Newsletter for February 22, 2008
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence." Robert Frost
HELP Center Announcements
FYI Student Parents - March Hours at the SPHC
The SPCH will be short staffed or closed at times during the month of March. Please note the following if you need assistance from the SPHC during March:
* The SPHC will be closed completely (no staff, no center) on Thursday and Friday March 13th and March 14th
* Only Jerri and Susan will be available during Spring Break week (3/17 – 3/20)
* SPHC will be closed completely on Friday, March 21, 2008 (official holiday at the U).
*Susan will be out from March 7 - March 17th due to a conference & vacation
* Susan will also be out for a conference on *March 26, 27 and 28*
Updates will also be available on our main line message 612-626-6015, so when in doubt call the center first before attempting a walk in visit.
Reminder - Cell Phone Policy
The use of cell phones has become a distraction for students working and studying in the SPHC. The new cell phone policy is that students who wish to talk on their cell phones should take their calls outside the Center. There are benches in the hallway and an alcove by the vending machines and one under the stairs where students can talk on cell phones without distracting SPHC studiers or other nearby offices.
It is important that students can work and study in the SPHC with minimal distractions.
Reminder, the student phone (in the corner attached to the fax machine) is still available for students to use. We request everyone keep phone calls short and use a quiet voice to respect other students working/studying in the Center. We do not mean to be heavy handed with rules, but we have such a small, multi-purpose space that we have to be conscious of these things to make the space work for everyone as much as possible. Thank you!
Save the Dates:
Panel on Social Work and Social Justice
Wednesday, April 9th 2008
3-5 p.m. at the SPHC
Please join us for an exciting panel discussion this afternoon to learn more about careers and graduate education in the fields of social work and social justice. We will be welcoming Kate Walthour, Director of Admissions at the School of Social Work, and Lisa Albrecht, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies at the School of Social Work. We will also have a graduate student parent on the panel to discuss their journey through graduate school at the U of MN.
All student parents are welcome and encouraged to join us for this great opportunity to learn more about social work and social justice!!
End of Year Celebration and Graduation Party
Sunday, May 18, 2008
The date we are planning to hold this fun, family friendly event is Sunday, May 18, 2008. We are hoping that having it on a Sunday will eliminate the interference with finals and college graduations. You will be receiving an official Evite invitation in the weeks ahead.
This is a great event where we honor all our student parent successes and graduating students. We will provide a wonderful lunch, a Piñata and other fun for the kids! This is a great time to share food, fun and congratulate yourself and this year's graduates for another successful year at the U!!!! This event is open to all current and former students of the SPHC.
PASS Group
Parents as Students Support Group
Wednesdays 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
The Student Parent HELP Center meets weekly on Wednesdays from 12:00-2:00 in Room 24, Appleby Hall.
The group provides the opportunity to connect with other student parents, discuss the challenges and joys surrounding academic studies and parenthood and share a FREE lunch with your fellow SPHC friends.
The direction of the group will be determined in large part by your needs and ideas. Your willingness to share experiences and personal challenges will undoubtedly help others, so we hope you will join us as often as you can. Feel free to come for all or part of the group and remember that you are not obligated to come every week. Simply come as often as your schedule allows. (Your little ones are welcome!!). See below for upcoming group topics.
March, 5th, 2008: A presentation by Nimo Yusuf, a former student parent, and now educator with the University of Minnesota's Extension program. She will be helping us understand the best ways to explore nutritious and healthy meals for families and kids.
March 12th, 2008: Josh Casper from the Office of Conflict Resolution will join us today. We will discuss disputes in the classroom, workplace or elsewhere on campus. Take this opportunity to acquaint yourself with the Student Dispute Resolution Center.
Note: Please know that the SPHC staff does not want student parents to skip class in order to attend the weekly group meetings. Academics are considered student parent’s priority at the U. If there is a specific topic you are interested in and you are unable to attend group, please inform a staff member and we will be happy to provide information to you afterwards.
If you have suggestions for a specific topic or program, contact Jerri Wagner or
Katie Schoeppner
at sphc@umn.edu.
We Need You…
The Student Parent Association (SPA) is a University student group specifically designed to address the issues facing student parents on campus. As the new academic year gets underway, SPA is looking to enroll new members and officers. Membership and officer application forms are available on their website under the “Links” tab. Complete applications can be returned to Susan Warfield, via email attachment sent to her direct email address: warfi002@umn.edu.
We will also have applications available at the HELP Center and you can attend a meeting and sign up then as well. Meetings are held each Friday from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM in the Student Parent HELP Center. This type of engagement looks wonderful on a resume and goes a long way toward increasing the visibility of student parents at the U of MN. Please visit their website to learn more: www.tc.umn.edu/~umspa/
Opportunities to Share
Student Parent Success Stories
We would like to continue featuring announcements of student and family successes as regular newsletter items. If you will be graduating at the end of fall term, are welcoming a new child, purchasing a home, getting married or experiencing any related event that you would like to have us post in the newsletter, please send the details to the SPHC email address, spch@umn.edu. We would be proud and honored to share in celebrating these wonderful life transitions with you and your families.
Photo Gallery
Sharing photos of our children and families is a great way to get to know each other. If you have a photo of your child(ren) or family and would like to see it featured in one of our upcoming newsletters, send it as an e-mail attachment to sphc@umn.edu.
A GREAT Resource for Students right in Appleby Hall!!
College of Education & Human Development
Exploratory, Transition and Career Services
room 127 Appleby Hall
The ETC Services center is available on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 p.m. The center is staffed by professionals, and students will find three computer stations, handouts to further their job search, and a variety of information to support major and career decision making.
ETC Services also offers transition guidance support by providing materials that help students prepare their applications for CEHD majors. Stop in to see the full array of resources we offer to support students as they prepare for majors, internships, and the world of work. Or check out the website at http://cehd.umn.edu/ETCS/default.html
Choosing and changing a major
Explore your "MAJOR" options
Learn about major options and how to prepare for any major within the University.
Transition guidance
For students coming into or leaving CEHD
Visiting adviser program
Sign up for an individual appointment with an adviser from another college.
Current career events and job fairs
Multicultural career resources
Career assessment
Take an interest and/or personality career assessment inventory.
Volunteer, service learning, and internship resources
Looking for a volunteer opportunity?
Looking for a service learning course?
Preparing for the job search
Virtual mock interview -Interview Stream
Cover letter and résumé resources
Databases and search engines to find job openings
2007 best places to work in the federal government rankings
What are you doing after graduation?
Student Parents can check out more resources and information at the Exploratory, Transition and Career Services website: http://cehd.umn.edu/ETCS/default.html or feel free to walk right on upstairs to Appleby 127!
Parenting Information and Resources
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
It is time to start thinking about filing a FAFSA for next academic year. You can visit the FAFSA website at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm for questions and to complete an electronic version of the application.
For updated information, including changes as the result of a new federal law that went into effect July 1, 2006 you go to the following link (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/hera.htm) to determine if the changes will impact your student aid. Please review this information carefully, as some of it has to do with what age a student needs to be to file as an independent student. The lowering of this age limit could impact many of you who are living out of the family home and have had trouble being declared independent in the past due to your age.
AccountAbility Minnesota (Taxpayer Assistance Program)
The Taxpayer Assistance Program was established with the belief that a taxpayer's access to tax assistance should not depend solely on his or her ability to pay for such services. TAP operates annually from February through April. Volunteers help low-income individuals complete their federal and state tax returns at sites throughout the Twin Cities area, St. Cloud and Duluth. Free tax preparation assistance is available to individuals with an annual income of $27,000 or less per year and families with an annual income of $37,000 or less.
The Taxpayer Assistance Program is accepting appointments and walk-ins beginning January 30, 2007. To schedule an appointment, obtain locations, or for more information you can contact AccountAbility Minnesota at 651-287-0187.
Parent Warmline 612-813-6336
The Parent Warmline is a free consultation service for parents provided by Children’s Hospital. If you have questions or concerns about behavioral or developmental issues such as toilet training, discipline, sleep patterns, temper tantrums, fears, etc., call this free hotline (612-813-6336) and leave your name, telephone number and a brief description of your concern. Within 24 hours a professionally trained volunteer will call you back to offer practical advice, encouragement or community resource referrals. Please note that the Parent Warmline is a non-crisis, non-medical service. This service is free to parents who live in the Twin Cities metro area.
211, First Call for Help
Looking for information on childcare, food, housing, transportation or senior services? The Minnesota 2-1-1 database lists more than 10,000 organizations and 40,000 services throughout the state. Just dial 2-1-1 (or 651-291-0211). It's free, confidential and available 24/7. Trained information specialists can connect you to more than 40,000 community resources. Multi-lingual lines are available Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm.You can also download a copy of the 2-1-1 application and database (http://www.ctkodm.com/gtcuw/211_app/ ) directly to your computer. By doing this, you will be able to search for resources at any time without needing an Internet connection.
University of Minnesota Extension Service
The University of Minnesota Extension Service offers a host of resources for Minnesota parents. Please bookmark the following website for access to answers and advice regarding a number of common parenting questions. http://www.extension.umn.edu
Mom Talk!
Looking for a place to learn from other moms, share resources, recipes and experiences? Visit www.momtalk.com. This is a great online forum with information on health and wellness, upcoming events, pregnancy and just about anything related to being a mom in the Twin Cities.
Are you looking for specific information for your County?
If so, please check out the following links for metro Counties:
University of Minnesota Extension Service
The University of Minnesota Extension Service offers a host of resources for Minnesota parents. Please bookmark the following website for access to answers and advice regarding a number of common parenting questions. http://www.extension.umn.edu
Energy Assistance
Whether we like it or not the cold is still here! Many Minnesotans will see significant increases in their energy bills, sometimes beyond the ability of some to pay. The Energy Assistance Program provides grants for individuals in need. Please visit the following link for more information: http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?id=-
Community Events and Activities
If you Give a Mouse a Cookie!
Children’s Theatre Company
2400 3rd Ave S. in Minneapolis
Come check out what happens when a seemingly innocent cookie request devolves into a series of escapades. The show runs through April 6, 2008 and is for children age 4 and up.
Typically runs Friday nights at 7:30pm. Saturday at 11:00am and 2:00pm, and Sunday at 2:00pm and 5:00 pm. For more information or to buy tickets, call 612-874-0400 or visit ChildrensTheatre.org.
Omnifest
Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W. Kellogg Blvd in St Paul
Come enjoy the large screen Film Festival during the four weeks of fun in March! They will be showing a rotation of favorites such as Everest, Amazon, Roar: Lions of the Kalahari, The Alps, Indonesia, and Dance of Life. Tickets for the shows are $7.50 for adults and $6.50 for kids. Please contact the museum with any further questions: (651) 221-9444, www.smm.org
Beneath the Surface
In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre
1500 E. Lake Street in Minneapolis
A new show that celebrates water through live performance, music and video. The show examines critical issues of water quality, quantity and ownership while giving children ideas to protect our planet’s precious resource! Tickets are $12 for students
March 7th – March 16th : Fridays and Saturdays @ 7:30pm & Sundays @ 2pm
Call 612-721-2535 or visit HOBT.org to buy tickets or to get more information.
Annie, Jr.
Wellstone Community Center
179 Robie St. E. in St. Paul
Come watch a version of the popular show that tells the tale of the spunky orphan determined to find her family! Tickets are $4 for students and $2 for children 5 and under. For tickets or more info please call 651.222.KIDs or visit YoungArtistsMN.org.
Northern Pacific Day
Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum
1021 Bandana Blvd. E. in St Paul
Sunday March 9th 12-5 pm
Check out what life was like in the good old days! Take a trip back to a time when stream engines, streetcars and busy train depots were common sites!
This non-profit museum has roots dating back to 1939. Since that time thousands of volunteer hours have faithfully reproduced Twin Cities railroad history to scale.
Tickets are $4 for adults and free for children under 5.
For more information call 651.647.9628 or visit TCMRM.org.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Ten Sundays each year the Art Institute hosts Family Days. These events feature music, art, dance performance and hands-on activities for kids. The next event, "Weathervanes and Whirligigs", is in January. There will be hands-on activities, live bluegrass music and access to the work of local artists. This event is free and takes place on Sunday, January 13th between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. There is no pre-registration required-simply show up between 11 and 5.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is located at 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404. Visit http://www.artsmia.org/ for more information.
The Bell Museum of Natural History
The Bell Museum of Natural History located right on our own U of M, East Bank campus offers two fun family events. Visit their website for more details: http://www.bellmuseum.org/calendar.html
Nature Play
A drop-in family program from 1-3 p.m. on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Free with museum admission. For families with kids ages 4 and older.
Nature Tots
A program for toddlers and preschoolers with their parents, held the first Thursday of every month from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Free with museum admission, but registration is required. Call 612-624-9050.
MN Science Museum
Did you know…families who receive any assistance in the form of WIC, MFIP, GA, MA, MN Care, SSI, FS, or Section 8 qualify for reduced admission rates at the MN Science Museum
. Just bring along current proof that you receive any of the assistance forms listed above, and you and your family can enjoy the Science Museum for the following prices:
Exhibits: $1.00
Exhibits + Omni Theater: $3.00
Please contact the museum with any further questions: (651) 221-9444, www.smm.org
Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday 9:30 am-5:00 pm, Thursday-Saturday 9:30 am-9:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am-5:00 pm CLOSED MONDAY
Minnesota Orchestra
Target Free Family Concerts
Check website for schedule and ticket information
www.minnesotaorchestra.org or call 612-371-5656
Guthrie Theater
Target Play Dates
Free theater workshops for kids ages 4-11,
with family matinee tickets
Check website for schedule
www.guthrietheater.org or call 612-377-2224
Hot Tip
New!! Scholarship Search
The University of Minnesota Undergraduate Scholarship Search went live for students on February 15, 2008. This new tool will show students an individualized list of University scholarships for which they may be eligible to apply. Students can log in from the scholarships page at onestop.umn.edu.
For current undergraduate students: the new scholarship search matches University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, scholarships with your student profile to give you an individualized list of scholarships for which you may be able to apply, brief scholarship descriptions, and links to where you can learn more. Check it out at University of MN Undergraduate Scholarship Search.
Quick and Easy Recipe
Frozen Fruit Cups
Serving Size: 1 muffin tin cup
Makes: 18 servings
Ingredients:
3 bananas
24 ounces of fat-free strawberry yogurt
10 ounces frozen strawberries, thawed, with the juice
8 ounces canned crushed pineapple, with the juice
Instructions:
1. Line 18 muffin-tin cups with paper baking cups.
2. Dice or mash bananas and place in a large mixing bowl.
3. Stir in remaining items
4. Spoon into muffin-tin cups and freeze at least 3 hours or until firm.
5. Remove frozen cups and store in a plastic bag in freezer
6. Before serving, remove paper cups and let stand 10 minutes
Enjoy this delicious and healthy treat!!
Grants Update
All Grant applications were due February 1st 2008.
The list for the CCAMPIS Grant is closed at this time.
Post Secondary Child Care Grant: First tier students who have already submitted applications have been processed and you should check your student accounts for an entry labeled, “MN State Child Care Grant” (same as Post Secondary CC Grant). When you see that hit your account the grant has been disbursed. At this point in time we do not know whether there will be enough money to cover the second tier students, but we will keep you posted.
All programs of the SPHC are available to undergraduates only.
COOL WEB LINK:
Global Children's Art Gallery
The Global Children's Art Gallery now features 1,050 pictures
by children from 67 countries.
Visit the gallery
" Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." 
Pablo Picasso
Featured Books
*Note* All of the books/CD’s listed below are available for check-out at the Student Parent Help Center
- Create an Organized Life: Simple Strategies and Expert Advice to Win the Battle against Chaos and Clutter by Marcie Zina Mager
- So this is Normal Too? By Deborah Hewitt
- Your Six-Year-Old: Loving and Defiant by Louise Bates Ames and Frances L. Ilg
- We Can Get Along, A Child’s Book of Choices by Lauren Murphy Payne, M.S.W.
- Sing Your Own Song: A Guide for Single Moms by Cynthia Orange
- Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber
- Expecting the Best: The Journey Toward A Healthy Pregnancy by Kathy King
- The Anxious Parents’ Guide to Quality Child Care by Michelle Ehrich
- Integrating College Study Skills by Peter Elias Sotirou
Who’s Who at SPHC
Susan Warfield, MSW, LICSW
As the Director of the SPHC, I am responsible for overseeing all programs of the Student Parent HELP Center and supervising SPHC staff. This has meant that I have had to step back from having the degree of direct contact with students I have always enjoyed having. This has been a difficult but necessary step for me to take in order to meet the administrative and financial needs of our growing program. If you have an issue that absolutely cannot be addressed by another SPHC staff member, you may schedule an appointment with me. These appointments should be booked through the SPHC front desk. Intakes and basic questions about services offered should be directed to Jerri Wagner, Rebecca Hassett, Katie Schoeppner, or Zer Xiong. I am entering my 8th year with the HELP Center and during this journey have moved from on-line staff, to Coordinator and now Director. With this evolution has come an increase in responsibilities and duties. Please know that even though you may not see as much of me in the actual Center as you may have in the past, I continue to work each and every day to bring you the programming, funding and visibility on campus that student parents need to have a successful experience at the U of MN. We are experiencing a bit of a crisis on the private child care funding side and I really need to devote most of my attention this year to finding more child care assistance and emergency grant funding in order to keep up with demand. Have no fear; you will continue to hear my raucous laughter echoing through the SPHC!
Jerri Clark Wagner, MSW, LGSW
I am the Direct Service Program Coordinator for the Student Parent HELP Center. Originally from New York State, I graduated from Syracuse University in 2000 with an undergraduate degree in theatre, with minors in sociology and women’s studies. After undergrad, I was an AmeriCorps volunteer for one year in Chicago, teaching arts integration on the west side in a Chicago Public School. In June of 2003, I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago. While in graduate school, I served as a therapist with Chicago’s Metropolitan YWCA, working with survivors of sexual assault and their families. From 2003-2006, I coordinated two statewide youth violence prevention programs for the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention in Chicago. Prior to relocating to Minneapolis, I spent March-June of 2006 traveling and learning abroad in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. I would love to talk about any of these varied experiences with you and really look forward to working with such an amazing and resilient population at the SPHC!
Rebecca Hassett
Hello! I am one of the new Graduate Social Work Interns this year. This is my first year in the MSW program and my first year at the U of M. I studied Political Science and Spanish at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. I am very excited to be working at the Student Parent HELP center; I think it is an amazing program with much to offer students. I will be helping Jerri out with group during fall semester and I can’t wait to get started. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you!!
Katie Schoeppner
Hello student parents! I am so excited to meet all of you and get to know you over the course of the school year. I am in my first year of the Masters of Social Work program at the U of M and will be interning here for the entire school year. It has been five years since I graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a degree in Psychology and Scandinavian Studies. Since graduating I have worked as a nanny in Sweden, as a program manager at an agency for adults with traumatic brain injuries, as a legal assistant at a small personal injury law firm and in the publisher’s office at the Duluth News Tribune in Duluth, MN. It is sure to be an eventful and exciting year!
Zer Xiong
I am the Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UGTA) for the Student Parent HELP Center. This is my second year as the UGTA. Part of my responsibilities is to assist you in the Center so feel free to ask me for help. Like you, I am also a student parent. My son Alexander will be 2 on November 27th, 2007. In May 2008 I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Family Social Science, and Public Health from the Inter-College Program. It has been a pleasure and privilege getting to know all the student parents who use our center and I am looking forward to another great year!
Comments, questions or ideas about useful information for this newsletter can be directed to Rebecca Hassett at Sphc@umn.edu.