Published February 19, 2020

PREPARING FOR Parent University 2020 are (from left): Catherine Dhingra, Wake-Up Coalition Director and Wakefield Health Department; Sarah Roehrich, Parent University Volunteer; Stefanie Alpert, Parent University Volunteer; Karen Fitzpatrick, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent; Jeff Worth, Wakefield Co-operative Bank President and CEO; Doug Lyons, Superintendent, Wakefield Public Schools; Elaine Guaetta, AVP, Main Office Branch Manager, WCB; Christine Bufagna, School Business Administrator, WPS; Janet Rivers, WCB Community Relationship Manager. (Jennie Terry Photo)

WAKEFIELD — The 7th Annual Parent University will take place Saturday, March 21 at Galvin Middle School, 525 Main St., from 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon. The event is sponsored by Wakefield Co-operative Bank and presented by Wakefield Public Schools, Wakefield Academy, Wake-Up Coalition, Wakefield Parent Partnership, and Wakefield SEPAC. Parent University is free and parents and caregivers of students in preschool through high school in Wakefield and surrounding areas are welcome to register.

Parent University provides knowledge and advice from community experts through more than 15 workshops to choose from, focusing on students’ educational experience and well-being. Topics range from how to navigate anxiety and mental health, planning for college, social networking, smooth transitioning between grades, and much more.

Wakefield Co-operative Bank will host its “Raising Money Savvy Children” workshop featuring Tom Elkins of Trilogy Financial, which receives rave reviews from attendees each year. The workshop provides parents with useful tools to teach, engage, and talk with kids about money in order to create a foundation for a healthy relationship with money and preparing for the financial challenges of life.

This year’s keynote speaker is Joani Geltman, MSW, child development and parenting expert, who will delve into her top 10 parenting tips.

Free childcare is provided by Wakefield Academy. Kid Camp is a morning of fun activities for children ages 4-13 and children will be grouped by age and rotate through activities. Online registration for Kid Camp is required before March 17.

To view a schedule and description of workshops and to register, please visit the Parent University website at https://sites.google.com/site/wpsparentuniversity/home