Our goal is to provide advocacy sessions that will empower parents to help their children be successful throughout the school year and beyond. These sessions are also designed to support family growth and sustainability. These sessions were suggested and developed with Parents Challenge parents.
THESE SESSIONS ARE DESIGNED TO BE A RESOURCE FOR PARENTS WHETHER THEIR CHILDREN ATTEND PUBLIC, CHARTER, OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR CHOOSE TO HOMESCHOOL.
These sessions are not geared to tell parents what to do, they will be geared to provide parents with tools and resources to make informed decisions regarding their child’s education that can be applied at school or at home. Ideally, these sessions help parents to ask questions, seek additional support, develop goals with their children, learn to assess performance data and develop skills to monitor their students’ overall progress. These sessions also support low-income families with financial and community resources.
2024 Parent Schedule
FALL Semester
If you are not a current Parents Challenge family and would like to attend our Parent Empowerment Sessions, please click the link below and we will provide you details for attending the session(s). Sessions are virtual and in-person.
Maroon – Mandatory Empowerment Sessions
Blue – Regular Empowerment Sessions
Orange – Multi-Session Empowerment Track
ALL sessions must be attended to receive CREDIT for the MULTI-SESSION TRACK.
Purple – Events
SESSIONS WILL BE HELD VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON
Date
Topic
Time
August 5th
Monday
Session #1
(In-person)
NEW FAMILIES
How to Prepare for Parent Teacher Conferences
(MANDATORY Session for New Parents in Private, Public & Charter School Options)
You are your child’s first teacher and studies show that children with involved parents are more likely to enjoy school, graduate, have better social skills and more opportunities in life. This session is designed to assist parents in equipping themselves with all the tools to support their child’s education – Day One & Forward.
Sand Creek Police Station
950 Academy Park Loop, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dr. Wendy Birhanzel
Superintendent, HSD2
August 8th
Thursday
Session #2
(In-Person)
HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES
(MANDATORY Session for New Parents in Homeschool and ALL Homeschool Families Welcome)
Are you new to homeschooling or a seasoned veteran looking to enhance your approach? Don’t miss our school year launch meeting featuring a keynote address by Debra Nelson, veteran educator with 17 years of homeschool experience, coupled with 20+ years in both public and private education.
What to Expect:
Insightful Keynote: Gain valuable wisdom and practical tips from our seasoned speaker.
Panelists: Engage with a diverse panel of homeschool parents who will share their personal journeys and insights.
Discussion/Q&A: Contribute to the discussion with your own questions and expertise.
Resource Tables: Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC), Plumb Forensics & Colorado HomeSchool Music
Whether you’re just starting out or seeking to refine your homeschool strategy, this session promises to equip you with the tools and inspiration you need for a successful school year. Use this opportunity to connect with a supportive community of homeschooling families and kick off the school year with confidence and enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing you there!
Sand Creek Police Station
950 Academy Park Loop, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Debra Nelson
MA, TESOL
Tables
-Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC)
-Plumb Forensics
-CO HomeSchool Music
August 15th
Thursday
Session #3
(In-Person)
ALL FAMILY MANDATORY
(Session is for Everyone)
What does it feel like to be embarrassed, humiliated or laughed at in front of others? Have you ever felt that way or have you ever done that to others? Learn how to stand up for people and how to not bully or be bullied. Learn how to show respect, value those around you and build trust, credibility and morale.
Focus on the Family
8655 Explorer Drive, C/S 80920
(enter main entrance, look for flags)
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Bob Lenz
Dignity Revolution Founder
September 10th
Tuesday
Session #4
(Virtual)
PIVOT: MAKING THE SHIFT FROM ELEMENTARY TO MIDDLE SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL
(Session is for Parents & Scholars)
When transitioning from one level of education to another, there are many changes to anticipate. From the number of teachers to how you engage to preparing for your future, Dr. Regina Lewis will share meaningful and intentional steps to help you make the most of these significant pivot points in life as a parent and a scholar.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dr. Regina Lewis
Professor Emeritus
Regina Speaking, LLC
September 16th
Monday
Session #5
(In-Person)
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
(Session is for Parents)
In this Emotional Intelligence Training you will be guided through an interactive and self-reflective process which includes:
- Tools to help you develop greater self-awareness, confidence, and resilience and ways to strengthen your ability to control negative emotions and identify.
- Applying the four core emotional intelligence competencies of social awareness, self-management, relationship management, and self-awareness in everyday life situations.
- Learning to better respond to difficult situations, improving interpersonal communication, empathy for others, self-regulation during stress, setting proper boundaries in life, taking the appropriate responsibility for your actions and positively navigating through seasons of change and transitioning.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dr. MelindaJoy Mingo
Founder Significant Life Change, Inc.,
Leadership Coach, Communication Professor, International Consultant of Innovative Leadership Strategies
September 19th
Thursday
Session #6
(Virtual)
HOW TO COOK IN MIDDLE SCHOOL & LEAVE NO CRUMBS
(and find out what this means)
(Session is for Scholars Middle School Age)
Are you entering middle school, or have been there a year or two, and feel lost as to how to make friends, get along with teachers, and feel good about yourself? Attend this session to learn how to gas up your social game and become your own Bestie”
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Eliza Love, MA
Watson Jr. High
6th Grade Teacher & Parents Challenge Family
September 21st
Saturday
Sessions #7 & #8
(In-Person)
There are several options to choose in joining us for Career Day.
Option 1: Attend BOTH the session & the fair.
(4 hours credit and an extra entry in the laptop drawing)
Option 2: Attend the College & Career session (2 hours credit)
Option 3: Attend the Trade Fair (1 hour credit)
CAREER DAY
COLLEGE & CAREER SUCCESS
(Session is for Parents, Middle & High School Scholars)
The next step, college…then what? Earning a degree or certification is a major step toward building your future. What do I do now? In this workshop you will learn how to find and land the ideal job for you in today’s market. Course book will be provided.
TRADE/VOCATIONAL SCHOOL FAIR
(Fair is for Everyone)
Not sure about college…there are many other options when it comes to having a successful future and career. We have invited trade, vocational and tech schools to share their programs and opportunities with you. This event is FREE for all of our families to attend – ALL ages welcome. Laptop giveaway and other prizes
Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs
4405 N. Chestnut St. Colorado Springs, 80907
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Kristi Smith, MBA
Instructor – Colorado Early Colleges, Colorado Springs
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Bankwork$ Goodwill
- Colorado Enrichment Centers
- Intellitec
- Opus Collective
- Pikes Peak State College
- PIMA
- Project Diakonia
- PTEC
- Pikes Peak State College
- PIMA
- Project Diakonia
- PTEC
September 24th
Tuesday
Session #9
(In-person)
ELEMENTARY MATH
(Session is for Elementary Scholars)
Join Mary Ann for some tips and tricks on how to tackle word problems. This session will help build mathematical reasoning and applications to real life scenarios and will familiarize you with the vocabulary associated with mathematical symbols to make sense of the problem.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mary Ann Hubl
Owner, Math ETC LLC
Tutoring, Speaker
September 25th
Wednesday
Session #10
(Virtual Lunch & Learn)
PARENTING: PILLARS FOR SUCCESS
1 HOUR CREDIT SESSION
(Session is for Parents)
This session is for parents with children of all ages. You will focus on building effective communication and overcoming hurdles through a discussion on contaminated vocabulary and the impact it has on communication. You will also learn how positive behavioral terminology and silence can benefit and improve communication in your household.
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Sandra Kwesell,
MSC, MFCT
Founder, Pillars for Success Author, Instructor
September 26th
Thursday
Session #11
(Virtual)
CORE PURPOSE: THE GROWTH MINDSET
(Session is for Parents)
This session will introduce the Neuroscience of the Growth Mindset, which includes “changing my thinking” to discover Purpose, create healthy relationships, increase emotional intelligence, enjoy satisfying careers, and engage in the community.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Victoria Jeffs
Executive Director
Day 2/Day 2 International
October 1st
Tuesday
Session #12
(In-Person)
COOKING MATTERS: LET’S COOK TOGETHER
(Session is for Parent and Scholars ages 10 and over –
Space is Limited to 10 pairs of parent/scholar)
This session will prepare parents to collaborate with their children to discuss safe, age-appropriate tasks in the kitchen, practicing child-friendly steps, basic knife skills and making healthy meals and snacks everyone will enjoy.
Care and Share Food Bank
2605 Preamble Pt. Colorado Springs, CO 80915
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Jessie Henderson
Cooking Matters Program Manager
October 5th
Saturday
COS I LOVE YOU – FALL CITYSERVE
Platinum families will be notified on BAND
Project Locations TBD
Morning & afternoon projects
October 7th
Monday
Session #13
(Virtual)
SUSPECT YOUR CHILD IS NOT READING AT GRADE LEVEL?
(Session is for Parents)
Do you suspect your child is not reading at grade level? This session will help you identify and recognize early warning signs. We will also discuss action plans and when is the right time to implement a plan. We will also cover the types of support and resources available and whether you should get your child tested.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Holly Van Wieren
MACI, CALT
October 10th
Tuesday
Session #14
(Virtual Lunch & Learn)
ETIQUETTE:
THE SILENT SIDE OF COMMUNICATION
(1 HOUR CREDIT SESSION)
(Session is for Parents)
Because people’s snap judgments can often impact you, you only have 1/10th of a second to make your best impression. Understanding etiquette is more than just knowing how. “Those who know why always outshine those who know how.” Join Dr. Regina Lewis in this interactive, fun, and informed-filled session as she teaches you some essential etiquette skills to help you communicate your best self without saying a word.
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm
Dr. Regina Lewis
Professor Emeritus
Regina Speaking, LLC
October 15th
Tuesday
Session #15
(Virtual)
CORE PURPOSE: HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
(Session is for Parents)
Healthy relationships are at the heart of Quality of Life and robust mental wellness. Relationships will either take us closer to our Purpose or move us away from it. In this session, learn the Neuroscience of Healthy Relationships and how to IDENTIFY and CHOOSE healthy relationships over unhealthy ones.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Victoria Jeffs
Executive Director
Day 2/Day 2 International
October 16th
Wednesday
Session #16
(In-person)
HIGH SCHOOL MATH
(Session is for High School Scholars)
Join Mary Ann in this math session for high school scholars. Learn visualization for showing relationships between numbers, the vocabulary associated with the coordinate plane and how to identify and plot locations on the x-axis and y-axis in each quadrant.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mary Ann Hubl
Owner, Math ETC LLC
Tutoring, Speaker
October 24th
Thursday
Session #17
(Virtual)
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
(Session is for Parents)
What is autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? What are the symptoms of ASD? What happens if I suspect my child is on the spectrum? An estimated 1 in 36 children have been identified with ASD. Join this session to learn more about the signs and symptoms of Autism and understanding how that effects their behavior, communication and learning style.
6:00pm – 8:00 pm
Jennifer Gosselin Hills
MA, BCBA
Director of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Springs Learning Community
October 28th
Monday
Session #18
(Virtual)
CORE PURPOSE: PERSONAL GROWTH
(Session is for Parents)
This session will focus on how mental health is key for personal growth, gaining maturity and understanding how to problem solve. Learn vital skills to lead, guide, direct and problem solve, which are essential in healthy personal and professional relationships. You will also learn about different types of motivation people use and which style will best promote their Purpose.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Victoria Jeffs
Executive Director
Day 2/Day 2 International
October 29th
Tuesday
Session #19
(Virtual Lunch & Learn)
PARENTING: PILLARS FOR SUCCESS
1 HOUR CREDIT SESSION
(Session is for Parents)
This session is for parents with children of all ages and will focus on exerting positive influence and achieving positive interactions with your children. You will learn how to implement this communication by understanding the action, reaction and interaction process. Understanding these steps will help you create new, positive cycles of communication in your household.
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm
Sandra Kwesell,
MSC, MFCT
Founder, Pillars for Success Author, Instructor
November 4th
Monday
Session #20
(Virtual Lunch & Learn)
YOUR SUCCESS SIDEKICK
(1 HOUR CREDIT SESSION)
(Session is for Parents)
Even superheroes have a sidekick, but if Batman is the most intelligent of all superheroes, why did he need Robin? No one achieves success on their own, so you may find this training helpful and a vital insight to realizing your goals. Dr. Regina Lewis will give you personal and professional tips to build your team of sidekicks who will always have your best interest and your back when you need people you can trust and rely on.
12:45 pm – 2:00 pm
Dr. Regina Lewis
Professor Emeritus
Regina Speaking, LLC
November 7th
Thursday
Session #21
(Virtual)
FINANCIAL FRAUD AWARENESS
(Session is for Parents)
The online world has given us many conveniences, but it has also given scammers a convenient place to compromise our personal and financial data. Learn to understand the threats, spot fraud and protect yourself from becoming a victim.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Pikes Peak Chapter of Credit Unions
November 12th
Tuesday
Session #22
(Virtual)
CORE KIDS: THE TRUTH DETECTIVE IN YOU!
(Session is for Scholars)
Our brains are hardwired, to tell the Truth. Using real brain images and experiments, we demonstrate what happens to your brain when you lie and when you tell the Truth. A real showstopper and a “never will forget” experience!
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Victoria Jeffs
Executive Director
Day 2/Day 2 International
November 14th
Thursday
Session #23
(In-Person)
COOKING MATTERS: MAKING RECIPES WORK FOR YOU
(Session is for Parents. SPACE IS LIMITED)
Want to change up your holiday cooking this year? This session will discuss how to adjust recipes to meet your family’s needs with a focus on delicious, healthier Thanksgiving sides.
Care and Share Food Bank
2605 Preamble Pt. Colorado Springs, CO 80915
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Jessie Henderson
Cooking Matters Program Manager
November 16th
Saturday
Session #24
(In-Person)
FRAMES YOUTH WORKSHOP
Using Comics to Unlock Student Potential
(Session is for Parents & Scholars Middle School and Above)
This workshop will utilize therapeutic practices and the power of storytelling to help students and their families discover their passions, purpose and power. By exploring a “turning point’ in their lives, participants become both the author and active protagonist of their own stories. In doing so, they learn to make choices towards a more positive and proactive future and gain awareness of how their stories impact the lives of others.
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Brink Literacy Project
November 21st
Thursday
Session #25
(Virtual)
NURTURING FATHERS: MOLDING A LIFE OF BELIEF & EXPECTANCY
(Session is for Fathers)
In this session, we will explore how men serving as father figures can take proactive steps to support and encourage children as they navigate life. We will look at how our own experiences, which we carry through life with us, can sometimes become an obstacle to the success of our children.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Colin Hueston
Certified Nurturing Fathers Instructor
Please be advised. These sessions could be changed or postponed due to instructor cancellations, school dynamics or limited enrollment.