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From YouTube: Parent Connection - September 2016
Description
Description
A
Welcome
to
Parent
Connection
today
our
guests
are
Kathy,
Hayes
and
Karen
merits
from
Ridgeway
elementary
school.
Thank
you
for
joining
us
today.
Thank
you
for
having
I.
Thank
you.
Well,
first,
I
want
to
know
a
little
bit.
I
know.
You're,
really
active
volunteers
at
Ridgeway
and
ridgeway
has
some
really
great
things
going
on
with
parents
and
in
the
PTA,
but
tell
us
first
Kathy
and
you
can
start.
How
did
you
get
involved
in
volunteering?
Well,.
B
When
my
son
started
or
my
daughter
started
at
Ridgeway
10
years
ago,
I
started
by
going
to
a
PTA
meeting
just
wanted
to
hear
what
was
happening
in
the
school
and
decided.
I
should
attend,
and
once
I
was
there,
I
SAT
and
listened
to
what
they
had
to
say
and
went
back
on
a
regular
basis
and
the
longer
I.
Was
there
the
more
interest
that
I
became
and
then
I
started
to
realize.
There
were
many
opportunities
for
me
to
get
involved
and
I
was
asked
to
participate
by
helping
out
the
science.
B
Fair,
had
no
experience
with
science
or
any
particular
passion
or
interest
about
it.
But
I
knew
there
was
a
need,
so
I
said
sure,
and
then
I
got
involved
and
realized
how
much
I
like
being
part
of
the
school
and
helping
and
then
before
I
knew
it.
There
were
other
opportunities
where
I
stepped
in
and
helped
and
the
rest
is
ten
years
of
volunteer
history
will.
B
A
C
My
son
will
continue
as
a
third
grader
at
Ridgeway
elementary
and
I
started
somewhere,
similar
to
Kathy,
where
I
started
in
preschool
and
my
children
were
younger
and
did
room
parent
helping
get
supplies
in
order
and
when
my
children
entered
into
Ridgeway
I,
attended
PTA
meetings
to
kind
of
get
myself
familiarized
with
the
teachers
and
and
the
other
parents,
and
I
noticed
along
the
way
that
there
were
a
few
needs
with
how
the
volunteer
process
worked.
So
I
volunteered
to
help
reorganize
the
volunteer
process
and
later
became
the
volunteer
coordinator
and
then
the
following
year.
C
A
And
that's
really
important
to
get
parents
in
at
the
beginning.
Sometimes,
when
your
children
first
go,
I
mean
that's,
how
I
became
a
volunteer
as
well,
and
my
children
first
started
in
the
school
system.
But
if
what
would
you
say
to
other
parents
who
are
listening
and
they're
thinking
while
they
want
to
get
boned,
they
want
to
volunteer.
But
how
did
they
start,
and
sometimes
you
know
when
you're
brand
new
to
the
school?
A
And
maybe
you
don't
know
anyone
in
the
community
yet
because
that's
a
lot
of
times
how
we
meet
people
through
the
school
and
our
children?
Sometimes
you
feel
like.
Oh
there's
a
click
or
they
already
know
what
they're
doing.
What
would
you
say,
the
parents
that
they
wanted
to
get
involved?
What
would
be
a
good
step
or
very.
B
B
A
B
A
I
know
it
as
volunteer
coordinator
of
the
school.
You
probably
have
some
ideas
to
of.
If
they
just
aren't
ready
to
make
a
commitment
to
join
a
group
or
anything,
how
can
they?
What
could
they
do?
What's
the
first
step,
if
I
was
interested
and
I
wanted
to
volunteer
at
a
school,
what
would
you
tell
parents?
The
first
thing
to
do
well,.
C
I
always
encourage
parents
to
research
we've
as
our
PTA
we've
created
a
website,
so
we
put
ourselves
in
their
shoes
of
what
would
a
new
parent
want
to
know
about
our
events,
the
ins
and
outs,
so
they
can
kind
of
get
a
feel
without
actually
coming
and
attending
and
I.
The
second
thing,
I,
would
say
again
is
attend.
The
meetings
I
think
that's
a
very
good
way
to
get
your
your
feet
on
the
ground.
C
With
with
exploring
the
events
at
our
school,
we
started
signup
genius,
which
has
been
a
very
good
asset
with
allowing
parents
to
look
at
exact
times
and
shifts
and
dates
and
events,
and
they
can
actually
pick
and
choose.
They
have
the
luxury
of
saying
you
know
that
I
can
volunteer
an
hour.
This
works
into
my
work
schedule
again.
I
would
just
encourage
if
you're
one
of
those
people
that,
like
to
dip
their
toe
in
pick
an
event
and
come
and
volunteer
for
an
hour
and
just
try
it
out
and
see
or
asked
to
shadow.
C
Even
another
volunteer
and
say:
can
I
just
come.
I
want
to
see
and
learn
what
the
process
is
and
but
I
would
definitely
commend
researching
reading
old
pj
newsletters
to
kind
of
get
a
feel
of
how
the
school
runs
is
a
very
good
thought
for
learning
about
the
school
learning
about
the
events
and
when
they
take
place.
Back-To-School
night
is
a
very
good
place
to
learn
about
the
events
and
speaking
with
people
that
have
volunteered
before
I'm
always
open
to
receiving
emails
contact
your
PT
officers.
A
And
even
if
you
just
wanted
to
volunteer
starting
to
come
to
the
volunteer
orientation
and
lots
of
times,
I
know
it
at
schools,
that's
where
they
really
talk
about.
Here
are
some
opportunities
and
we
always
tell
people
if
you're
volunteering-
and
maybe
you
said
you
wanted
to
do
something
in
media
and
then
you
get
into
it
and
realize.
That's
not
really!
You
please
speak
up
and
tell
the
people
that
are
in
charge.
Don't
spend
a
year
doing
something
you
don't
really
like,
because
we
don't.
We
don't
want
to
burn
out
our
volunteers.
A
Do
something
that
calls
you
right.
You
know
that
you
enjoy
and
I
think
sometimes
I
agree
what
you
were
saying:
Cathy.
Sometimes
you
just
have
to
get
to
the
school
and
that's
where
people
do
become
friends,
because
once
you're
working
on
a
project
together,
you're
putting
those
hours
in
you
have
like
interest.
That
tends
to
be
how
people
really
can
make
other
friends
in
the
area
and
things
like
that
too,
and.
B
I
want
to
add
that
I
think
that
one
of
the
biggest
things
and
myself
included
and
I'm
a
pretty
seasoned
volunteer
so
to
speak
and
have
put
quite
a
few
hours
in
I
still
get
intimidated
or
maybe
a
fearful
that
I'm
going
to
get
roped
into
a
little
bit
more
than
I
have
time
right
and
so
even
now,
as
a
volunteer.
The
fact
that
we
have
sign
up
genius
is
wonderful,
because
you
know
I
have
my
certain
things
that
I'm
involved
in,
but
I
also
want
to
help
out
my
friends
and
their
committees.
B
Can
just
say:
ok,
half
an
hour
and
sign
my
name
and
I
know
I'm
done
in
that
half
an
hour
period.
Chances
are
once
you
get
there.
You
may
end
up
signing
up
doing
more,
but
I
think
for
parents
that
have
never
volunteered
before
just
knowing
that
a
little
bit
of
involvement
does
not
translate
into
taking
over
a
committee.
It.
A
All
in
alien
kind
of,
like
you,
said
dip
your
toe
in
see
how
you
like
it
and
see
what
interests
you
there.
Why
do
you
think
I
mean
I
know
at
Ridgeway?
You
all
have
been
successful
with
getting
volunteers,
and
we
know
that
all
schools
go
kind
of
in
peaks
and
valleys.
But
why
do
you
think
some
schools
do
suffer
with
really
not
having
the
volunteers
or
suffer
trying
to
get
volunteers
to
come
in
I.
Think.
B
One
of
the
big
misconceptions
people
have
is
the
idea
of
groupthink
that
we
are
600
students
in
a
school
and
they
are
putting
on
a
request
for
help
on
the
school
dance.
So
other
parents
have
to
be
signing
up.
I've
I,
don't
really
have
any
special
talent,
I,
don't
really
know
anything
about
the
school
dance,
so
I'm
not
going
to
sign
up
because
they
have
it
covered.
So
I
think.
B
The
very
first
thing
is
that
people
always
think
that
someone
else's
is
handled
right
and
myself
included,
because
sometimes
I
won't
necessarily
sign
up
right
away
for
something
that's
coming
up
and
then
I'll
get
on
later
and
sign
of
genius
and
I'll
say:
oh
gosh,
only
five
people
have
signed
up
I
thought
for
sure
it
would
be
filled.
So
just
making
yourself
aware
of
what's
going
on.
What
needs
really
do
exist.
I
think
is
important.
C
I
think
a
lot
of
times
it
works
in
both
ways.
We're
going
back
to
the
cliq
feeling
is
that
there
may
be
parents
that
don't
necessarily
have
a
connection
with
the
group.
That's
already
volunteering
but,
on
the
other
hand,
a
lot
of
parents
we
get
volunteer
because
they
have
that
connection
already
and
they
see
other
parents
that
they
know
and.
C
C
Sometimes
you
lose
volunteers,
because
the
leaders
aren't
watching
for
the
signs
that
maybe
a
volunteers
burned
out
or
they're
hesitant
to
come
in
and
volunteer,
and
so
speaking
from
from
that
role,
I
know
that
we
I
encourage
them
to
be
diligent
myself
as
well
of
tching
for
volunteers
that
may
be
hesitant
to
try
and
come
in,
and
you
want
to
encourage
them
by
reaching
out
to
them,
making
a
personal
connection
and
I
think
once
people
feel
a
personal
connection,
they'll
be
invested
differently
and
they'll
show
up.
I
also
have
noticed
one
of
the
issues.
C
Is
parents
are
really
eager
to
volunteer
in
their
own
child's
grade
or
an
event
that
only
involves
their
child,
and
I
would
highly
encourage
parents
to
look
outside
of
somewhere.
Your
child
will
not
be
attending.
You
get
a
great
idea
for
what
other
grades
do
what
what
goes
on
in
that
grade.
You
get
familiar
with
the
teachers
and
other
parents
for
that
grade,
and
you
really
make
connections
that
you
would
have
never
made
had
you
only
been
focused
on
the
grade
your
child
is
in,
and
its
branch
out
is
what
I
would
would
recommend.
A
Too,
I
really
do
because
I
think
sometimes,
and
there
are
some
schools
where
they
even
have
policies
that
you
don't
volunteer
in
your
child's
school.
Your
child's
classroom,
every
school
runs
it
a
little
bit
differently,
but
I
do
think
that
that's
important
and
too,
if
you're
at
the
school
level,
making
sure
that
people
say.
A
Thank
you
to
volunteers
and
we
say
that
to
staff
as
well
as
other
volunteers,
making
sure
you
know
we
we
can't
pay
you,
and
the
only
thing
we
can
do
is
praise
you
and
thank
you
so
really
letting
volunteers
know
how
important
what
they
are
doing
if
you're
standing
at
a
copier,
sometimes
maybe
for
an
hour
and
yours
that
can
get
boring
and
you're,
probably
thinking.
Sometimes,
why
am
I
doing
this?
I
could
be
doing
this
it.
A
But
if
you
understand
that
you
have
really
saved
five
teachers
from
fighting
for
the
copier
first
of
all
after
school,
when
they
all
have
the
same
time
or
before
school,
and
that
they're
now
going
to
be
able
to
free
up
all
that
time
to
plan
for
something
more
exciting
for
your
children
and
instruction.
It
really
does
if
they
know
why
they're
volunteering
and
what
their
task
is
really
how
it's
benefiting
the
school
and
their
child
I
agree.
C
B
Going
I
completely
agree
with
the
idea
of,
if
you're
into
something
and
you
think
they
don't
even
notice
or
they
don't
even
care,
it's
not
even
improving
their
day.
Why
am
I
doing
this?
But
the
nice
thing
at
least
at
Ridgeway
I
can
speak
to
is
that
they
go
out
of
their
way,
both
the
school
itself,
as
well
as
the
the
people
in
charge
of
the
PTA
to
make
sure
volunteers
are
appreciated.
It
makes
a
huge
difference.
I
know
the
school
puts
on
their
own
volunteer
appreciation
tea.
B
So
all
of
us
volunteers
get
to
come
in
and
are
treated
with
goodies
that
the
staff
makes
and
students
come
in
and
write
cards
and
thank
you
and
it
makes
a
difference
right
and
then
the
PTA,
the
those
in
charge,
we're
so
good.
At
saying,
thank
you
to
us
on
a
regular
basis.
I
mean
constantly
letting
us
know
we're,
appreciated
and
bringing
in
little
goodies
at
the
PTA
meeting
and
little
thank-you
gifts
and
things
like
that,
and
that's
obviously
not
why
we
do
it,
but
it's
certainly
held
on
to
let
you
know
that
you're
appreciated.
A
D
A
B
B
B
A
Like
that
whole
idea
of
the
conversation
starters
because
you
know
as
our
parents
just
ask,
would
you
learn
today-
is
kind
of
the
worst
question
Deborah
bright.
You
know
you
want
to
get
something
that
really
talks
about.
If
you
knew
they
were
reading,
something
if
you
know
what
they're
studying
science,
if
you
know
even
things
like
you
know
who
the
cafeteria
manager
is,
you
know
the
custodial
staff.
You
know
that
in
a
third,
if
they're
lagging
you
can
say.
Oh
did
you
see
mr.
Joe
today
or
what
did
what
was?
C
About
you,
I,
don't
I
agree
with
what
Kathy
and
yourself
mentioned.
I
think
that
you
know
we
encourage
all
parents
that
you
have
a
voice
and
when
your
present
in
that
school
and
you
see
things
that
could
be
improved
or
things
that
could
be
supported,
you're
living
by
example,
I
have
a
voice.
My
actions
mean
something
and
you're
showing
your
children
that
getting
involved
and
holding
the
power
to
work
towards
improving
or
a
solution
is
really
important
and
I
know
being
new
at
Ridgeway.
My
biggest
goal
was
to
learn
the
players.
C
I
didn't
know
any
of
the
teachers.
I
didn't
know
any
other
parents
and
being
there
was
the
best
education
I
could
get
to
open
dialogues
with
them
and
to
know
either
to
kind
of
help
them
navigate
a
difficult
day
or
two
just
know
who
they
were
speaking
about
and
to
kind
of
have
a
context
of
who's
in
the
school
and
and
I
think
it
benefits
both
them
and
myself
socially,
and
it's
a
win-win
situation.
B
A
B
B
So
lots
of
times
you
go
in
and
you
don't
even
say
a
word
in
the
back
of
the
class,
because
you
need
to
make
sure
that
what
you're
doing
isn't
disrupting
the
instruction
of
the
day.
I
think
that
we
have
to
keep
in
mind
as
a
volunteer
that
we
might
not
understand
some
of
the
rules
that
are
being
placed
upon
us
or
our
students.
But
we're
not
privy
to
everything.
That's
going
into
the
decisions
being
made.
I
think
that's
a
big
one.
B
D
B
Into
a
school
and
being
happy
and
positive
and
giving
those
high
fives
or
the
hugs,
when
they're,
appropriate
or
just
being
a
face
that
is
friendly
for
those
students
that
are
therefore
not
just
your
child,
but
for
all
of
them
right
to
make
their
day
a
little
bit
better
they're
doing
the
hard
work
and
in
the
serious
business
of
school.
So
let's,
let's
make
it
a
little
bit
better
and.
C
C
A
C
Are
there
as
a
role
to
then
help
the
next
person,
you
know,
put
a
hand
down
to
help
them
up
and
to
train
them
and
to
show
them
the
ins
and
outs,
because
the
officers
can't
always
be
there.
The
chairpersons
can't
always
be
there
to
trick.
Excuse
me
to
train
and
I
think
that
it's
very
important
that
you
absorb
as
much
as
you
can
and
be
a
positive
influence
to
encourage
next
set
of
volunteers,
because
we've
all
been
there.
We.
D
A
I
do
say
lots
of
times
to
volunteers.
You
need
to
keep
in
mind
that
children
don't
differentiate
that
you're
getting
paid
and
this
person
isn't
getting
paid.
You
know
they're
not
looking
at.
Oh,
this
is
paid
staff.
This
is
not
paid,
sat
it's
just
another
caring
adult
in
the
building
and
so
you're
that
role
model,
like
you
said
that
positive
attitude
they're
looking
to
you
to
help
them.
If
there's
you
know
they
have
crisis
sometimes
and
the
teacher
Cleo.
Could
you
take
them?
You
know
to
the
health
room,
or
could
you
do
that
there?
A
They
look
at
you
as
just
another
adult
in
that
building,
so
we
do
want
people
to
be
positive
and
be
that
role
model
for
them
and
sometimes
just
that
role
model
I'm.
Getting
to
know
them
really,
like
you
said,
helps
your
child
as
well,
because
it
gets
you
knowing
what's
going
on
in
the
school,
so
I
think
sometimes
volunteers
don't
realize
how
powerful
their
role
really
is.
C
A
A
And
that
is
the
truth.
You
know
once
the
students
get
to
know
you,
and
especially
people
like
the
two
of
you,
because
you
have
stuck
with
it
and
and
stayed
there.
So
the
kids
have
gotten
to
know
you
as
they've
gone
through
and
grown
up
at
Ridgeway,
and
that's
why
we
really
encourage
trying
to
get
pre-k
and
K
parents
right
at
the
beginning
right.
A
You
know
and
we
don't
want
working
parents
to
real
feel
like
they
don't
have
a
part
either,
because
there
are
things
if
you're
working
during
the
day,
you
can
still
do
and
after
school
things
and
taking
things
home
and
doing
them.
So
we
want
to
encourage
everyone
to
do
that.
If
you
were
thinking
like.
What's
the
one
thing
that
you
spent
your
time
on
it,
the
school
that
you
think
really
has
made
a
difference,
is
there
one
thing
that
you
would
say
I.
B
Would
probably
say
science
fair,
because
that's
where
I've
spent
the
majority
of
my
time
when
I
started
I
guess
I've
done
at
nine
years
total,
and
if
it
wasn't
for
the
PTA
and
volunteers,
then
there
wouldn't
be
a
science
fair.
The
teachers
don't
have
time
to
put
it
on.
It's
a
PTA
function,
it's
completely
optional
for
the
students.
So
really
we
need
to
go
in
and
encourage
the
students
to
see
the
value
in
participating
and
that
I
think
would
be.
B
My
greatest
contribution
is
that
the
students
think
that
science
is
fun
I,
think
they
realize
that
it's
that
it's
not
all
you
know
in
the
books
type
work
right.
They
get
the
benefit
of
realizing
that
anything
they're
interested
and
can
be
turned
into
a
great
science
experiment
and
getting
a
taste
of
what
actually
helps
progress.
The
world
that
we
live
in
right.
A
B
C
D
C
Always
be
in
the
school
I
do
my
best
to
make
sure
that
communication
and
information
is
shared
and
available
from
the
child
point
of
view.
Reading
is
very
important
at
Ridgeway.
Obviously,
our
chassis
program
is
huge.
Our
book
fairs
are
a
wonderful
event.
We
do
twice
a
year
and
one
initiative,
I
had
done
was
making
sure
a
book
got
into
the
hands
of
each
child.
That
may
economically
not
have
been
able
to
get
the
book,
and
we
do
that
twice
a
year.
C
We
raise
funds
on
purpose
for
that
exact
initiative,
and
so
we
do
drawings
for
kids
to
win
a
certificate
for
scholastic.
If
so,
there's
kids
that
have
the
ability
to
buy
a
book
that
they
may
win
the
drawing
and
then
working
with
our
guidance
counselor.
We
make
sure
that
the
other
kids,
that
are
a
disadvantage,
get
a
book
and
it
was
very
important
for
us
to
let
them
shop
instead
of
just
handing
them
a
book
and.
D
C
They
get
to
go
in
and
they
pick
their
own
book
with
their
own
scholastic
money
and
again,
we've
been
paid
with
smiles
and
the
teachers.
The
feedback
they've
said
they've
watched
that
their
faces
light
up.
So
that's
been
something
I've
been
proud
of
that
we've
worked
to
get
a
book
into
the
hands
of
kids
that
may
not
have
been
able
to
during
book
for
our
time.
Well,.
A
Looking
for
something
that
they're
interested
in
and
if
I
pick
the
book,
I'm
interested
in
it
I'm
probably
going
to
read
it
right
if
I've
picked,
it
so
I
think
that
that's
a
really
big
kudos
for
your
PTA
and
all
of
your
volunteers
who
have
worked
to
make
Chessie
so
popular
at
the
school
and
then
to
put
the
books
into
the
hands
of
every
student.
That's
really
a
goal
that
was
lofty
and
has
been.
A
You
know
something
that
I
really
hope,
as
we
have
other
listeners,
that
they're
looking
and
they're,
PTAs
or
ptos
are
saying
wow.
This
is
something
we
could
do
to
it.
Yeah
so
well.
I
really
want
to
thank
both
of
you
for
coming.
Today
we
really
enjoyed
hearing
about
volunteering,
how
to
get
started
and
volunteering
and
then
some
of
the
things
that
are
successful
at
Ridgeway,
that
we
hope
that
some
of
our
other
schools
will
implement
some
of
these
practices
and
really
grow
their
volunteers
like
you've
done
so.
D
Hi
I'm
Jodie
Russi,
the
supervisor
of
food
and
nutrition
services
in
the
host
of
Food
for
Thought.
Welcome
back
to
a
new
school
year.
I
hope
everyone
enjoyed
their
summer
break
today.
I
come
to
you
with
exciting
news
about
school
meals.
School
meals
offer
students
a
healthy
school
breakfast
and
lunch
this
year
we
will
continue
to
meet
and
exceed
federal
and
state
nutrition
standards
for
school
meals.
Ensuring
that
all
meals
are
well-balanced,
provides
students
with
the
nutrition
they
need
for
academic
success.
Every
day,
students
are
offered
unlimited
choices
of
fruits
and
vegetables.
D
Students
are
encouraged
to
select
up
to
two
cups
of
fresh
produce
each
day
from
one
of
our
unique
salad
bars
in
Anne,
Arundel
County.
You
may
also
monitor
your
child's
school
meals
account
online
at
my
payments
plus,
this
is
a
convenient
tool
that
Anne
Arundel
County
Public
Schools
offers
all
parents
to
make
managing
school
meal
accounts
a
simple
process
for
you,
your
child
and
the
school
to
learn
more
about
my
payments
plus
simply
visit
my
payments
plus
com
or
call
877
2370
946
registration
is
free
and
quick,
so
get
started
today.
D
Each
year,
families
have
the
ability
to
apply
for
free
or
reduced-price
meals.
The
application
to
apply
is
online
parents.
You
may
log
on
to
apply
for
meals,
a
acps
org.
The
process
is
fast,
easy,
convenient
and
it's
accessible
from
any
computer.
Remember
if
you
received
meal
benefits
last
year,
you
must
complete
a
new
application
each
school
year.
If
you
have
any
questions
regarding
the
application,
please
call
for
10
to
22
5900
and
we
will
assist
you
if
you
need
assistance
with
the
spanish
application.
Please
contact
the
bilingual
facilitator
from
your
school.
D
Thank
you
for
this
opportunity
to
provide
you
the
valuable
information
pertaining
to
school
meals.
All
students
in
Anne,
Arundel
County,
have
access
to
a
nutritious
breakfast
and
lunch
on
a
daily
basis.
These
meals
fuel,
their
brains
and
bodies
for
academic
excellence.
If
you
have
any
questions
regarding
the
healthy
school
meals
offered
in
Anne,
Arundel
County
Public
Schools,
please
contact
me
directly
at
410
22
to
5,900
thanks
again
and
can
tinued
to
watch
a
a
CPS
TV
and
tune
in
to
the
next
segment
of
food
for
thought.