Zion Church of Fredericksburg aimed to do more than simply hand out school supplies during its first back-to-school youth summit. Saturday’s event also featured workshops geared toward providing students and parents alike with information to ensure success throughout the upcoming school year.
Zion’s youth core ministry team, which includes several educators, sought to give parents a chance to ask questions and gain insights from teachers.
Spotsylvania School Board member Nicole Cole opened the event at 10 a.m. with a welcoming address and keynote speech. Cole emphasized the importance of setting both short- and long-term goals for students and shared strategies to help families achieve them.
According to the event’s agenda, the summit offered two morning workshops, a lunch and backpack giveaway at noon and two more workshops in the afternoon.
The morning sessions covered crucial topics such as student mental health, the special education process and navigating high-school course selections from freshman to senior year. In the afternoon, the focus shifted to postgraduate career planning, transitioning through kindergarten and first grade, and the often-overlooked journey from upper elementary to middle school.
Georgette Willis, co-director of youth ministry and a fifth-grade teacher at Park Ridge Elementary in Stafford, has been an educator for 23 years.
“I believe these workshops can help parents become more proactive rather than reactive,” she said.
Willis prioritized centering the workshops around parents and the recognition that children need consistent nurturing throughout their academic journey. She noted that many parents tend to become more complacent after their child’s early elementary years.
“School is more than just learning colors and numbers,” Willis said. “Kids need to know how to advocate for themselves. While many students are good at using cell phones and tablets, some still struggle with basic skills like tying their shoes or opening juice boxes.”
Willis stressed that students need life skills to foster independence. She encouraged parents to instill a positive attitude toward school and engage in daily reading with their children.
“These habits really benefit teachers when students are in the classroom,” she added.
Keana S. Butler and Lakia Tucker also led workshops at this year’s event, which took place in classrooms spread across the first and second floors. Community members including Kentrale Armani Washington and his Major League Band, Domonick Nelson of Hoop 4 Hope, and Crystal Vessels from Unmasked Incorporated donated school supplies for Zion’s youth summit.
Stephanie Barnes, a school psychologist who works in Fairfax, was also on hand to offer support for students’ mental wellness.
“I’ve seen a significant increase in behavioral and mental challenges recently,” Barnes said.
Barnes led the mental wellness workshop, hoping to increase parents’ awareness of their children’s mental health.
With the new school year underway, Zion church member Danielle Hicks felt it was important to attend the workshops. Hicks, who works as a juvenile probation officer in King George and Fredericksburg City, is also the mother of a third and eighth grader.
“I’m always looking for ways to support my children,” Hicks said. “The information shared was helpful, and it challenged me to try new approaches. Tonight, I’ll be making plans with my kids, and I’m very grateful for the free school supplies.”
