By PAT NEWMAN
Staff Writer

Homework Helpers for Parents is the first seminar in the popular Lunch and Learn series provided by Fayette County Schools' Pupil Services.

It is scheduled for Sept. 14 from 9 - 11 a.m. at Huddleston Elementary, and noon to 2 p.m. at Peeples Elementary.

The session will be repeated Sept. 16 from 9 - 11 a.m. at Peachtree City Elementary and noon to 2 p.m. at Kedron Elementary. It will be led by Amy Shay, a school psychologist for DeKalb County.

According to Karen Spangler, social worker for the Fayette County School System and coordinator for Lunch and Learn, “If we can assist parents, then we can help children.” This is the fourth consecutive year the Lunch and Learn series has been offered free of charge to parents of children enrolled in the county's public schools.

Spangler said the program has received an extremely favorable response from parents who want more topic discussions and longer sessions. In response, 26 sessions ranging in topics from “Stress Reducers for Parents” to “handling Childhood Anger” will be offered.

Coming up Sept. 30 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. is “Living and Parenting in an Indulged Community” at Burch Elementary School, led by Kenneth Hoats, a counselor in the Fulton County School System.

October starts off with a discussion of attention deficit disorder and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder with Dwight Foulk on the first, 9 - 10:30 a.m. at Tyrone Elementary and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Braelinn Elementary. Also, Oct. 1, from 1 - 2:30 p.m., “Is Your Child and Family Over scheduled?” will be led by Dwight Foulk at East Fayette Elementary.

Foulk is a licensed professional counselor and heads A New Start Counseling Center in Fayetteville.

The STEP workshop, Systematic Training for Effective Parenting, will begin Tuesday, Sept. 14 at Rising Starr Middle School and run for 10 consecutive Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8 p.m. The classes help parents understand their children's behavior and teaches them how to listen and talk in an effective manner with their children.

Other areas of discussion include reducing conflict, sensible discipline, building your child's confidence, and democratic and positive parenting.

Registration must be received by Sept. 1, and costs $16 for the workbook. Rising Starr parents are given priority, but after Sept. 1, parents from other schools will fill up any available space. Classes are limited to 50 parents. For information phone Janice McLeroy at 770-486-2721, ext. 205.