Parent Series webinars will take place from
6:30 – 7:30 pm central/7:30 – 8:30 pm eastern.
 

• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2022
  Thrivers: What Really Helps Kids Find Happiness Today & Success Tomorrow
  Michele Borba, Educational Psychologist & Author
  Data shows that today’s youth are the loneliest, most stressed, and risk-averse on record. Though well-educated, they are failing to launch in real life. So how can we teach them to be mentally strong and more successful? Borba empowers both educators and parents to help kids thrive in today’s fast-paced, digital-driven, often uncertain world. Through her research, she found that the difference between those who struggle and those who succeed comes down to the personal traits that set Thrivers apart and set them up for happiness, as well as greater potential later in life. She offers practical, actionable ways to develop these Thrivers traits for kids and shows you how to teach your children to cope today, so they can flourish tomorrow in school and life. These are lessons that will last a lifetime. All are invited. The recording of this webinar will be available until October 31, 2022.
   
• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2022
  Gift of Failure
  Jessica Lahey, Educator & Author
  Modern parenting has become defined by an unprecedented level of overprotectiveness. We all know parents who rush to school to deliver forgotten assignments, challenge teachers on disappointing report cards, mastermind their children’s friendships or interfere on the playing field. According to bestselling author, Jessica Lahey, “overparenting” has the potential to both ruin children’s confidence and undermine their education. By letting go and allowing children to learn how to solve problems on their own, we give them the tools to grow up to be self-reliant, confident, and successful adults. That’s the Gift of Failure. Jessica reminds us that teachers, and others who work with children, also teach responsibility, organization, manners, restraint, and foresight — important life skills that shape stronger futures. Lahey champions failure as a crucial element of long-term success while providing indispensable advice to parents for handling homework, report cards, social dynamics, competitive sports, and more. All are invited. The recording of this webinar will be available until January 31, 2023.
   
• TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023
  Religious Diversity: A Great American Strength
  Eboo Patel, Interfaith America
  Religion is too often left out of the conversation on diversity. This is a shame because there is much to learn and admire about the American experience with welcoming religious diversity and nurturing interfaith cooperation. In this talk, founder and president of Interfaith America, and author of the recent book We Need to Build will tell the inspiring story of how the United States became the world’s first attempt at religiously diverse democracy, a potluck nation that invites the contributions of people from Atheists to Zoroastrians. All parents/caregivers are invited, parents of middle and upper school students are invited to listen with their children to consider the possibility of building bridges as a family.
   
• WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023
  Raising Our Village: Creating a Culture of Dignity
  Rosalind Wiseman, Cultures of Dignity
  This webinar will help parents gain the tools to allow children to thrive. From young people’s friendships, anxiety, social media use, conflicts with friends and family, and the constant pressure to “keep up,” Wiseman will share how to best connect with young people, especially when they need us most. As our children navigate a constantly changing educational environment, we know supportive relationships and social skills are critical to their emotional well-being. These skills are essential for young people to engage in education, manage emotions, and become responsible and positive members of families and communities. This session will define the difference between dignity and respect and the impact on communicating with young people, establish foundational principles in alignment with community and family values, help guide children and students as they navigate their friendships online, provide a deeper understanding of the role and purpose of emotions, and strengthen communication between adults and young people to avoid breakdowns and power struggles. Concrete skills required to increase adults’ ability to support the emotional well-being of the children and young adults in their care will be shared.
   
• TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023
  Technology & Mental Health: What is the Link? What Can We Do?
  Jill Walsh, Boston University
  We hear reports that technology use is associated with worse mental health outcomes for teens, but there is confusion about how and in what ways technology creates this negative experience. Walsh will walk through what the research says about this link, debunk common myths, and share technology’s often undervalued positive impact. Particular focus will be on thinking about quantity vs. quality of tech use as well as the use of technology as a mood management tool. She also will address the September 2021 data that proved a link between Instagram use and mental illness in teens. While Walsh will provide a research-based approach, she also is a working mother of two technology-obsessed kids which positions her to offer realistic and practical tools as well as conversations that can be implemented at home. Please join us for a topic that is important for all parents.
   
• WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023
  Boundaries Without Battles: How to Be Flexible & Firm When Kids Need It Most
  Erin Walsh, Spark & Stitch Institute
  Setting limits is always a challenging part of parenting. Heading into the summer months, it can be especially hard to know when to be flexible and when to hold the line. Walsh will explore why limits are critical to kids’ healthy development and identify practical strategies for setting boundaries without undermining connection. Using stories, warmth, and humor, she will help parents to clarify limits and follow through with consistency and care. This webinar is for parents and caregivers for all ages, early childhood through adolescence.

Recorded Webinar Access

• Parent Series webinars will be recorded and available to registered schools to access until May 31, 2023.
  • Please note the 9/29/22 & 12/1/22 webinar recordings will be available to access until 11/30/22 & 1/31/23 respectively.
• Any content and/or conversations that occurred in Zoom breakout rooms were not recorded.
• Instructions will be sent within 1-2 days of the live presentation to the contact person registered on the ISACS website as well as anyone pre-registered on Zoom.
• Passwords are not required to access the recordings; however, Parent Series registrants will be prompted to complete a Zoom On-Demand Online Form before gaining access to each webinar. 
• Recordings must only be accessed by schools that pre-registered for the 2022-23 Parent Series. Please do not share the recording links with others outside your school community. ISACS will contact any non-registrant who completes the online form and will require a registration fee.
• For more information or questions, please contact jacob@isacs.org or karen@isacs.org.