Workshops, information from community agencies and keynote speakers will be part of the Upper Grand District School Board's free Parent Learning Fair, to be held on Saturday, March 31, at Centre Wellington District High School in Fergus.

As part of the board's student success initiatives, the fair is aimed at parents of students in grades 7 to 12. The goal is to inform and support parents so they can work with the school and community to help ensure the academic and social/ emotional success of their children.

This year's fair will feature keynote speaker Dr. Marvin Berkowitz, who will provide an address entitled "Parenting for Good," which focuses on five central parenting strategies that have been scientifically demonstrated to foster moral character in children.

Dr. Berkowitz is professor of Character Education at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, whose research is in the areas of character education, moral development and prevention of risky behaviours.

Parents will also be able to attend a hands-on workshop with Dave Mitchell, the "singing mathematician." His "Making Sense of Math" workshop will provide strategies for parents to help students with problem solving, math sense and basic number facts and procedures.

There will also be a number of shorter workshops on Alcohol and Drugs, Communicating with Your Teen, Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying, Anxiety and Depression, Career Pathways and Character Education.

Community agencies and the board will have displays to provide information and introduce parents to a variety of specialists who work with and provide support to teens. Refreshments and a light lunch are included.

No registration is required for the fair which begins at 8:30 a.m.

At 10 a.m. those attending will be welcomed by Liz Sandals, MPP, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education, and David Euale, the board's student success superintendent. Dr. Berkowitz's presentation begins at 10:40 a.m., with Dave Mitchell's math workshop starting after lunch at 12:15 p.m.

Parents can then choose to attend two 45-minute workshops. The fair wraps up at 2 p.m.

There will be free bus service to the school in Fergus from Guelph, Mount Forest and Arthur. For more information, contact Brian Serafini, Vice-Principal, Centre Wellington District High School: 519-843-2500 ext. 307.