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After about an hour of discussing educational issues in a group of four mothers, two fathers and one teacher, Bond Mill Elementary parent Amy Wenhold walked away with an important conclusion.

"We all have the same concerns, and it'd be great to find solutions for them," she said.

Wenhold and the other parents were at Deerfield Elementary on Sept. 24 for Prince George's County's first "Family Academy" — a free church-sponsored workshop for parents who want to find ways to assist in their children's educational development. About 250 people attended the event.

Side by Side, a new Laurel faith-based nonprofit, is hosting a series of five Family Academy sessions this fall and winter for families whose children attend the seven public elementary schools in Laurel. The organization hopes to expand the program to other parts of Prince George's County in the future, said Kevin McGhee, president of the Laurel Clergy Association and one of the Side by Side organizers.

McGhee said a group of Laurel-area churches have been trying to start a family-outreach program like Side by Side for five years. Planning for the Family Academy got started about a year ago when the necessary volunteers, school officials and financial resources came together.

"These kids deserve the same opportunities as kids in Howard County or anywhere else," he said. McGhee said families in Prince George's County often face challenges that aren't as prevalent in other parts of the region, such as being single-parent households or having both parents work full time. Many working parents struggle to find time to get involved in their children's schools, he said.

Laurel resident Tyra Estwick, a single mother who works as a research nurse at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, said working parents face extra challenges. Estwick attended the Family Academy with her daughter, Mikhaila, a fourth-grader at Montpelier Elementary, and 1-year-old son Joshua.

"I'm really just trying to do the best for my children," she said.

The talk at one table covered everything from discipline to learning disabilities to evening homework sessions.

Side by Side volunteers said they will keep track of parents' suggestions and relay them back to the schools. They also said the concerns that were brought up will help form discussion topics for the upcoming workshops.

Pattie Oldham, a fourth-grade teacher at Bond Mill, said the experience was eye-opening for her as well. Oldham participated in the same discussion group as Wenhold and Archer.

"Hearing some of the frustrations that the parents are going through … my heart went out to them," Oldham said, adding that the discussion has increased her awareness of the time constraints and other challenges that parents run up against.

Laurel Mayor Craig A. Moe said the workshop was an important step in getting parents, teachers and school officials to work together on educational issues.

"It's a nice opportunity for everybody to learn from each other," he said.

Upcoming Family Academies

6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 15, Nov. 5, Dec. 3 and Jan. 7

Deerfield Elementary, 13000 Laurel Bowie Road

For more information or to reserve a spot, call Joe Murchison at 301-725-8179 or

e-mail sidebysidelaurel@verizon.net.

E-mail Caitlin Moran at cmoran@gazette.net.