Parent Education Past Events
Below is a list of past Parent Education events.
2018-2019
- Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24
Book Discussion- Jessica Lahey's "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed.”
Providing a path toward solutions, Lahey lays out a blueprint with targeted advice for handling homework, report cards, social dynamics, and sports. Most importantly, she sets forth a plan to help parents learn to step back and embrace their children’s failures. Hard-hitting yet warm and wise, The Gift of Failure is essential reading for parents, educators, and psychologists nationwide who want to help children succeed. - Wednesday, February 6 and Thursday, February 7
Parent Ed: Brainious
What’s the secret to nurturing the development of a child’s brain? In this illuminating 2017 documentary called BRAINIOUS, journalist and director Stéphanie Brillant assembles experts from neuroscience, psychology, culture and education to help us better understand how a child’s brain develops through social and emotional experiences.
2017-2018
- Thursday, April 27
Parent Education: Learn to Meditate
We joined Alice Dan, PhD, a meditation leader from the Shambhala Center in the West Loop. Experience how meditation can be integrated into your daily life to help reduce stress, increase focus, improve sleep patterns, and more. - Wednesday, April 12
Parent Education Book Discussion: "Waking Up White" by Debby Irving
This event was a discussion of Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving. This book is a personal exploration that includes often cringe-worthy stories about the author's adventure of discovery and insight that shifted her worldview of the role of race in America. Her story aims to "transform confusion into curiosity and anxiety into action." - Wednesday, February 8
How to Talk to Your Kids About Uncertain Times
Division Heads shared examples of their recent interactions with students on how to listen carefully, how they help students develop their own beliefs and opinions based on their personal experiences and research, and how students can enter healthy debates with respect for others' ideas.
- Thursday, December 8
Parent Education Event: Screenwise with Devorah Heitner, Ph.D.
Many of us feel that our kids are addicted, detached, or distracted because of their digital devices, yet we don't know what to do to address the problem. Dr. Devorah Heitner's core message is that kids need mentoring, not (just) monitoring, and that kids deserve more empathy from adults about growing up in the digital age. She will share advice on helping kids navigate friendship and identity issues common among new texters, gamers, and social media users. - Wednesday, October 19
Mindful Parenting: A Workshop with Sarah Cunningham
A workshop with Sarah Cunningham, LCSW, CYT, to learn how to integrate mindfulness into our daily lives. Mindfulness can help manage the stress and anxiety of parenting, working, and living in the city. Regular practice can help us and our kids with improved attention span, reduced stress, and better emotional regulation, making all of our lives a bit easier.
2016-2017
- Wednesday, April 11
Parent Education: Exercise, the Brain, and Learning
Educational consultant and former Naperville Central High School Department Chair of Physical Education and Health, shared his experiences in creating Naperville’s “Learning Readiness PE Program.” He also presented the latest research on exercise and the brain and some thoughts on how to integrate movement and learning to improve academic performance, health, and community cohesion. - Friday, March 16
Parent Education - Race: Are We So Different?
A visit to the Chicago History Museum's traveling exhibit exploring the concept of race and the ways that it has shaped American society followed by coffee and casual discussion. - Tuesday, January 30
Parent Education: Nutritious New Year
Topics discussed included growth and nutrition needs from PS - 8th Grade, food as fuel for active and athletic kids, how to encourage more exploration in picky eaters, planning family dinners, and a live demonstration for more variety in school snacks with Pam Patt, Clinical Dietitian and Manager of Nutrition Services at Shriners Hospital for Children, and Christina Byrnes, Catherine Cook's former Nutrition Specialist. - Monday, October 23
Parent Education Event: How to Talk to and Support Your Kids through Grief, Loss, and Major Change
Parents and guardians are invited to join us for a presentation and discussion about ways to support children through grief, loss, and major change with Judy Schiffman, LCSW, from the Barr-Harris Children's Grief Center of Chicago. A variety of topics will be covered, including death and divorce, how to adapt to changes in caregivers, and best friends moving away.