Two great community educational events, one on bullying and the other on our “achievement culture”, are coming up in the next few weeks.
October 21: In recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month, Youth Connect, in conjunction with the Quaker Valley School District and Sewickley Academy, will be hosting a Parent Education presentation entitled: BULLYING: What We See and What We Do. This informational session will be held on October 21, 2010 from 7:00-9:00pm in the Quaker Valley High School Auditorium. A formal presentation will be provided by elementary level and secondary level guidance counselors and administrators followed by more informal discussion. Topics to be covered will include perception data gathered from teachers and students regarding bullying, relational aggression, exclusion, and proactive approaches to a respectful school environment, and how parents can set positive examples of social inclusion, among others. No RSVP is required.
November 2: Sewickley Academy welcomes back psychologist, consultant, and best-selling author Michael Thompson. Dr. Thompson will present on the topic of “Freeing Our Kids from Performance Overdrive” on Tuesday, November 2, in the Senior School Commons. There will be a light reception and book signing at 6:00 pm, and the presentation will begin at 6:30 pm. This event is free and open to the public.
In light of the recent film screening at the Edgeworth Club – Race To Nowhere – an event sponsored by the Montessori Children’s Community, Dr. Thompson will continue the conversation about “American’s Achievement Culture” by drawing from his book The Pressured Child: Helping Your Child Find Success in School and Life. He will address America’s performance-driven obsession with the accomplishments of its kid and how to best support our children. Parents, grandparents, educators, and anyone who cares about children will appreciate Thompson’s strategies to reduce the pressures of our fast-paced society.
Another event that might be of interest to you and your family:
October 25, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at QVHS cafeteria: Empty Bowls dinner to benefit local food charities. Go to http://www.qvsd.org/pagecalpop.cfm?p=2602&verbose=31570 for more information.
