13 September 2006, Belleville, Ontario— A special event is taking place on September 20. Barbara Coloroso, an internationally recognized author and speaker in the areas of parenting, teaching, positive school climate and nonviolent conflict resolution, will put on two presentations at The Empire Theatre, one for educators and one for parents/guardians, caregivers and community members.

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board strives to maintain safe, secure, caring school communities where students continue to experience academic and personal growth. As educators, we are committed to the education of the whole child—to their social and emotional development as well as their academic growth. The Board believes that through the continued exchange of ideas about best practices in social-emotional learning, educators and Board staff will be better prepared to assist students to not only succeed academically, but also grow up to be socially and emotionally competent adults.

Daytime workshop for educators

This workshop will provide solid, practical advice for educators on how to create a school climate in which students can become self-disciplined, compassionate, responsible, resourceful, resilient human beings who can act in their own best interest, stand up for themselves, and exercise their own rights while respecting the rights and legitimate needs of others. Barbara Coloroso will discuss the keys to good teaching; treating kids with respect; giving them a sense of positive power in their own lives; giving them opportunities to make decisions, take responsibility for their own actions, and learn from their successes and mistakes. Date: Wednesday, September 20, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., tickets $50, available through The Empire Theatre box office at 613-969-0099.

Evening presentation for parents/guardians, caregivers and community members

This presentation will be packed with solid practical advice for parents of children from toddlers to teenagers, describing how to utilize the very stuff of family life (chores, mealtime, sibling rivalry, allowances and more) to create a home environment where children can become self-disciplined, compassionate, responsible, resourceful, resilient human beings who can act in their own best interest, stand up for themselves and exercise their own rights while respecting the rights and legitimate needs of others. Date: Wednesday, September 20, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., tickets $10, available through The Empire Theatre box office at 613-969-0099.

A book-signing will follow both presentations.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND

Date: Wednesday, September 20

Where: The Empire Theatre, 321 Front Street, Belleville

Time: Daytime presentation: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

           Evening presentation: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board serves approximately 18,000 students each day at 46 elementary and 8 secondary schools. Supporting student achievement is the goal of 1,800 teaching and support staff who, in addition to the contributions of caring volunteers and community partners, share their passion for teaching and learning. The district covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south and Quinte West to the west.

For more information, contact:

• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, 613-966-1170 or 1-800-267-4350, extension 2354