For the first time Ridgeview High School is now holding classes, this program is made to get the parents involved and keep them in the loop when it comes to what they should know to help their kids succeed in high school. Parent University is held by multiple counselors on campus and while teaching they cover many topics throughout the six weeks. While Parent University might be new to Ridgeview is not a new program completely, this was just a task the counselors took on to further the parent involvement at Ridgeview High School. 

One of the counselors running the program is Lauren Figueroa, she has been a counselor at Ridgeview for nine years now and has a lot of passion for her job. Figueroa describes parent university as an opportunity to provide parents with skills and information that pertains to their students. She states, “ Our main focus is ninth and tenth-grade parents and is really for parents that just want to get involved with their kid on campus.” During this six-week course, they talk about topics such as the A-G requirements, how to receive college credits, dual enrollment, teenagers’ mental health, and how to connect with their kids better. Figueroa shares, “We try to cover as many topics as possible that would help strengthen their knowledge of their students on campus.”

Moving on, Figueroa mentions their goals for this new program. They would like to keep building the program and carry it onto the next semester as well as get more parents involved as far as attendance goes. Figueroa then goes on to share that Parent University will be held in the library from six to seven and is on Thursdays. She also adds that the program will be ending on December 7th. They have already held three weeks of Parent University so far and say that it has been going well. They just wish for more parent involvement and are hopeful that next semester this program will grow. 

In addition, Kianna Langston a parent who has been attending Parent University shared her thoughts on the program so far. Langston says, “I have a better understanding of the requirements and the various options available after graduation. It has also given me tips on how to communicate better to allow for more positive interactions, and we are having more conversations regarding her plans for the future so that she can meet the goals she’s set for herself.” Since attending the program so far Langston has already seen the benefits and taken what she’s learned to help her student set herself up for success, which is exactly what the counselors wanted for this program.

Lastly, as far as reaching out to parents and spreading the word the counselors have gotten banners to hang for advertisement, send out reminder messages, and send postcards home to inform the parents. They hope that this program only continues to grow from here and look forward to helping parents become more involved and aware of their student’s academics.