Parent Ed

I have to tell you, I am a parenting education junkie. I firmly believe that there is a seminar or program for every stage of child rearing, and I have personally participated in many of them. It’s my desperate attempt to keep my parenting skills sharp, which is why it’s nice to know the Center for Parents and Teachers has my back.

If you’re not exactly sure who CPT is, or you mix them up with other groups in town with the word “parents” in the title, you’re not alone. In short, CPT has professional staff that is committed to “supporting the positive development of children and families.” Their offices occupy a small corner of the Ripley building, tucked in with school administration and close to some of the preschool programs they were initially formed to support. Now CPT offers parent education from preschool to high school, as well as professional development programs for teachers.

Here’s what’s really nice to know: CPT collaborates with both Concord Carlisle Parents Initiative (CCPI) and the school PTGs to ensure that parents’ educational needs are met. And Executive Director Sally Quinn Reed keeps her finger on the pulse of those needs by staying in touch with school counselors and sending out periodic surveys to figure out what parents want to know. She also spends a lot of her time outside the office, observing presentations and finding out what programs are out there that might benefit parents here.

“We’re really the conduit for information to parents,” Sally told me. Because of this, CPT is poised to act quickly when issues arise in the community, and can bring in the appropriate professionals to help parents talk to their kids about sensitive issues. These professionals include experts in education, child development, health and psychology.

You’re probably familiar with some of their offerings, such as “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk,” or “Building a Positive Relationship with Your Teen.” It’s multi-part programs like these that provide parents with a deeper level of learning. But they also offer one-time programs, such as tonight’s “Just Say No” presentation at the high school.

Additionally, CPT keeps a lending library of parenting books in a storage room in the Ripley building — any parent is welcome to go in and check out the selection of topics. They also support the early childhood grades with curriculum boxes, meaning that teachers don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time they want to talk about transportation, among other subjects.

So how do they pay for all this? Well, CPT is supported in large part by the Community Chest, as well as some other foundations and grant programs. They also take donations directly from community members who want to support the great work they do. Because while some of their programs cost money to attend, the majority are free, which is a great benefit to the community.

I’ve been at this parenting thing for a while now, but there’s still plenty I can learn, and CPT has the resources at their fingertips. I’m so glad they’re willing to share.

Tonight’s program, “When ‘Just Say No’ Isn’t Enough: How to Safeguard Your Teen from the Dangers of Substance Abuse” takes place at 7:30 p.m. in the . Presented by Dr. Scott E. Lukas, Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School and Director of Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory at McLean Hospital, this presentation will cover the following:

• How alcohol, tobacco and drugs significantly affect the developing adolescent brain.

• Red flags that signal substance use and abuse.

• Ways to guide your kids to stay clear of these substances.

Do you have something you would like to share? Contact me at stefanieac@comcast.net or Maureen at mcb23@comcast.net, and we will be happy to help you spread the good news.