Two new facilitator trainings will be held in July for the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Study Circles Program.

Study Circles is a dialogue program operating in MCPS, with a focus on understanding barriers to student achievement and parent involvement. These roundtable dialogues help diverse groups of parents, teachers, and students form relationships and develop trust; address issues of race, culture, and student achievement; and create strategies for communication and collaborative action.

Participants in facilitator trainings receive instruction in multicultural and group process skills specific to Study Circles, a certificate of completion, and a stipend when they facilitate a full study circle.

An orientation for those interested in being trained will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m., in the auditorium of the Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville.

Participants may choose one of two trainings. The first training will be offered over a two-day period on Tuesday, July 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Wednesday, July 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The second will be offered over three days on Saturday, July 23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, July 26, 6-9 p.m.; and Wednesday, July 27, 6-9 p.m.

For more information, call 301-279-3455, e-mail studycircles@mcpsmd.org, or visit the link below.