Saint Paul Parent Information Fair helps families choose schools
12/21/2004 10:45 AMNext fall may seem like a long way off, but now is the time for Saint Paul parents to begin choosing the school their child will attend next September. Saint Paul parents have a chance to meet representatives from more than 150 Saint Paul schools and programs at the 2005 Parent Information Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, at Saint Paul RiverCentres Roy Wilkins Auditorium, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd.
Whether parents have a young child going to school next fall for the first time, or they have a student who will be choosing a junior or senior high school, the Saint Paul Parent Information Fair is the best place to start the school choice process. All Saint Paul public schools, as well as many charter, private, and parochial schools will be represented at the fair.
Educational program booths will provide information about other services for children including early childhood education, English language learner programs, services for gifted students, special education  | | Interpreters are available to help parents who speak Hmong, Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Khmer (Cambodian), Oromo, Laotion, Amharic, French and American Sign Language. |
services and much more. Families also can get one-on-one help from Saint Paul Public Schools Student Placement Center staff regarding the school choice process and how to complete an application.
"This is the only chance for Saint Paul parents of school-age children to see so many educational choices in one place," said Arty Dorman, director of Family and Community Involvement for the Saint Paul Public Schools. "At the Parent Information Fair, educators from across the city come together to give parents the information they need to make the best choices for their children. What makes the fair so valuable to parents is that it provides one place for thousands of parents to meet and exchange valuable information with Saint Paul educators."
Interpreters will be available at the fair to help families. Interpreters are available in Hmong, Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Khmer (Cambodian), Laotian, Oromo, Amharic, French and American Sign Language.
The fair is free and pre-registration  | | Activities are provided by Saint Paul Public Schools Family Education Programs |
is not required. Free parking is available at Saint Paul College, 235 Marshall Ave., and the Saint Paul Public Schools Administration Building, 360 Colborne St., with free shuttle buses to RiverCentre during fair hours.
The Parent Information Fair helps parents begin their school search for the 2005-2006 school year. The information bags at the fair will include the "2005-2006 School Choices and Services Catalog," which has descriptions of each Saint Paul public school and information about how to apply for elementary, middle/junior high and senior high schools. Many public schools also have open houses scheduled in January, February and March. The application deadline for middle/junior high and senior high schools is Monday, Feb. 28, and the application deadline for elementary magnet/citywide option schools is Friday, March 11.
For more information about the Parent Information Fair, call the school district's administration offices at (651) 767-8101 .
 | | | | | | | CLICK HERE for a list of schools and programs that will be at the fair and information about how to find their booths. |
| | | CLICK HERE for information about free shuttle buses |
| | | CLICK HERE to see which Minnesota celebrities will be reading at this year's Parent Information Fair. |
| | | Click on the picture to get school selection tips. |
| | WHAT'S AT THE FAIR?
LOTS OF EXPERTS. Meet Saint Paul's education experts at more than 150 booths representing public, private, parochial and charter schools to learn about educational opportunities available for your children.
ONE-ON-ONE HELP. Talk with staff from the Saint Paul Public Schools Student Placement Center about the application process and your chances of getting into your school of choice.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES. Participate in fun and educational activities with your kids.
INTERPRETERS. Hmong, Spanish, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Somali, Oromo, Amharic, Lao, French and American Sign Language interpreters will be available during the fair to help multi-language families. Go to the Information Booth to get an interpreter.
ITS FREE! Admission is free. Free parking is available at the Saint Paul College, 235 Marshall Ave., and the Saint Paul Public Schools Administration Building, 360 Colborne St., with free shuttle buses to RiverCentre during Parent Information Fair hours.
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