DOTHAN, Alabama, October 5, 2022 The Bright Key® Parent and Family Engagement program team at Morris Slingluff Elementary School invites all Slingluff parents to attend a Parent Summit on Thursday, October 6, from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. at the school.
The event will start with a free dinner for Slingluff families served between 5:00 and 5:30 provided by Principal Darius McKay. Following dinner, workshops for parents will be presented by several community organizations and agencies. The first workshop will be presented in the gym at 5:30 for all parents by the Dothan Police Department and will focus on internet safety. Parents will then have the opportunity to attend two additional workshops that pique their interest.
While parents are attending the workshops, Slingluff students will enjoy an educational magic show performed by magician Tommy Johns. Several generous Slingluff families sponsored the magic show so that students will have entertainment while their parents are learning. To conclude the evening, the Morris Slingluff Elementary Honors Choir will make their debut and perform a selection of songs.
The Summit is the inaugural event for the Bright Key® Slingluff Parent University which will take place throughout the school year and offer classes and workshops to parents and caregivers on topics they determined to be important to them and their children.
“The Summit will launch the Bright Key Parent University that will offer a multi-generational approach - taking families’ challenges, needs and educational goals into account for maximum impact on student success,” explained Bright Key® Slingluff Coordinator Rosalind James.
Workshops and classes will address themes such as the importance of safeguarding your children from the dangers of social media, job readiness, maximizing your family’s health, meal planning on a budget, financial literacy, supporting children with special needs and understanding childhood trauma. Parents will also have the chance to learn about available job opportunities through Personnel Resources, available community resources from Wiregrass 2-1-1 and how they can further their own education through Wallace Community College.
The Morris Slingluff Elementary School faculty and staff will also host workshops on attendance matters, state testing, student handbook information and the Alabama Literacy Act along with workshops offering tips for parents to help their children succeed academically.
“The program teaches parents about the Dothan City Schools system and expectations in testing, math and reading as well as skills and knowledge that will benefit both parents and children ranging from employment opportunities, on-site enrollment for adult education classes, budgeting, parenting/caregiver support, health and nutrition and so much more,” said Mrs. James. “The Bright Key® Parent University’s overall goal is to promote an inclusive school culture, helping participants to feel welcome and valued in their school community.”
Presenting partners for the Summit and subsequent University (along with those mentioned previously) include Urban Snap-Ed / Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Winn Dixie (Westgate Parkway), SpectraCare, Regions Bank, ABA Therapy & Consulting Services, The Right Direction Counseling and the Exchange Center for Child Abuse Prevention.
“Parent Involvement is one of the most important factors for student success,” said Morris Slingluff Elementary Principal Darius McKay. “We are so excited that we will be inviting several community partners to teach and help guide our parents on vital skills that will ultimately benefit their children and their entire family structure. We believe that our Parent Summit and Parent University will be a huge success for all involved.”
For more information about the Bright Key® program and this event, contact Bright Key® District Coordinator for Dothan City Schools, Brittany Shepard, at (334)589-9148 or brshepard@dothan.k12.al.us.
Media outlets are invited to attend the Parent Summit.
ABOUT Bright Key®
Bright Key® is a partnership between Wiregrass Foundation and Dothan City Schools to pilot an innovative, grassroots community school initiative in area schools Bright Key® involves school-community stakeholders (teachers, parents, and others) in the identification and implementation of programs and services to maximize the academic potential of every child. Each school’s program is uniquely tailored to positively impact the children, schools, families and communities of the individual school. Programs and services will be invited into the schools through a self-sustaining partner model that will continually engage the active participation of the stakeholders. Bright Key® has been at Highlands Elementary and Selma Street Elementary for over seven years and has expanded to Heard Elementary and Morris Slingluff Elementary where the initiative is in its second year.