ESCONDIDO: Latino, migrant parents discuss education, future
More than 200 people attend annual conference in Escondido
By SHAYNA CHABNER - Staff Writer | Saturday, April 26, 2008 7:54 PM PDT ∞

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Zumy Tepec, 4, listens as her mother discusses sending her to preschool Saturday at the North County Latino and Migrant Parent Conference. The conference offered parents tips to help their children become more aware of everything from health and education to the dangers of the Internet and gangs. Photo by John Koster - Staff Photographer


Melba Novoa hands out paper Sprinter trains and information in Spanish to families Saturday at the 10th annual North County Latino and Migrant Parent Conference. Photo by John Koster - Staff Photographer

ESCONDIDO ---- More than 200 Latino parents headed to classes Saturday morning at Orange Glen High School to learn how to help their children succeed in school, live healthy lifestyles and steer clear of dangers online and in the community.

The courses were part of the 10th annual North County Latino and Migrant Parent Involvement Conference. The free event, titled "Connections to the Future," was put together by volunteer community members and employees from school districts throughout North County.

Parents of children from preschool through high school were encouraged to attend and talk with educators, community leaders and other parents.

"It's very interesting," Angelica Reyes, a San Marcos resident and mother of a 14-year-old son, said in Spanish. "I want to get more information on a lot of things that can help my son in school. I want to learn about college, health, the train."

All of which, Reyes said, were readily accessible at the conference, where several businesses, colleges and social service organizations had set up information booths.

In addition to the exhibit, attendees could choose from 30 workshops led by educators, officers, nonprofits and health service agencies.

The workshops covered a range of topics, including the importance of reading at home, tips for helping teenagers be successful in high school, ways to secure financial aid for college and how to prevent children from becoming involved in gangs, drugs and unsafe Web sites.

The goal of the event, organizers said, was to get Latino and migrant parents together to talk about education and to help them to better understand how the education system works, what is available to them, and to inspire them for the future.

"We hope that we are filling the needs of what they need to learn to help their children," said Jose Fragozo, an Escondido parent who helped organize the conference. "If we do that, I will be happy."

In an early morning introduction to the crowd, keynote speaker Amelia Meza, a juvenile court judge in San Diego County, said she could serve as an example to parents of what hard work, an ongoing commitment to education and very active and involved parents can accomplish.

Meza, a graduate of both Yale College and Stanford Law School, was the first Latina to be appointed as a judge for the Juvenile Court Schools in San Diego County.

Her parents were Mexican immigrants who never completed their own education but made sure that their children did, she said in a speech given in Spanish.

They did that, and others can too, Meza said, by having rules, demanding respect for the family, placing an emphasis on education above all and always talking about and making plans for the future.

"Kids who have the love and support of their parents have a great advantage in this life," Meza added.

Contact staff writer Shayna Chabner at (760) 740-5416 or schabner@nctimes.com.

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