An evening with Ashley Merryman, co-author of NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children
6 to 8 p.m.
Click here for the full Parenting Diversity Series schedule.
A New York Times Bestseller, NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children has been featured on Good Morning America, Nightline, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, and in Newsweek. The central premise of the book is that many of modern society’s strategies for nurturing children are in fact backfiring because key twists in the science have been overlooked – including a growing body of science which argues that parents need to talk openly and explicitly about race with their children. During the fall of 2009, Merryman and co-author Po Bronson wrote over 90 columns for Newsweek.com, pushing further into the surprising science of child development, including, “Is Discussing Race With a 3-Year-Old Too Young?,” “See Baby Discriminate,” and “Is Your Baby Racist?”
*Open to families.
All workshops will be held in the Helen A. Dolan Center Choir Room and include a light dinner.
To RSVP for the workshops, please call the Friends Academy Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at (516) 393-4284 or email shanelle_robinson@fa.org.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012
Parenting Diversity Series:
"Embracing Difference" -- An interactive theater presentation by The Leadership Program
6 to 8 p.m
Click here for the full Parenting Diversity Series schedule.
The Leadership Program’s (TLP) Embracing Difference workshop is an interactive theater presentation designed to help parents and educators identify effective ways to communicate with children about differences. Using experiential techniques, the “actors” will lead the audience through an exploration of their own belief systems and how those systems may come into play in their parenting, teaching, and other aspects of life. The TLP workshop aims to create a safe environment where adults can see scenarios played out depicting real-life situations and participate in the process of assessing the choices presented and discovering more positive relevant choices.
*Adult-only workshop. Workshop might not be suitable for young children.
All workshops will be held in the Helen A. Dolan Center Choir Room and include a light dinner.
To RSVP for the workshops, please call the Friends Academy Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at (516) 393-4284 or email shanelle_robinson@fa.org.
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2012
The Way Will Open
A Quaker Education Approach to the Essential Conflicts of Development
Presented by John Scardina 7:00 p.m. Jackson House
Join us for a refreshing and informative parenting discussion about how to let your child experience life on life's terms and help to develop resilience and self-reliance with John Scardina, Friends Academy's Quaker-in-Residence in the LS, MS and US.
All Friends parents are welcome! Parking will be available at the Jackson House and behind the Middle School.
A certified school psychologist who’s worked in Friends schools for many years, John is also a parent educator who teaches developmentally appropriate techniques for raising healthy, resilient and responsible children. John received his B.A. in Religion from Princeton University and his M.Ed. in Counseling & Consulting Psychology from Harvard University.
Co-sponsored by Parent Council & The Parent Concerns Subcommittee of the Quaker Life Committee
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2012
Parenting Diversity Series:
Raising Culturally Competent Children
6 to 8 p.m
Click here for the full Parenting Diversity Series schedule.
Much of what children learn about respecting differences comes from their parents. This workshop will include both conventional wisdom and scholarship on raising culturally competent (and confident) children. Led by Dr. Pamela D. Reed of Virginia State University, the presentation will include practical tips for both parents and educators with a question and answer period to follow. Dr. Pamela D. Reed is a tenured associate professor of English and Africana Literature at Virginia State University. She has presented widely on diversity and cultural studies, including at the Oxford Round Table in the United Kingdom. Dr. Reed, a widely published cultural critic, accomplished editor and public intellectual, maintains a featured blog, “Cultural Currents,” in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
*Open to families.
All workshops will be held in the Helen A. Dolan Center Choir Room and include a light dinner.
To RSVP for the workshops, please call the Friends Academy Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at (516) 393-4284 or email shanelle_robinson@fa.org.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26, 2011
The Sport Parent's Night
For all parents
Presented by Tom Doyle, educator and Athletic Director of 30 years 7 to 8 p.m. Band Room, Helen A. Dolan Center
Parents have a particularly difficult task. No one ever taught us how to be parents other than through example. There is no training period, only on-the-job training. There is no evaluation process as we go. To top it all off, our kids keep getting older, bigger, stronger, faster, and smarter, thus forcing us to continually readjust our parental policies and procedures. Usually after our children are raised, we wish we had done some things differently.
Tom Doyle, author of The Sport Parent’s Manual, offers parents of athletes insights on how to work with their children, how to motivate them, how to understand and communicate with them just a little better. He travels around the country discussing the many different perspectives in your child’s athletic world – that of the Athletic Triangle of Coaches, Athletes, and Parents. He will let you in on the little secret he discovered: everything your athlete wanted to tell you, but was afraid to say! Don’t miss this fun, inspirational, and educational evening.
Quaker Reflections on Effective Parenting in a Complex World
Presented by John Scardina 8:30 a.m. Jackson House
Join us for a refreshing and informative parenting discussion with John Scardina, Friends Academy's Quaker-in-Residence in the LS, MS and US.
A certified school psychologist who’s worked in Friends schools for many years, John is also a parent educator who teaches developmentally appropriate techniques for raising healthy, resilient and responsible children. John received his B.A. in Religion from Princeton University and his M.Ed. in Counseling & Consulting Psychology from Harvard University.
All Friends parents are welcome! Parking will be available at the Jackson House and behind the Middle School.
Co-sponsored by Parent Council & The Parent Concerns Subcommittee of the Quaker Life Committee
2010-11 Workshops
Too Good for Drugs
Presented by Steven Chassman, Clinical Director Long Island Council on Alcohol & Drug Dependence (LICADD) Tuesday, May 10, 2011 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Jackson House
Mr. Chassman's workshop will focus on prevention of substance use and abuse by children through education, and will be tailored to the needs of parents of elementary and rising middle school students. He will teach parents how to better communicate with their children about the risks of alcohol and other drugs, for example:
How to bring up the topic of drugs and alcohol.
How to respond when your child asks, “Did you do drugs?”
How to spot the signs of drug/alcohol abuse.
He will also provide information of the current situation on Long Island and the evidence-based programs that are available to help.
Sponsored by Lower School Parent Networking
"Childhood roots of adult happiness"
Presented by Dr. Edward Hallowell Wednesday, April 6 Helen A. Dolan Center Theater 7 p.m.
We are pleased to present Dr. Hallowell, a world-renowned child and adult psychiatrist and author of 18 books. Well known for his strategies on handling our fast-paced lives, Dr. Hallowell will offer concrete details on creating joyful childhoods that lead to satisfying lives as adults.
Sponsored by the Health & Wellness Speakers Series Faculty, Students & Parents -- Together Making a Difference
"The Race to Nowhere"
Special all-parent screening Wednesday, March 23 7 to 9 p.m. Helen A. Dolan Center Theater
About the film:
“Featuring the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink, educators who are burned out and worried that students aren’t developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do what’s best for their kids, Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, students have become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.
Race to Nowhere is a call to mobilize families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens.
In a grassroots sensation already feeding a groundswell for change, hundreds of theaters, schools and organizations nationwide are hosting community screenings during a six-month campaign to screen the film nationwide. Tens of thousands of people are coming together, using the film as the centerpiece for raising awareness, radically changing the national dialogue on education and galvanizing change.”
Please click here to RSVP so that we can best prepare for this event.
3 Simple Steps to Helping Your Child Become a Better Eater
Wednesday, March 23
Presented by Karen Ansel, MS, RD 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Jackson House
Tired of dinnertime battles and trying to get your kids to eat right? Nutritionist and American Dietetic Association Spokesperson Karen Ansel, MS, RD will reveal 3 painless ways to help your child eat more healthfully.
All Early Childhood and Lower School parents are welcome!
Mindfulness Training Workshop
Saturday, March 19
"Be Here Now in our Quaker Community" Presented by Quaker-in-Residence John Scardina 1:00 - 4:00 pm Lower Main Social Space, Frost Hall Open to all Upper School students, faculty and staff
Join us for a free 3-hour workshop that will help you to:
Improve your focusing skills
Manage your stress
Appreciate the gifts that surround us at FA
Actualize the talents that are within you
Please RSVP by e-mailing Teacher John at: John_Scardina@fa.org Sponsored by US TASQUE
Wed. Jan 26: Childhood Rivalries
Presented by Lynn Higgins 8:30 a.m. Jackson House
Tues. Jan. 18: 2011 Peace Week Parent Program
Parenting for Resilience: Raising the Peacemakers of Tomorrow 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Helen A. Dolan Center Theater Presented by John Scardina, FA's Quaker-in-Residence Co-sponsored by Parent Council & The Parent Concerns Subcommittee of the Quaker Life Committee
Learn how to raise resilient and independent children who can take responsibility for their actions, bounce back from adversity and strive with integrity, optimism and courage.
All parents are welcome! Refreshments start at 7 p.m. in the Dolan Center Atrium
Note: This event will be recorded and saved for future viewing.
Fri. Dec. 10: Upper and Middle School Parent Networking meeting
Presented by Denis O'Sullivan, American Athletic Institute 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Jackson House
The American Athletic Institute’s Community Programs teach individuals strategies and techniques to constantly address the ever changing and growing influences that increase risk for our youth. This program is designed to take lessons learned in sport: teamwork, collective responsibility, discipline, loyalty, family, trust and bring these values into the community.
Thurs. Dec. 9: Helping Children Steer Clear of Bullies
Presented by Mor Keshet, Coordinator CAPS Bully Prevention Center 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Jackson House
How to offer children constructive guidance and support when faced with the challenges of bullying
How to help children deal with relational aggression
How we, as parents, can help our children learn to use technology in a safe, responsible manner
Presented by Will Richardson 7:00 p.m. Helen A. Dolan Center Theater
Friends Academy is pleased to present Will Richardson, an internationally known educator, who will discuss with parents how their 21st-century children learn. Will works with educators and students in understanding and implementing the tools of the Read/Write Web into their schools, classrooms and communities.
Read more about and from Will Richardson here on his blog.
Tues. Nov. 2: ParentingYour FriendsSchoolChild:
Reflections on a Quaker Approach to Family Dynamics
Presented by John Scardina 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. Jackson House
Join us for a refreshing and informative parenting discussion with John Scardina, Friends Academy's Quaker-in-Residence in the LS, MS and US. Known to our students as Teacher John, he will speak about how the Quaker values our students are learning in school can be quite helpful in the home.
A certified school psychologist who’s worked in Friends schools for many years, John is also a parent educator who teaches developmentally appropriate techniques for raising healthy, resilient and responsible children. John received his B.A. in Religion from Princeton University and his M.Ed. in Counseling & Consulting Psychology from Harvard University.
All Friends parents are welcome! Refreshments will be served. Parking will be available at the Jackson House and behind the Middle School.
nurturing children are in fact backfiring because key twists in the science have been overlooked – including a growing body of science which argues that parents need to talk openly and explicitly about race with their children. During the fall of 2009, Merryman and co-author Po Bronson wrote over 90 columns for Newsweek.com, pushing further into the surprising science of child development, including, “Is Discussing Race With a 3-Year-Old Too Young?,” “See Baby Discriminate,” and “Is Your Baby Racist?” 
teaching, and other aspects of life. The TLP workshop aims to create a safe environment where adults can see scenarios played out depicting real-life situations and participate in the process of assessing the choices presented and discovering more positive relevant choices.
University, the presentation will include practical tips for both parents and educators with a question and answer period to follow. Dr. Pamela D. Reed is a tenured associate professor of English and Africana Literature at Virginia State University. She has presented widely on diversity and cultural studies, including at the Oxford Round Table in the United Kingdom. Dr. Reed, a widely published cultural critic, accomplished editor and public intellectual, maintains a featured blog, “Cultural Currents,” in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
education, and will be tailored to the needs of parents of elementary and rising middle school students. He will teach parents how to better communicate with their children about the risks of alcohol and other drugs, for example:
