Take Our Children to Work Day Set for Nov. 20

Take Our Children to Work Day Set for Nov. 20

Take Our Children to Work Day is a free annual event that introduces children of UA employees and students to the opportunities the Capstone offers.

Faculty, staff and students who are parents or guardians of children ages 8 to 18 should register by Nov. 10 for the Nov. 20 event, which begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 2:45 p.m. Lunch is provided.

Among this year’s speakers are Vice President for Student Life David Grady and Black Student Union President Candace Allen.

Breakout sessions include “Rockets and Racecars” from the College of Engineering, “10,000 Years in an Hour” from Moundville Archaeological Park, “Drumming Circle” from the UA African Drumming Ensemble, and a tour of the Digital Media Center in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Most of the events and activities will take place in the Ferguson Student Center. Plan to accompany your child to activities for the entire event.

Terriana Mullins, Mar’Rica Trone and their mother Rica Trone pictured with Big AL at UA’s first Take Our Children to Work Day.

This will be the fourth year UA has held the event, and last year about 70 UA employees participated, said Paige Miller of the Women and Gender Resource Center.

Dr. Natalie Adams, director of New College, is an advocate for Take Our Children to Work Day, and encourages her faculty and staff to participate.

“By bringing a part of our personal lives and our home life to work, we all get to know each other much better. We experience a sense of camaraderie and it sends a powerful message that the University recognizes the importance of having a healthy work-life balance.” Dr. Natalie Adams

New College program assistant Rica Trone is the parent of daughters, and has participated in the event every year. It has been a hit with her and her children.

“We are greeted with Big Al every year and allowed to take pictures, mingle and grab a healthy snack during orientation. We anticipate attending this event every year and signing up for the amazing, well thought out workshops! Thank you, University of Alabama, for allowing staff to bring our kids to work and participate in such amazing workshops!” she said.

What You Should Know

To participate, employees must have permission from their immediate supervisor. Use of annual leave time to attend the event is at the supervisor’s discretion.

Students with classes on Nov. 20 must have permission from those instructors.

“Parents needing a letter of explanation for their supervisors or professors can request it from the WGRC,” Miller said. Direct questions and RSVPs to her at cpmiller1@ua.edu.

Nov. 20 is the beginning of Thanksgiving break for Tuscaloosa city and county schools. For children in private schools, WGRC will provide a letter to the principal, who will decide whether the absence is excused.

The event is sponsored by the Women and Gender Resource Center, the Ferguson Student Center and Graduate Parent Support.