Take an educated Coffee Break

Mary A. Castillo

When PTA Coffee Break first began in 1997, it started with $50 and

several parent volunteers. As word of mouth spread, it grew from an

audience of 10 to 15 to as many as 100 parents with superintendents

and school principals.

“It makes parents aware of who their school leaders are, and the

leaders aware of the issues that are important to parents,” said

Patricia Bernard, former chair of the PTA Parents Education

Committee.

The Foundation for the Contemporary Family, headed by UCI

professor Judith Anderson, recently awarded the Parent Education

Committee a grant for $2,500. The money was used to purchase audio

equipment so that Coffee Break could be available in the form of

audio tapes for parents who cannot attend the meetings, said Betsey

Jenkins, chair of the committee.

Audio tapes are currently available for check-out at all school

libraries and the district office.

The grant has also helped the committee bring in renowned guest

speakers who give a presentation and take questions from parents.

“Our speakers are nationally known experts in issues about

children,” Jenkins said. “It’s a place where parents can come and ask

questions and share solutions.”

The next coffee break will feature Sandy McDaniel, creator of

ParentingSOS.com and columnist with the Orange County Register.

McDaniel will talk about specific disciplining strategies that are

positive, yet immediately effective for families.

“[Today’s] parents were parented by people who didn’t have a

clue,” she said in a phone interview. “And now they don’t have a

clue.”

McDaniel will begin her talk at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 16 at the Surf and

Sand Hotel, 1555 S. Coast Highway. Coffee, tea, muffins and pastries

will be available at 8 a.m. Admission is $5. For more information,

please call Betsy Jenkins, (949) 499-6270.