Celebrate Spring With Parent University

The first day of spring will provide Newtown parents with another reason — along with the conclusion of another New England winter — to celebrate. Spring’s arrival also coincides with Newtown Parent Connection’s 3rd Annual Parent University.

The popular, annual event is set for Saturday, March 20, at Newtown Middle School. Parent Connection is honored to announce that Attorney General Richard Blumenthal will be the keynote speaker.

Parent University is offered to parents who wish to be proactive and learn positive parenting strategies for raising children of all ages. Strengthening families and enriching communities are goals of Newtown Parent Connection, whose mission is “To educate and empower the community in the prevention of substance abuse and to embrace families in crisis.”

Activities will begin at 8 am with registration and a complimentary continental breakfast. The keynote address will take place from 8:50 to 9:40. Participants will then break out into workshops until 12:40 (sessions will run from 9:50 to 11:10 and then from 11:20 to 12:40), after which a complimentary lunch will be offered.

Workshop topics provide a cross section of subjects from which parents can choose. Some examples are “Keeping FUN in FUNctional Families: Is My Kid Crazy — Or is It Me?,” “Duck, Duck, Goose: The Importance of Play,” “Raising Strong Kids: Building Muscle to Combat Adversity,” “I Feel Pretty: Raising Daughters with a Positive Self Image,” “This is Your Kid’s Brain… This is Your Kid’s Brain on Alcohol and Drugs,” “Everybody’s Doing It…Doing What?” and “Friending, Texting and Twittering: What’s a Parent To Do?”

Additional workshops will be offered and descriptions can be found by visiting the Newtown Parent Connection website at NewtownParentConnection.org. Tuition is $5 per adult.

Early signup is encouraged as there is limited space for each workshop and they fill quickly. Registration is available online or can be done in person by visiting Newtown Youth & Family Services at 17 Church Hill Road or Newtown Youth Academy, 4 Primrose Street within the Fairfield Hills campus (ask for Dorrie).

In addition to Parent University, there is an offering for children. Kid’s University is a children’s program that includes a variety of fun and age appropriate activities for ages 3–11. All children must be preregistered for this free activity.

If there are any questions regarding Parent University or its registration process, call the Newtown Parent Connection office at 203-270-1600 and leave a message.