QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test.
In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” Tom Bodett
Newsletter for October 23, 2007
HELP Center Announcements
New Sign-In Policy
As many of you have already noticed we are now asking all student parents to sign in before using the center. The sheet is located on the corner of the front desk and requires your name, the date and time you came in and your purpose for using the center. If you come in more than once a day, simply put a check mark by your name each time you’re here! This procedure will help ensure that only registered student parents are using the center and its resources. Also, it will help us keep track of how many students are using the facility– something we need to know for future funding requests. Thanks to all of you for your cooperation and please let us know if you have questions or concerns about the sign-in sheet.
Save the Dates: 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 welcomeJ). See below for upcoming group topics.
Wednesday, 10/24: Jan Merrell, head toddler room teacher at the University of MN Child Care Center, is coming to talk about Respectful Interactions and Responding to Kids' Emotional Needs.
If you have suggestions for a specific topic or program, contact Jerri Wagner or Rebecca Hassett at sphc@umn.edu.
Please remember that the center is closed during group on Wednesdays from 12-2 for all other computer use and studying spaces. Please come back in around 2 PM and we will re-open the doors. If you are going to join us for lunch, please stay at least 1/2 hour and join in the group in order to respect the food budget of the HELP Center Save the Date: Tuesday, November 6th, 2007 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM FOR STUDENT PARENT VISIBILITY DAY! As many of you know our two previous Student Parent Visibility Days were a huge success. We hope to continue to make this an annual event and have planned the 2007-2008 SPVD for November 6, 2007. We hope to attract even more teen parenting programs from the metro area to come learn about our program, gain exposure to higher education and listen to the experiences of some of our very own successful student parents. This event is also a great way to make our presence known on the U of M campus and an opportunity to enjoy free food!
We need student parent volunteers for this event!!!!!! Please let us know if you are interested in volunteering by emailing Susan at warfi002@umn.edu. We need help with the following areas: Greeting teen parent visitors, food service, and general meet and greet activities. If you are interested in any of these activities please email Susan with your hours of availability for that day, your name, contact info and student ID number and we will be in touch in the weeks ahead. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for November 6, 2007 from 11:00-3:00. Even if all you can do is show up and join the fun we need a good turn out, so if you can’t volunteer at least pop in for whatever amount of time your schedule allows. More details to follow.
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. 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/
Planning for Your Career
College can be overwhelming enough on its own, but the added pressure of planning a career post graduation can make it even more difficult. HOWEVER… there are resources and supports available to make the process easier. The job market is competitive and planning early for your career will pay off.Visit http://www.career.umn.edu/ for careersupport and services right here at the U of MN.
Workforce centers located throughout the state provide tools, resources and services to help you with your job search and career planning process. Learn how to conduct a creative job search, get resume help and tap into the state databases to search for jobs! Visit http://www.mnwfc.org/field/ to find a workforce center near you.
If you know what you want to do but are wondering whether prospective employers will provide the benefits that a working parent deserves, check out Working Mother magazine’s 100 Best Companies 2007 list at http://www.workingmother.com/web?service=vpage/859. These companies are assessed on their level of flexibility, leave for new parents, child care and work/life issues.
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.
Parenting Information and Resources
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.
Postpartum Support International
The mission of this organization is: “To promote awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing in every country worldwide”. If you or a family member or partner is struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety call their warmline at 1-800-944-4PPD for emotional support and resource referral. For more detailed information visit the Postpartum Support International website www.postpartum.net.
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 coming! 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=
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.
Community Events and Activities
Boo Bash: Saturday, October 27th, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
This fun event is free of charge and takes place on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. Kids and families can enjoy trick-or-treating at participating businesses, a pumpkin patch, face painting, costume contest, hay rides and more! Parents will love the free food samples and the sidewalk sales. Visit www.grandave.com for a complete schedule of events.
Great Pumpkin Festival: Sunday, October 28th, 1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Celebrate Halloween at the Landmark Center, 75 West 5th Stree, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102. This fun event includes a costume runway show, music and art projects, face painting, balloon creations, magician Fred Baisch and more!
Halloween on the Mall: Wednesday, October 31st, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Enjoy an indoor Halloween with your kids. This event will feature live entertainment and trick-or-treating in the mall. Located at the Eden Prairie Mall, 8251 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Twin Cities Celebrating Moms Expo:
Saturday, October 27th, 10:00 AM-9:00 PM and Sunday, October 28th, 11:00 AM-6:00 PM
This fun event features shopping, sampling, free massages, resources and more! Plus there will be free entertainment for the kids. The expo takes place at the Burnsville Shopping Center, located at I35W and I35E at County Road 42.
Guthrie in the Parks: Saturday, November 10th, 10:00 AM-11:30 AM
This free 90 minute class is offered to children ages 7-12 and introduces kids the exciting world of improvisation! The class encourages kids to think imaginatively and work cooperatively with others. For more information and to register call 612-370-4917. The class will be held at Folwell Park, 1615 Dowling Avenue North, Minneapolis.
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. November’s event is “’Round and ‘Round Georgia O’Keeffe” and will focus on the circle, spiral, oval, and other rounded forms in art and nature. Kids will create their own still life painting in the style of Georgia O’Keeffe and will enjoy watching circle dances from cultures around the world. This event is free and takes place on Sunday, November 11thbetween 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. There is no pre-registration required-simply show up anytime 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
Grants Update
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 thing 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.
Please contact us if you need further information. If you do not already have an application that means that you were not eligible to apply when we mailed applications in August. If you are an on-going student who registered late or filed a FAFSA late, you should contact us immediately to update your status if you have not done so all ready. That number is: 612-626-6015. New students registering with the SPHC will be waitlisted for grants dependent on availability of funds at the time of intake.
All programs of the SPHC are available to undergraduates only
COOL WEB LINKS:
http://www.mediafamily.org/facts/tips_tametube.shtml
Featured Books This Month
*Note* All of the books/CD’s listed below are available for check-out at the Student Parent Center
I Can Draw Dinosaurs by Terry Longhurst
Mario Andretti, The Complete Record by Mike O’Leary
Night-Night, Settle-Down Activities for Easy Bedtimes by Cynthia MacGregor
We Can Get Along, A Child’s Book of Choices by Lauren Murphy Payne, M.S.W.
Communication Miracles for Couples, Easy and Effective Tools to Create More Love and Less Conflict by Jonathan Robinson
31 Words to Create an Organized Life, Simple Strategies and Expert Advice to Win the Battle Against Chaos and Clutter by Marcia Zina Mager, 2 copies
Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen by David Walsh, Ph.D.
NO-Why Kids-of All Ages-Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It by David Walsh, Ph.D
Brain Tools: Say NO! to Frustration & Distraction by Dr. Gary Johnson (This is a stress relief CD for adults and teens)
COMING IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER: Fatherhood
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 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 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 Katie Schoeppner at Sphc@umn.edu.