ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - We've heard about the benefits of reading to your kids. But many parents struggle when it comes to helping their children read on their own.
St. Louis Public Schools can help train you to read to your kids, with the district offering parents the Parent University program.
"It is delivering on one of the promises that we had with Literacy for the Lou program, and that was to give more assistance to loved ones so they can truly help move the needles when it comes to helping with their students at home," said Dr. Latisha Smith, Executive Director of Student Support Services at St. Louis Public Schools on KMOX's Total Information A.M.
Parent University is a nine-week, 90-minute in-person learning experience for parents of current St. Louis Public School students. Classes will begin at 5:30 p.m. and end at 7 p.m.
"These workshops aim to empower our parents with the practical skills, knowledge and resources to actively participate in their children's learning journey," said Smith. "The best objective of these workshops is for families to receive the best information to develop parent groups, identify key resources and just make sure we have this effective school-to-home communication process that is going on in this district."
Parents who participate in Parent University will not receive monetary compensation for participation. All materials, meals, and graduation regalia will be provided without cost to participating family members.
Parent University will begin in September 2024, and culminate in May 2025.