Informative and entertaining adult programs are planned after every monthly general membership meeting. Parenting, child development, and school-readiness are examples of topics covered. These programs are always open to the public, free of charge, and do not require a RSVP.

General membership meetings take place on the fourth Tuesday of the month from August through May, except December.

Hospitality Time and Committee sign-ups (except for Field Trips) begin at 6:30 pm, the business meeting begins at 7:00 pm, and the scheduled program immediately follows. All meetings will adjourn by 9:00 pm.

Meetings take place at the Solon Community Center, 35000 Portz Parkway, Solon, Ohio.

Any questions/comments/concerns, please contact the Programs team.

Melissa Fitzgerald
VP Programs
programs@solonearlychildhoodpta.com

My Gym will again be offering babysitting at the general meetings for children 1 year and older who are walking. The cost is $5.00.

Please contact My Gym directly at (440) 914-9497 to reserve a spot before the meeting date - remember spaces are limited. Don't let an out-of-town spouse keep you from attending all of the awesome programs this year!

Any questions/comments/concerns, please contact the Programs team.

Get ready for some fun and great information at the SECPTA General Meetings this year! Look forward to speakers to enlighten you, opportunities to give back to the community and time to get to know each other. We are thrilled to announce the line up for the 2010–2011 SECPTA year. Please note that this list is subject to change.

Who is SECPTA?

Tuesday, August 24

Get to know the faces behind SECPTA and learn about the wonderful events planned for your family this year! Kick back and relax with yummy catered munchies while you get to know other SECPTA members at your table. SECPTA Board chairs will come around to each table to answer your questions, briefly share info on their upcoming events and take committee sign-ups.

Door prizes will be given out at random times and don't miss the big raffle prize at the end — A Birthday Party at The Pond!! Please note the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. and Field Trip signups will be at the end of the meeting for this month.

Teaching our Kids to Be Safe, Don Holloway, radKids Presenter

Tuesday, September 28

Don comes highly recommended from other ECPTAs in the region. He is a phenomenal speaker who will share invaluable insight as to how to talk to our little ones about strangers, predator tricks, uncomfortable touch and what to do if they suddenly become separated in public. Don is a nationally certified child safety instructor with approximately 20 years of combined experience in the law enforcement, security, personal safety and the fire prevention fields.

Get Inside Their Heads: How to Stay One Step Ahead of the Kids with Discipline and Communications Techniques that Work, Michelle Martin, EdS, School Psychologist

Tuesday, October 26

Improve communication with your kids and keep the peace within your family. Learn positive techniques to add to your daily parenting skills to strengthen relationships and maintain the rules.

Share with SECPTA — Share with the Community

Tuesday, November 23

We're keeping it social this month with two ways of sharing — just in time for Thanksgiving. First, we're teaming up Service as we collect much needed items for an area shelter (see Service article for details). Then we'll share desserts with each other in a Cookie Exchange! What could be better two days before the big feast? Gather a perfect hostess gift or take home another dessert for your Turkey Day!

Holiday Shopping Spree

Tuesday, December 7

Shop 'til you drop with unique gifts from our annual Holiday Shopping Spree! The event features more than 40 vendors with gift offerings you won't find anywhere else, just in time for the holidays! Open to the public. If you would like to participate as a vendor or know someone that would, please contact Christa Bomeli, Programs Chair. Note: there will not be a SECPTA General Meeting before the Shopping Spree.

Lose it! The Top 10 Secrets to Natural Weight Loss, Angela Minelli, CHHC, AADP, Health Coach

Tuesday, January 25

Are you ready to get off the diet roller coaster for good and discover what truly works? Losing weight isn't as complicated as it seems and in this workshop, you'll learn how to break the "diet" mentality for good.

Recapture the Spark: How to Maintain a Great Marriage, Kathleen B. Corcoran, PhD, and Douglas J. Moore, PhD

Tuesday, February 22

Why do some relationships last forever and others fall apart? Drs. Corcoran and Moore, two local psychologists who specialize in helping couples, will share ways you can make your partner feel appreciated again, how to keep the relationship going in the right direction and stronger than ever.

Craft Night for a Cause

Tuesday, March 22

We're teaming up with Service for a night of fun, food and friends all for a good cause: Project Night Night (www.projectnightnight.org). This organization provides comfort items to children in shelters across the country. We will help to make no-sew blankets and assemble Project Night Night (www.projectnightnight.org) bags for kids. For those knitters and crocheters out there, bring your yarn and whip up some baby hats we'll donate to an area NICU.

Is the Glass Half Full? How a Shift in Perspective is Critical to Good Health, Lynn Klimo, MD, Integrative Psychiatrist

Tuesday, April 26

Get out of your funk! Dr. Klimo will explain the profound affect our thoughts and emotions have on our health. Learn how to identify the limiting beliefs that may be keeping you stuck in negative thought patterns and holding you back from your true potential. Dr. Klimo will share techniques to turn it around.

SECPTA Social

Tuesday, May 24

End of the year celebration! This catered event will be all social and all fun. Stay tuned for details!