to support the involvement of parents and families in the education of their children, how to get your neighborhood connected with your school.
  • April 15: Advocacy; enhance your ability to impact educational opportunities and social change, mobilize volunteers and recruit future parent leaders.

 

by Heather Sielicki

What Parent Leaders Want

At the April 30 Parent Leaders meeting, we completed a Organization Development Needs Assessment survey for our group to determine the type of training and organizational development activities we are most interested in accessing during the 2018-2019 school year.

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After evaluating the results, the topics that were of highest interest were

  • School improvement,
  • Facilitation,
  • Energizers, warm-ups and ice breakers,
  • Group agreements and norms, and
  • Communication.

Some of the specific skills we wanted to build included increasing diversity/inclusivity in our parent groups, volunteer recruitment, supporting transitions (betwen elementary/middle/high), 4J policies and procedures, and fundraising.

Moving forward, Heather Sielicki and Rita Gillihan will meet with Brooke Wagner to schedule dates for next year.

by Heather Sielicki

Save the Date

2017-2018 Meetings

Our meetings for the 2017-2018 school year will take place at the District Office at 200 North Monroe Street. Take away tools will be provided.

Monday, October 30, 2017 – 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Monday, January 29, 2018 – 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Monday, April 30, 2018 – 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Each meeting will include a 40-minute training topic and a 20-minute information presentation from Superintendent Dr. Gustavo Balderas, Elementary Director Brooke Wagner, and Secondary Director BJ Blake. The meetings will be convened by Heather Sielicki (parent volunteer) with facilitation by Josh Reckord (retired educator).

Skill Building Workshops

In addition the these meetings, three skill building workshops are planned:

  • Making Meetings Matter: Learn what elements contribute to meetings that “click”–where everyone feels good about what was accomplished.
  • Difficult Conversations in Schools: Develop the confidence and strategies to deliver meaningful and constructive feedback.
  • PTO Meeting Conference Calls: Learn how call-in and video-call options can transform your meeting attendance.

Join our email list for updates, meeting agendas and reminders.

by Heather Sielicki

Difficult Conversations in Schools: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 from 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Join us at the District Office Auditorium for the final of four district wide parent leaders meetings. Each meeting includes a 40-minute training topic and a 20-minute information presentation from District leaders.

At the May meeting, retired educators Josh Reckord and Bill Kentta will share best practice techniques to use when planning and engaging in difficult conversations. Carrying out such conversations in a careful, considered and effective manner leads to better outcomes for students, stronger interpersonal relationships, and joint ownership over problems and solutions.

Superintendent Dr. Gustavo Balderas, Elementary Director Brooke Wagner, and Secondary Director BJ Blake will present an update on school improvement bond options and answer questions from the audience.

We will close the meeting with some visioning for supporting the school PTOs next year.

Quarterly 4J Parent Leaders Network Meeting Agenda

When: Tuesday, May 23rd, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: 200 Monroe Street, Eugene, OR Get Directions

6:30: Intro/Warm Up
6:45: Difficult Conversations in Schools
7:25: Eugene School District 4J School Inprovement Bond
7:45: 4J Parent Leaders Next Steps
8:00: Adjourn