Parent Connection

January 2025 Issue

Parent Academy's Mental Health Series

January Wellness Wednesday Lunch & Learn

Emotional Regulation: Recognizing What's Wrong

Emotional regulation is the key to life! The first step to creating healthy emotional regulation is recognizing what's wrong. This session will cover:

Why do we have emotions?
The impact of inward emotions on mental health.
Why emotions being too high or low can be harmful.
Tools to understand our child's emotions.

When: January 22, 2025, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Where: Online (Zoom)

Register here

Helping Your Child Succeed - Three Parenting Styles

Did you miss last month's Dine & Learn? Watch the recording of the event below to learn more about ways to improve parental warmth, which is one of the key areas of principle-based parenting. Children who experience parental warmth are found to be more creative, experience less depression, and have healthier self esteem.

REPLAY LINK: https://cookcenter.info/Dec18HarfordReplay

Virtual Workshop on Apprenticeships, Workforce Development, and CTE Programs

For Parents and Guardians for Students in Grades 10 and 11

You are encouraged to join Parent Academy online this coming Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. to hear from Matt Johnstone, HCPS Coordinator of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development, and learn more about apprenticeship opportunities and programs for your high school student. Mark your calendar! To join the event via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, click here. If needed:

Meeting ID: 272 333 485 577
Passcode: gM9A4BJ7

Be sure to follow the HCPS Parent Academy Facebook page for information on workshops and other events throughout the school year.

Mark Your Calendar: Career and Technology Education Informational Event

For Students in Grades 4-7

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the HCPS Career and Technology Education (CTE) Office will host an informational event for students and families about the programs of study within comprehensive high schools, as well as HCPS Signature and Magnet programs. The event, designed for students in grades 4-7, will be at Patterson Mill Middle/High School. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will run from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Students and families will circulate this fair-style event to speak with representatives from each of the ten MSDE-recognized Career Clusters including Maryland Youth Apprenticeship and Harford Youth Workforce Investment. Current students and teachers will be available to engage students in demonstrations, showcasing how CTE innovatively prepares students for opportunities beyond high school.

The following Maryland State Department of Education recognized programs of study will be represented: Arts, Media and Communications; Business Management, Finance and Entrepreneurship; Health and Human Services; Natural Resources and Agricultural Science; and Science, Engineering and Technology.

For more information about the event, and the programs offered within HCPS, visit the CTE webpage on hcps.org.

Free SAT Prep Sessions Offered

Families with a 10th, 11th or 12th grader are encouraged to take advantage of a FREE SAT prep course with FEV tutor. To learn more and sign up, go to https://forms.office.com/r/DKbDMLYMD1. Students must be registered no later than 10:00 p.m. on January 19, 2025.

Free Youth Heart Screenings and Physicals Event

The Harford County Health Department is partnering with Bailey's Heart and Soul Foundation to help provide FREE youth heart screenings and physicals to children ages 12-19 on Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Epicenter in Edgewood.

2025 Real-World Internships in Science & Engineering (RISE) Program

The C5ISR Center Community Outreach Office is pleased to announce the 2025 Real-World Internships in Science & Engineering (RISE) Program.

The RISE Program is a two-week internship program for current high school students who will be 16 years of age on or before July 1, 2025. Program participants will work with professional engineers and scientists to complete result-oriented work. In addition to technical skills, students will develop professional skills through a series of leadership workshops. Over the course of the two-week RISE Program, students will spend between six and seven hours each day working in professional APG labs. Students will be exposed to real-world technology and provide assistance to the engineers and scientists who work at APG to support the Soldier.

The RISE Program schedule:

Dates: July 7-18, 2025
When: Monday through Friday
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Program Applications are now available on their website. Student applications must be completed and submitted no later than Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 11:55 p.m. for consideration in the RISE Program.

For information about program eligibility, and/or how to access the application, visit:

https://c5isrcenter.devcom.army.mil/rise/.

If you have questions, please reach out to the C5ISR Center Workforce & Community Outreach Office at usarmy.apg.devcom-c5isr.mbx.outreach@army.mil.

2025 C5ISR Center Math & Science Summer Camp

The 2025 C5ISR Center Math & Science Summer Camp is a unique program designed to inspire and educate students in the fields of math and science. The application process will open on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Please note that seats fill up quickly, often within the first day, so be sure to apply early to secure your spot.

Important Details:

Application opens: Monday, February 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM
Application process: First Come – First Served basis, with placement preference given to children of current military members
Camp location: Harford Glen Environmental Center, Bel Air, MD
Themes and dates:

Rising 5th & 6th Grade: Flight and Rocketry (July 21 – July 25)
Rising 7th & 8th Grade: STEM in Pop Culture (July 28 – August 1)
Rising 9th & 10th Grade: Natural Disasters (August 4 – August 8)

For more information about the application process and details about the various themes, please visit: https://c5isrcenter.devcom.army.mil/k12/.

Social Emotional Learning and Support Family Workshop

Registration is open for the Social Emotional Learning and Support Family Workshop!

Parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 5 are encouraged to take part in this three-session workshop series to learn more about helping their child succeed at home and beyond.

Register here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx...

Mary Beth's Top Tip

Mary Beth Stapleton founded the HCPS Parent Academy and has over 30 years experience working on behalf of children and families.

Parent Coaching from parentguidance.org

As parents we sometimes struggle and are at standstill with our child’s behavior. We might need a “coach” who can talk us through a tough situation with our child (aggression, trouble with routine and sleeping, emotional withdrawal). Our child might be struggling with school, friendships, or getting along with the family at home. ParentGuidance.org is an excellent resource for HCPS parents and provides resources and support for whatever issue your child is dealing with. They will connect you with a dedicated coach to guide your progress, answer your questions, and “cheer you on.”

Engage For Education Listening Session

February 5, 5:30 p.m.,Joppatowne High School

The next Board of Education of Harford County’s Engage for Education listening session is Wednesday, February 5, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Joppatowne High School in the auditorium.

Following the February 5 session, the last public session is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Havre de Grace High School.

No pre-registration is required to attend or speak at these Board listening sessions. For more information, or to provide feedback directly to the Board if you are unable to attend one of the sessions, please visit the Engage for Education page on hcps.org.

Share Your Feedback with the Board of Education

Did you know the Board of Education of Harford County asks for public feedback when new policies or revisions to existing policies are presented and discussed at Board Business Meetings? Provide your feedback on the policy by the deadline listed on the webpage! https://hcps.org/boe/hottopics/default.aspx

Care Solace

24/7/365 Mental Health Care Coordination Service for Harford County Public Schools

Harford County Public Schools students, staff, and families looking for help with mental health or substance use are reminded they can call Care Solace at 888-515-0595 for 24/7/365 personalized and confidential help finding a therapist. Or, they can search on their own at www.caresolace.com/harford.

Harford County Public Library Events

Check out what's happening in December!

The Harford County Public Library offers so many educational, fun, and FREE events at each of its branches year-round. Be sure to visit the events page of their website to see what's happening this month!

Community Resources

Additional resources may be found in the Harford County Community Services Resource Guide.

Stay Connected!

Be sure you are following the Parent Academy page on Facebook for announcements, updates, resources, and more shared regularly throughout the school year.

Also, bookmark the Parent Academy webpage on hcps.org where all workshops and Real Talks are archived, and where you can find information on other Parent Academy sponsored programs, like Family Friendly Schools.