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August 7, 1998 JOURNALISTS: Here are ideas for a couple of news stories and a list of newsworthy Purdue events during the next two weeks. Purdue to debut cultural awareness workshops For the first time ever, teaching assistants on the West Lafayette campus are receiving special diversity training as part of their preparation for the upcoming school year. The cultural awareness workshops are designed to better prepare graduate assistants to teach international and minority students in American classrooms. Journalists are invited to attend the interactive theater seminars from 9 to 11 a.m. or from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, in Stewart Center Room 322. CONTACT: Emily Wadsworth, (765) 494-6611; emw@ecn.purdue.edu Education expert advises on kindergarten readiness Many parents worry that their child's attention span is too limited to make a good transition into kindergarten. Some parents obsess over their child's shyness -- will he or she fit in? P. Youli Mantzicopoulos, a specialist in educational psychology at Purdue, says parents instead should focus on finding a school that matches their child's needs. Different public and private schools have different expectations, she says, and some kindergarten programs have strict policies about which students can move up to the first grade. "That could penalize a child who has been slow to mature," Mantzicopoulos says. CONTACT: Youli ("you-lee") Mantzicopoulos, e-mail, mantzi@purdue.edu Events Sunday-Thursday, Aug. 16-20. Boiler Gold Rush. This orientation program for members of the incoming Boilermaker Class of 2002 provides them with the opportunity to move into their rooms early, find their way around campus, and make new friends. CONTACT: Marnie LaFevor, coordinator of orientation, Office of Admissions, (765) 494-1272; e-mail: bgr@adms.purdue.edu Friday, Aug. 21. Move-in day for most students who will live in Purdue residence halls. Classes will begin Monday, Aug. 24. Saturday, Aug. 22. Welcoming parade from the Windsor Residence Halls to Slayter Hill for new students. After the parade, which begins at 6:10 p.m., Purdue President Steven C. Beering will address the new students and their parents at the President's Gala to Welcome New Students at 7 p.m. on Slayter Hill. A dance on Slayter Hill will follow the gala. CONTACT: Barbara Middleton, housing and food services director of marketing and communications, (765) 494-1000; e-mail, bamiddleton@hfs.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page