MWCC's Weekly e-newsletter

Fri., Mar. 5, 2004

Parents Exchange Challenges and Ideas at Parenting Fair and Dialogue

By Lea Ann Erickson

MWCC student parents Kevin and Lori Aubuchon participate in the MWCC parenting dialogue.

Student parents exchanged all of the challenges they face while juggling coursework with family obligations at a Parenting Fair and Dialogue, Fri., Mar. 5. "It's a balance being a parent and student. I have a job too and it's hard," said one recently separated mom. The event, part of the college's Decade of Civic Engagement initiative.

The twenty students who gathered brainstormed ideas to improve the campus climate for parents with Professor Maryann Kane of the Early Childhood Education program and Associate Director of Student Success Gail Kaddy. One idea everyone seemed to like was the creation of a parent resource room which could provide not only a meeting place, but a bulletin board with news and events relevant to parents.

One major topic of discussion surrounded the challenges students have getting to class on time. "When I'm late, its because my child had a meltdown, not because I was partying last night." Some students argued that faculty should be more forgiving about student parents coming late to class. But some students disagreed. "I feel for parents-I am a parent-but this is the real world and in the workplace, they are not going to be understanding when you come to work late."

	Theatre at the Mount and the Humanities Division sponsored a free lecture entitled "Cabaret: From Page to Stage" Wed., Mar. 3rd featuring Lorien Corbelletti, director of TAM's musical production of Cabaret .

Parents will have the opportunity to discuss these and other issues at the next meeting of Club M'ED (Moms and Men in Education). The group, organized by Kaddy and Kane will meet Mon., March 29 at 12:30 p.m. in room 071.

In addition to the dialogue, students were able to get a variety of information in the commons area from a variety of groups including: Prohealth, WIC, Parents Helping Parents, Community Police and Community Partnerships for Children.

Upcoming Campus Events:

• Over 400 Mount Wachusett Community college students will be studying Charles Dickens' Hard Times this semester. Six faculty members will be teaching the book in English 102 courses. In addition to classroom discussion, students, faculty and staff-as well as the general public will be able to participate in the following:

An Invitation to Dickens : Wed., Mar. 10, from 12:40 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Room 127. Professors Edward Cronin, English, and Bill Welch, history, will provide an interesting look at Charles Dickens and the England in which he wrote his classic novels, including A Christmas Carol , Great Expectations , David Copperfield , and of course, Hard Times.

Film: Charles Dickens: A Tale of Ambition and Genius: Mon., Mar. 22, from 12:40 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Room 127

Panel Discussion on Hard Times: Fri., Mar. 26, from 12:40 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Room 127. Faculty, students, and staff will participate in a roundtable-style discussion on some of the major stylistic and social issues raised in the novel.

A display of material related to Charles Dickens and Victorian England will be featured outside of the library throughout the month.

• All performances of Theatre at the Mount's production of the Kander and Ebb musical, Cabaret , are sold out. For info on upcoming productions, visit their website: http://theatre.mwcc.edu>

• The Wachusett Folk Cafe is back! Tickets are now on sale for the much anticipated re-opening of the folk music venue. Expatriate New Yorker, now living in Argentina , Richard Shindell will appear on stage, Fri., April 2, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Shindell is a meticulous craftsman of song whose four studio albums and recent live recording have been revered by critics and fans alike. Tickets may be purchased on line at http://theatre.mwcc.edu> or at the box office at (978) 632-2403. Box Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Online tickets may be purchased via credit card (MC,VISA or Discover). There is no charge for using this service, however you cannot choose a specific seat. Our box office personnel will give you the best available seat(s) at the time of purchase and hold your ticket(s) at the door. For more information, call Diane Hamilton at (978) 630-9387.

• The East Wing Gallery is currently featuring Joe Smith's sketchbook drawings through Thurs., Mar. 11. Included are 46 images of forests, stonewalls, beach scenes and an early palm tree study from when Smith served in the Peace Corps in Micronesia from 1977 to 1979. Also on display as part of the Works in Clay Exhibit series, is the work of MWCC alumna Donna Pobuk. After graduation from the Mount, Pobuk received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Smith College and Master's of Fine Arts from Boston University . Her work explores the relationship between female roles, female forms as well as alternative firing techniques.

• Discover the "Hidden Treasures" of the Mt. Wachusett Community College Library ! All students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend the MWCC Library Open House, Wed., Mar. 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The library staff is eager to demonstrate the valuable resources available to all patrons of the library.  Events such as "Plan Your Vacation!" and "Free DVD and VHS Rentals!" will highlight the many uses of your library card. Bring your own questions about library services, and learn to utilize all the library has to offer .  Stop by for food, raffles, information, and fun for everyone! A schedule of events will be posted at the library's home page: http://library.mwcc.edu .

• Students enrolled in any college or college alumni are encouraged to attend one of the largest career fairs in Worcester County , Tues., Mar. 23, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Lincoln Street in Worcester . Discover some of today's best employers under one roof and have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with company representatives. Information will be available on career opportunities in allied health, education, financial services government, high tech and much more. In addition, there will be a drawing for a free palm pilot. The event is sponsored by the Colleges of Worcester Consortium. For more information, call Patricia Brewerton at (978) 630-9254.

• Working full-time? Find out how you can earn your Early Childhood Education Associate Degree in three years by attending weekend courses once or twice a month in combination with convenient online courses. A free Information session will be held Wed., Mar. 24, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Murphy Conference room at the Gardner campus. Schedules for this option begin in the fall and are planned in advance so students will know exactly what is expected of them for the entire program. No cancelled classes. To pre-register, call Missi Howlett at (978) 630-9273 or email her at mhowlett@mwcc.mass.edu Learn about the program, schedule and financial aid opportunities and see an online learning demonstration. For more information about the program, go to http://earlychildhood.mwcc.edu

Lea Ann Erickson
Director of Community Relations
Mount Wachusett Community College
Phone: (978) 630-9322
Fax: (978) 630-9561
cell: (508) 517-5202
l_erickson@mwcc.mass.edu

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