First ever Madison County ‘Parent Academy’ shares resources, information

Approximatly 60 people attended the first ever Madison County School System “parent academy,” held Saturday at the Ninth Grade/Colt Academy/board of education office (old middle school building).


For starters, parents were offered an overview by keynote speaker sheriff Kip Thomas, who spoke of office’s services to the school system and its students, including the new school resource officer, the CHAMPS program and safety seat checks.


“You’re the biggest part of your child’s life, more than anyone else,” Thomas told parents. He encouraged them to find out more about the sheriff’s office and its services to citizens by visiting their new website at www.madisoncountysheriffga.org


Parents were also offered several workshops on topics including bullying, positive behavior at home, cyber-bullying, V Math and resources for students with disabilities.


The sessions were followed by a free soup and salad lunch and a school supply give-away sponsored by the Madison Area Resource Team (MART). Several local agencies attended the event as well to give parents the opportunity to become familiar with their services.


Organizers of the academy said they were encouraged that parents who attended indicated that they would like to see more events similar to this one in the future. The school system plans to offer the parent academy on an annual basis.