A growing body of research demonstrates that parent engagement is crucial to a child's education. But with public education becoming increasingly complex, it can be difficult for parents to know how to be engaged.The Council of Elders, an organization dedicated to the educational and cultural well being of the black community of Howard County, is trying to help parents do just this. On Sept. 17, the group is teaming up with the Howard County school system to offer an information session on navigating the system's staff and web-based resources.Attendees will learn how to use Canvas, the online tool used by Howard County teachers to communicate with students and their families. Parents and guardians will also learn strategies to maintain effective communication with their children's teachers and school administrators.Child care, limited transportation and interpretation are available to make attendance to this event possible for families. To arrange any of these services, call 410-313-1598.The information session is Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 to 11:15 a.m. at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia. To register, go to http://thecouncilofelders.org/community-academy/navigating-the-hcpss/.