Parents, step-parents, brothers, sisters, step-siblings and half-siblings - the blended family is more prevalent than ever. Joint custody arrangements often mean that children switch between homes during the school week. How do these new family models impact a child’s education and how can parents help children adjust?
  
As principal of Princess Anne Elementary and a parent in a blended family herself, Krista Barton-Arnold has personal and professional knowledge on the importance of ensuring that blended families work together to support a student’s academic success. She shares her insights and some helpful parenting strategies as the Parent Connection’s guest columnist for February. Read her column now on the school division Web site.

Virginia Beach Schools' Parent Connection is designed to link families to community resources, activities, workshops and educational materials which support child development and success. Parents should mark their calendars for 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on February 7, 2009, when the school division will host its first large-scale Parent Connection seminar at Landstown High School. The event will feature keynote speaker Dr. Gerald Newmark, author of How to Raise an Emotionally Healthy Child. The first 300 program participants will receive a free copy of Dr. Newmark’s book (one book per family).  In addition, parents will have the opportunity to take part in numerous small-group sessions focusing on topics such as coping with family stress, financial literacy, special education, positive discipline, autism, and thriving as a single parent family, among others. For a complete schedule of events and list of sessions, visit the Parent Connection page of vbschools.com or contact Melissa McQuarrie, director of community relations, at 757.263.1936.

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