The W2MAGE (Western Wayne MI Alliance affiliate) is sponsoring a SENG Guided Parent Discussion Group. It will meet every Thursday beginning May 4, 2000 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm for the next 8 weeks. These guided discussions use the book, Guiding the Gifted Child, by James Webb, et al., as a basis for the discussions.

Meetings will take place in Livonia at Webster Elementary School. Cost is $35 for one person or

$50 for couple. Child care will be available at no additional cost.

Webster Elementary is located between I-96 and Five Mile Road on Lyndon Avenue just west of

Newburgh.

37855 Lyndon

Livonia, MI 48154

People planning to attend should RSVP to:

Suzanne Paulson - 734.522.5822 or

Karen Johnson - 734.427.5402 or

Kathy Mumm - [email protected]

A four session series-- Feb. 12, March 18, April 29, May 13--will run from 9:30-12:00 noon on each date.

Location: KISD. See below--limited openings.

Sessions are scheduled monthly so parent groups have time and opportunity to "practice" the course of action presented at each meeting, and then return to the next session for group discussion, and analysis and advice from the presenters. Thus, attendance is required at all 4 sessions.

PLT helps parents develop effective advocacy and leadership skills, and how to use these skills to create change in their schools and across the state.

Each session focuses on different topics: communications skills (with parent group,school district, state leaders), avoiding the "pushy parent" trap, issues in educating gifted students, educational decision-making strategies, insuring systemic change: the importance of policy, politics, networks and recruitment. Many PLT "graduates" from past workshops now "enjoy" positions of influence in their communities.

WORKSHOP LEADERS: Sue Vogel and Carol McCarthy. Both have long experience as Michigan educators and educational policy makers, and both are veteran advocates for gifted youngsters. PLT content is the synthesis of lessons learned through their work over the years while in roles of school board members,consultants, and parents.

REGISTRATION: 2-4 parents/district are recommended. Only a few openings still remain for this Grand Rapids series. School districts may pay as part of their commitment to increase parent involvement in the schools.

CONTACT: Mary Nell Baldwin, GT Consultant, Kent ISD. (616) 364-1333 x2284, Email: [email protected]