FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2010
Rio Grande Valley MSHS Hosts 6th Annual Parent Conference
Edinburg, TX – TMC’s Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) program in the Rio Grande Valley Region in partnership with the University of Texas at Pan-American STAP (South Texas Advantage Project) College of Education hosted the 6th Annual Parent Conference at the University of Texas Pan-American. This year’s conference entitled “Celebrating Families: We All Count” encourages parents to actively participate in their children’s growth and development. This year’s conference was attended by approximately 300 parents and staff from the Rio Grande Valley Region including eighteen (18) exhibitors from throughout the Valley. Exhibitors provided information to participants and were able to network with parents on their agencies services.
The conference was divided into sessions which included the following topics, Me and My Credit, Marital Satisfaction, Red Flags on Development, Safety Tips and Crime Prevention, Texas Health Steps, Getting Ready for Kinder, Learning to Read with Environmental Print, Child Obesity, Breastfeeding and Using Your Texas Medicaid in Other States; and many others. The keynote speaker, Jose E. Cavazos, Couples Education Specialist with the Hispanic Active Relationships Project (HARP) spoke of how "Everyone Counts" in the education of their children. Mr. Cavazos focused on family values, how parents should keep a close bond with their children, maintain constant communication and spend as much time together as a family.
“We know that the involvement of parents in their children’s education is directly related to achievement and success in school. We also know that the earlier this involvement begins, the better and more powerful the effects will be on children’s learning. Parental involvement is encouraged and greatly valued at TMC”, stated Dr. Mary Alice Reyes – TMC Rio Grande Valley Regional Administrator.
During the Conference top parent volunteers were recognized for their assistance in the success of each Center. Top volunteers recognized were: Eduardo Bermudez – Edcouch I Center and Alma de Joyos – John Cornyn Center. Along with recognition of top volunteers from each center, the region also recognized their top parent and community volunteer for the region.
For further information contact Dr. Mary Alice Reyes, TMC Rio Grande Valley Regional Administrator at 956-464-5000.
