Clovis Unified offers free parent workshops on a variety of topics

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- Clovis Unified School District is working to support parents through the many challenges of raising kids.

One way they're doing that is by gathering parents together throughout the year for evenings filled with information at Parent Workshops.

"Really, the purpose of those is to connect with families and provide them with resources and information that can help them support their students' education at school and also support them at home," CUSD Dir. of Supplemental Services Robyn Snyder said.

The free meet-ups are open to parents of TK to 12th-grade students.

While some meetings may lend themselves to a certain age group, all parents are welcome.

For instance, for parents of younger students, there will be a Literacy Night on February 5.

A published author will visit and share tips on keeping kids' attention.

"The author will come, share their story, how they became an author and then also share some reading strategies, things to do at home to make reading engaging with their students -- that are also things that their students might see in the classroom," Snyder said.

Light dinner and childcare are offered.

There are also translation services available.

Snyder says they choose topics based on student and parent feedback.

That's how the first-ever Artificial Intelligence workshop was created.

"So we didn't originally have an AI night planned, but just based on the things that we were hearing from parents and from our school site leaders, we added a parent night on that, which was very well attended, and parents asked for a part two," Snyder said.

Now, they're preparing to expand that workshop in the future.

In March, they are planning a fentanyl awareness night to teach parents about the dangers of fentanyl, what parents need to know and how to help support those who need it.

Snyder says the workshops are meant to be an added resource for all parents in the district.

"Really, we're just hoping that they walk away with something that they can use at home, something that will make a difference in their child's life, and then we'll help support them. I'm a parent of four kids myself, and I know how hard it is right now to raise four kids, so really, our goal is to provide that additional support for them," Snyder said.

The workshops are held at the CUSD Professional Learning Center at Clovis and Herndon.

You can find more information on Clovis Unified's website.

For news updates, follow Jessica Harrington on Facebook, X and Instagram.