FMPAC Conference

Parent Conference

January 18, 2013
Welcome!
The second meeting for the 2012-2013 school year was held on January 18th and 19th, 2013 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. The meeting was called to order and members were welcomed by Luz Olguin. Dr. Maria Pouncey intro-duced Carol Gagliano, Migrant Director for the State of Florida. The following parents were nominated and voted to become members of the Florida Migrant Parent Advisory Council (FMPAC): Elizabeth Ochoa from Pasco County, and Maria G. Rodriguez from Putnam County. There were 15 members present, 5 guests, and 7 presenters during both days. Dr. Pouncey talked to members about the upcoming National Migrant Education Confer-ence that will be held on April 28th through May 1st, 2013 in Orlando, Florida.
Trainings/Presentations
Computer Training: Sigfredo Rodriguez, Technical Assistant with PAEC Migrant Education Program provided basic computer training. Members without email accounts created one. Allmembers sent an email to the State Director.
Joe Spencer, District Resource Teacher, from Hillsborough County introduced members to the Portable Assisted Study Sequence (PASS) Program. This program is designed to assist students who need credits to graduate, or need to make up a class. There is assistance available at the local Migrant Centers or by calling 1-877-fla-pass.


Rosa Mendez from the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa gave a presentation about the High School Equivalency Program (HEP). HEP is designed to assist students and adults with ob-taining their General Education Diploma (GED) in English or Spanish. One of the requirements the applicant must meet is migrant or agriculture status.
Rubi Luis, a recruiter from the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at USF in Tampa, made a presentation on CAMP . CAMP is designed to assist student's transition into and continue the higher education path. CAMP is a federally funded program that provides financial assistance, support services, and cultural enrichment opportunities to students from migrant and seasonal farmworker backgrounds during their first year at the university.



Dr. Ray Melecio from ESCORT gave a presentation on the three major factors a student needs to succeed. Dr. Melecio stated these three factors are like the wheels of a tricycle with either one of them being the larger wheel; the strength of the individual determines the larger wheel. Dr. Melecio stated that intelligence; motivation and opportu-nity have to work together so that an indi-vidual succeeds. He also gave an overview on Identification and Recruitment along with the five areas that need to be satisfied to qualify as a migrant. Dr. Elena Reyes gave a presentation on Recognizing the Signs of Bullying & How to Handle the Situation. She stated that the students who are at risk in being bullied look, talk, or dress differently, can be incapable of defending themselves, and may feel like they don't fit in. Students or people who feel this way have a higher risk of committing suicide. In addition there are groups that are at higher risk of being bullied. Dr. Reyes showed a YouTube video on bullying. A discussion followed the showing of the video.