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PAST EVENTS
Katie LeClerc GreerDigital Citizenship and Cyber Safety - Parent Night
Katie L. Greer has provided nearly a decade of Internet/technology safety education to schools, law enforcement agencies, community organizations and at national conferences throughout the United States and Canada. Her unique professional, educational and personal background has resulted in dynamic programs that appeal to all age groups…Grades 6-8 : At this point, the majority of kids this age have social networking accounts and are actively networking with others using various forms of technology (i.e. apps, games, messaging, etc.). At this stage, it’s imperative for them to understand the permanency of their actions online, as once they send, save or share, their information is out there – and stays out there – forever. The programs for the 6th-8th grade students have a different tone than the programs for the younger grades, as the things these kids this age are getting into require digging a bit deeper into topics like responsible posting, and understanding how they can make technology work for them, not against them.
Katie Greer is a former detective with the Massachusetts State Police, who now travels the country talking to schools about digital citizenship and cyber safety. She focuses on how students can protect themselves, not only from online predators, but also protecting themselves on how to be safe with social media. She will be doing an all school assembly on March 22nd. Her parent presentation will focus on what she discusses with the students. She will be available to help answer any questions parents might have.Freedom from Chemical Dependency
Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) is a drug education program that comes to schools across the world. They will be working with our students in the classroom over the course of a week, educating on the effects of drug and alcohol on the brain, consequences of early use, but more importantly, how to focus on healthy living. They offer a unique perspective to the education as they are in long-term recovery themselves. Their parent meeting will focus on what they discuss with the students. They will also be there to answer any questions parents might have. "Prevention education works when it’s age-appropriate, ongoing and of “critical mass” to influence students’ minds, emotions and decisions over time. Time spent on prevention does not take away from learning, it enhances it. Schools committed to preventing student substance abuse are valuing, protecting and respecting children by creating climates where children learn best."Brad Sachs, MD, PhD
How to have an imperfect family and be perfectly satisfiedWeren't able to make this event? Watch it here - https://youtu.be/ileIWmR4rkc
Dr. Brad Sachs is a psychologist, educator, consultant and best-selling author specializing in clinical work with children, adolescents, couples, and families, in Columbia, Maryland, and the Founder and Director of The Father Center, a program designed to meet the needs of new, expectant, and experienced fathers.
Dr. Brad Sachs regularly writes articles on family life for magazines such as Redbook, Parenting, Parents, Child, and American Baby, is renowned for his creative and innovative treatment of children and families, and has lectured and led seminars and workshops both nationally and internationally. He has been interviewed on over three hundred radio and television shows, including The Today Show, 20/20, The Montel Williams Show, The Sally Jesse Raphael Show, and The Diane Rehm Show.
John O’Sullivan
Changing the Game: The Parents Guide to Raising Happy, High-Performing Athletes and Giving Youth Sports Back to Our Kids
http://changingthegameproject.comWeren't able to make this event? Watch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rPp_Ox5Az8&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop
John started the Changing the Game Project in 2012 after two decades as a soccer player and coach on the youth, high school, college and professional level. He is the author of the #1 bestselling books Changing the Game: The Parents Guide to Raising Happy, High Performing Athletes, and Giving Youth Sports Back to our Kids and Is it Wise to Specialize? John’s work has been featured in The Huffington Post, CNN.com, Outside Magazine, ESPN.com, Soccer America and numerous other publications. John is an internationally known speaker for coaches, parents and youth sports organizations, and has spoken for TEDx, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, US Lacrosse, IMG Academy, and at numerous other events throughout the US, Canada, Asia and Europe.When he speaks, John brings to the table a wealth of practical, hands on knowledge garnered through years of working with players and their families on sport specific development, fitness and nutrition, college recruiting, and most importantly, training high-performing athletes by creating a player-centered environment.
John received his BA from Fordham University, and his Masters from the University of Vermont. He resides in beautiful Bend, OR, with his wife, Dr Lauren O’Sullivan, and two wonderful children and aspiring young athletes: Maggie Shea, age 11, and Tiernan, age 10.
PAST EVENT
Alison Goodman, MVMS Counselor
Kate Sprague, District Technology CoachMiddle Schoolers: Owner's Manual
Alison Goodman:Talk about a day in the life of a middle schooler by grade and in general
Remind parents what middle school is like - how it is possibly similar to their experience and how it has changed
Discuss specific strategies parents can use to help kids stay organized, do work, be responsible, avoid burnout and be successful middle school students
Talk about the psycho/social aspects of middle school
Discuss how to help your child rather than do things for your child
Help tackle the homework battle (organization, getting kids to do their work, etc.)
Touch on specific points related to MVMS re: iPads, TOC's/ROAs (for math), audit, websites, etc.
Kate Sprague:Answer any technology-related questions.PAST EVENTSThe Compassion Revolution:Putting the Social Emotional Health of Girls Center Stagewith Lynn Johnson who is the co-founder/CEO of Spotlight:Girls
Explore the factors that have caused a "compassion deficit" in our communities. Learn and practice the Nine Skills of Compassion. See how approaching social-emotional learning from a gender lens benefits folks of all genders. Help girls develop skills they need to love and respect themselves, to keep themselves safe, to be more empathetic of others, and to make bold and brave choices in their lives.Lynn Johnson is a social entrepreneur and girl advocate dedicated to igniting a compassion revolution by putting girls center stage. She is the Co Founder and CEO of Spotlight:Girls, the producer of Go Girls! Camp. Based in Oakland, CA, Spotlight:Girls celebrates and activates girls and women through multi-media learning experiences, products, and events.
PAST EVENTFreedom from Chemical Dependency
Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD) is a drug education program that comes to schools across the world. They will be working with our students in the classroom over the course of a week, educating on the effects of drug and alcohol on the brain, consequences of early use, but more importantly, how to focus on healthy living. They offer a unique perspective to the education as they are in long-term recovery themselves. Their parent meeting will focus on what they discuss with the students. They will also be there to answer any questions parents might have. "Prevention education works when it’s age-appropriate, ongoing and of “critical mass” to influence students’ minds, emotions and decisions over time. Time spent on prevention does not take away from learning, it enhances it. Schools committed to preventing student substance abuse are valuing, protecting and respecting children by creating climates where children learn best."
PAST EVENTHow to Raise Resilient, Gritty, Passionate Peoplewith Harlan Cohen, New York Times Bestselling Author
From grade school to the years beyond college, life is a series of transitions for children and parents alike. Today’s parents hear more, know more, and are more involved. Technology has made it easier than ever for parents to solve, fix, and manage problems. As a result, many students leave high school without the grit, resilience, and ability to navigate the challenges awaiting them in college and life beyond. Parents are faced with new questions: Can fixing what’s broken today make it harder for my child to fix what’s broken tomorrow? Am I preparing my child to handle the social, emotional, physical, financial, and academic transition that is part of life in college, and beyond? How can I give my child room to struggle, fail, and feel uncomfortable and still be a good parent? These are some of the questions this humorous, engaging and interactive presentation will deliver.PAST EVENT
Raising Capable Kids:A Practical Guide to Understanding and Cultivating Executive FunctionDan Leibowitz, M.S., M.Ed., C.E.T
Executive Function - the set of cognitive skills that enable children to self-regulate, plan and act in a goal-directed manner - is critical to healthy academic and emotional growth. This "Swiss army knife" of thinking skills has immediate implications for achievement, independence and self-esteem.The single greatest predictor of academic success is executive function. It even trumps IQ.-Dr. John Medina, Brain Rules
About the Speaker:
Dan Leibowitz is the founder of Innovative Learning Services, is a Learning and Technology specialist in private practice and a Learning Specialist at Town School for Boys in San Francisco. Since 1997, he has worked with Bay Area students and families, designing and implementing educational interventions that utilize technology and a range of tools that improve academic outcomes and develop underlying executive skills. Well-versed in the tools and strategies that support a wide range of learners, including students with ADHD, he understands the critical role of the home and school systems in developing this vital set of skills. As a father of two, a faculty member at a school for boys and a professional who has observed the common thread of weak executive functioning in the lives of students and their families, he brings a variety of perspectives to this important issue.
PAST EVENTStaying Connected to your Teenager:How to Keep Them Talking to You and How to Hear What They're Really SayingMike Riera, Ph.D.Parenting a Teenager means thinking more in terms of influence than control -- easy to say, tough to do.-Dr. Mike RieraTeenagers are frequently misunderstood by even the most caring adults. This isn't due to lack of effort, but instead has more to do with inaccurate stereotypes and portrayals of teenagers. And the best way to cut through these superficial stereotypes is through a grounded understanding of adolescent development. Unfortunately, in this regard, much of psychology focuses on pathology and abnormality, which is of little help to parents. Teenagers are complex, but they are not impossible to understand. The goal of Mike's presentation is not to tell anybody how to parent their kids, but rather to help translate what teenagers mean (but can't say) by their behaviors and attitudes. He does this primarily by connecting research to everyday behaviors that parents see in their teens. As adults, the more we understand the meanings behind teen behavior, the more flexible we can be in our responses. This in turn means better relationships with our teenagers and healthier teenagers overall.
About the Speaker:
Mike Riera, Ph.D., is one of the country's foremost authorities on understanding children and teenagers. The San Francisco Chronicle described Mike as "the Dr. Spock for teenagers and their parents."The cornerstone of his philosophy for parents with teenagers is teaching parents to make the shift from being managers in their teenagers' lives to becoming their consultants. Mike has written or co-written five books related to teenagers and their parents, two were also featured on Oprah-Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers, and Staying Connected to Your Teenager.Sponsored by Tam High PTSA, in collaboration with Redwood High PTSA, The Ross Valley Healthy Collaborative, Mill Valley Middle PTSA, Reed Union School District, White Hill Middle Parent Club, Kentfield Schools PTA, Hall Middle School PTA, Marin Primary & Middle School.Tam High Speaker Series:
CAN WE TALK?! HELPING TEENS NAVIGATE OBSTACLES TO SELF ADVOCACY

With Charis DenisonCLICK HERE FOR NOTES FROM THE PRESENTATION
A conversation on how today's youth navigate the journey of making life choices that end in joy or regret... honor or shame.Join youth advocate and educator Charis Denison, along with some of her teen facilitators, to learn how youth are making conscious choices that affect their emotional and physical health - choices that reflect their core and evolving selves - and how we, as parents, can support those choices
We will discuss our responsibility to educate our kids on a wider definition of success that includes both academic as well as personal success; intellectual as well as emotional assertiveness. Denison is an expert in Community Involvement, Human Development, and Ethics. Parents will leave with a firm understanding of the ways pre-teens and teens are socialized to communicate around gender and the tools to teach their kids on how to self advocate in relation to those messages when it matter most. These tools enable young people to learn how to make more choices that end in honor rather than regret.
THE SWEET SPOT - HOW TO FIND YOUR GROOVE AT HOME AND WORK
With Dr. Christine Carter
Dr. Christine Carter a happiness expert at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and a speaker, writer, and mother, will talk about her popular book, The Sweet Spot.
According to Carter, "The sweet spot is that place where your greatest strengths and your greatest personal power overlap with those arenas where you find ease, where there is little resistance or stress".
She'll discuss the combination of practices that transformed her life from overwhelmed and exhausting to joyful, relaxed, and productive
“CONNECTING WITH YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOLER”
An Interactive Workshop with Elana Reinin
Back by Popular Demand! Parenting Coach and Group Facilitator Elana Reinin, on Connecting with Your Middle Schooler. Parenting middle-schoolers is not easy, and can create a lot of stress in a time when we crave joy and connection with our children. We don’t have many opportunities to share and vent all the feelings we hold about the trials, tribulations, and yes, joy of child rearing.
Join other MVMS parents of teens for support and sharing of mutual wisdom. You will walk away with new tools in your parenting toolbox, and a sense of connection with fellow parents. Plus, you’ll be asked to practice your new skills for a month. The group will reconvene after the holidays to discuss successes, failures and alternative responses and outcomes.
IT'S NOT THE MARIJUANA YOU THINK YOU KNOW - GET THE FACTSTam High Student CenterDid you miss WEED 101 held at Redwood a few weeks ago? Here is an opportunity to hear some of the important information presented that night, get the facts about today's Marijuana. You'll learn:
- How to speak to your teen about Marijuana and other substances?
- How to help your teen understand the dangers?
- What communication strategies work with teens?
- What are some preventative measures that parents can use?
- What resources are available to help and support teens and parents?
- Learn how Marijuana has and is changing and what it means.
REGISTER HERE
“HOW TO RAISE AN ADULT” Lecture and Book Signing with Julie Lythcott-HaimsMVMS Gym
Join MVMS PTSA Tam High PTSA and It Takes A Village for a Mill Valley community-wide event featuring former Stanford University Dean of Freshmen and Undergraduate Advising and Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, on the dangers of overparenting and viable solutions that give parents the backup needed to make essential changes.
How to Raise an Adult is a provocative manifesto that exposes the harms of helicopter parenting and sets forth an alternative philosophy for raising preteens and teens to self-sufficient young adulthood. In her presentation, Julie draws on her extensive research, and personal insights as the former Dean of freshman students at Stanford University. She’ll discuss the ways in which overparenting harms children, their stressed-out parents, and society at large and offers practical alternative strategies that underline the importance of allowing children to make their own mistakes and develop the resilience, resourcefulness and inner determination necessary for success.“Have the good intentions of American parents gone awry? In this timely and bracing work, Julie Lythcott-Haims chronicles the many dangers of overparenting—from thwarting children’s growth to hurting their job prospects to damaging parents’ own well-being. Then she charts a smart, compassionate alternative approach that treats kids as wildflowers to be nourished rather than bonsai trees to be cultivated. For parents who want to foster hearty self-reliance instead of hollow self-esteem, How to Raise an Adult is the right book at the right time.”—Daniel H. Pink, author of the New York Times bestsellers
“Julie Lythcott-Haims is a national treasure. She is a psychologist, sociologist, and anthropologist rolled into one, recording the attitudes and rituals of 21st-century smart kids who can’t tie their shoelaces—and of their anxious, hovering parents. Reminding us that we are charged with transforming children into adults capable of meeting the challenges of life head-on, Lythcott-Haims dispenses compassion and a good kick in the pants in equal and appropriate measure. Witty, wise, and dead-on, Lythcott-Haims is a tonic for what ails this generation of kids and parents. A must-read for every parent who senses that there is a healthier and saner way to raise our children.”—Madeline Levine, author of the New York Times bestsellersThe Price of Privilege and Teach Your Children Well
Click here to buy Julie's book "How to Raise an Adult"
“THE GIFT OF FAILURE” with Jessica Lahey
Redwood High School Gym
Watch the video of this event here.
Jessica Lahey is the author of The Gift of Failure, How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. In her presentation, she summarizes the current research on overparenting, failure, praise, and learning. She explains how parents and educators can help children get the support and encouragement to succeed over the long term, while still guiding them towards lives of independence, creativity, and courage.Lahey sets forth a blueprint with targeted advice for handling homework, report cards, social dynamics, and sports – a plan for what doesn't come naturally to most of us: stepping back and embracing our children's failures, allowing them to experience disappointment and frustration, to learn from their mistakes and setbacks, and to grow into successful, resilient, and self-reliant adults.
Jessica Lahey is a middle and high school teacher. She writes the bi-weekly column "The Parent-Teacher Conference" for the New York Times, is a contributing writer for The Atlantic, and a commentator on Vermont Public Radio. Jessica has appeared on the Today Show and HuffPost Life. Jessica earned a J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Juvenile and education law) and is an Albert Schweitzer Fellow for Life.
“HOW TO HELP YOUR MIDDLE-SCHOOLER STAY ORGANIZED” with Barbara Easterlin & Alison GoodmanSeptember 30, 2015 7:00-8:30MVMS Multi-Media Room
Adolescence is a period of rapid change, and one of the most challenging tasks, for middle school children, is staying organized. To understand what to expect during the middle school years and ways you can create opportunities for your child to have an enjoyable and successful middle-school experience; please join psychologist Barbara Easterlin, and MVMS counselor Alison Goodman, for a discussion around expanding independence, helping your pre-teen/teen get organized, stay organized and self-organize. You’ll learn:
- The 5 most important middle school skills for success
- The importance of creating realistic habits, routines, and expectations for home and school
- When it’s appropriate for a parent to be concerned or seek help for their middle-school student
- The process and development of Executive Functioning
Barbara Easterlin, PhD, licensed psychologist, serves on the clinical faculties of UCSF Department of Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Services, and UC Berkeley Department of Psychology In her private practice; Dr. Easterlin provides individual, family couple therapy as well as parenting consultation. She also provides assessment services for diagnosing ADHD, Learning Disabilities, mood and anxiety Disorders. She currently focuses on dealing with real world social issues faced by today’s tweens and teens.
Alison Goodman has her M.A. in School Counseling from the University of San Francisco. She has worked as a school counselor in Marin county for the past 10 years. She is most passionate about helping her students the amazing, quirky journey they undergo from childhood to adolescence.Parental Separation and Divorce
With Marjorie Swig, MFT
Thursday, May 7, 7 pm
MVMS Multi-Media Room
Parental separation and divorce can be a painful experience for children as it often creates many changes in their lives. Many children experience feelings such as guilt, anger, embarrassment, disbelief, fear, and grief. For several years Marjorie Swig has been facilitating grade level groups for students who have experienced a change in the family structure, and has become an expert on the subject. On May 7th she will be presenting a talk on what she has learned from students over the years, and will be welcoming a dialogue about how parents can help their children navigate these often turbulent waters.
Navigating Obstacles to Self Advocacy
With Charis Denison, MAA conversation on how today’s youth navigate the journey of making life choices that end in joy or regret… honor or shame. Charis is an expert in Community Involvement, Human Development, and Ethics. Parents will leave with a firm understanding of the ways young and pre-teens are socialized to communicate around gender and the tools to teach their kids how to self advocate in relation to those messages. These tools enable young people to lean how to make more choices that end in honor rather than regret.Join facilitator Charis Denison and a group of teens to discuss how youth are making conscious choices that affect their emotional and physical health – choices that reflect their core and evolving selves – and how we, as parents, can support those choices.
Click here for Denison's article on how to talk to teens.http://www.prajnaconsulting.com/
Digital Safety - Keeping Kids Safe in the Digital WorldWith Katie LeClerc-GreerTechnology and the increased use of social media is powerful and can be a wonderful opportunity to connect with friends and family near and far, however it is also becoming an ever increasing area of concern if not managed and monitored appropriately. For over 7 years, Katie LeClerc Greer has provided Internet/technology safety training to schools, law enforcement agencies, national conferences, and community organizations throughout the country.FCD - Freedom From Chemical DependencyAs part of our health education program and ongoing commitment to prevention and wellness, we have invited Prevention Specialists from FCD (Freedom from Chemical Dependency) Educational Services to join our 7th grade school community from December 15-18, 2014. They will be working with all of our 7th grade students through science classes.
FCD is a non-profit organization that provides substance abuse prevention education for schools. Since 1976, they have taught over a million students of all ages. Their mission is to:
- Encourage and support the non-use of alcohol and other illegal or illicit drugs during the growing years.
- Empower young people to make healthy, responsible choices regarding alcohol and other drug use
- Teach students and adults how to recognize the early warning signs of substance abuse and to intervene appropriately
- Educate students, parents, teachers, and administrators on the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol and other drugs
- Promote awareness of drug addiction, including alcoholism, as a progressive, chronic, and often fatal disease
- Provide educational communities with the guidance and training necessary to implement comprehensive, effective approaches to substance abuse prevention
FCD Prevention Specialists are highly trained professionals who have achieved long-term recovery from alcohol or other drug addictions. This unique perspective enhances the credibility of their message and provides students with role models for happy, healthy, drug-free living.
This program presents a perfect opportunity for discussing alcohol and other drug-related issues with your children. Parental involvement is crucial to our efforts to reduce the risks teenagers face. We want our students to hear from both school and home that we are concerned about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use by adolescents, and that we are committed to keeping our children safe.
The Prevention Specialists will host an FCD parent presentation on Wednesday evening, December 17th, from 7:00 - 8:30PM, in our multi-media room. Topics that will be addressed include:
- What they cover with your children during their time in the classroom
- Effective ways to communicate with your child about drugs and drug use
- Up-to-date facts about current drug use and trend
- What to say about your own experiences with alcohol and/or drug experimentation
- How to spot early warning signs of trouble and effective ways to respond
We hope to see you Wednesday evening, December 17th.
Connecting with Your Middle-Schooler - An Interactive WorkshopWith Elana Reinin, MPH, CPCC, CPDPE, Parenting CoachParenting middle-schoolers is not easy, and can create a lot of stress in a time when we crave joy and connection with our children. We don’t have many opportunities to share and vent all the feelings we hold about the trials, tribulations, and yes, joy of child rearing.
Join Group Facilitator Elana Reinin and other MVMS parents for support and sharing of mutual wisdom. You will walk away with new tools in your parenting toolbox, and a sense of connection with fellow parents. During this interactive workshop concepts like The Importance of Connection Before Correction, Focusing on the Relationship More than the Behavior, Being Fully Present, Listening Openly with No Agenda, and Being Curious/Leading with Curiosity will be introduced. After each, parents are given a few exercises to do with each other. (Sitting in groups of 6-8 around a table.)
The Middle School Years and What to ExpectWith Todd Sarner, MFTBeing a tween is hard – being the parent of a tween may be even harder. Any parent of an adolescent knows the pain of being rejected, neglected, or artfully critiqued by their teenager. It's a period of rapid change, which is both exciting and scary.To make sense of it all, MVMS' Parent-Ed Program invites you to attend our October 1st event, The Middle School Years and What to Expect, with Todd Sarner, MFT.The discussion will focus around helping new 6th-grade parents with issues around expanding independence, helping your middle-schooler self-organize and how to allow your child to develop their unique potential to flourish and grow, while maintaining a healthy parent-child relationship.In addition to our speaker, Todd Sarner, Assistant Principal Mark Nelson and a MVMS Counselor will attend with a few prepared remarks and to answer your questions when appropriate.Todd Sarner, MFT, is a certified parent consultant and educator, psychotherapist, and Director of Transformative Parenting in Marin and Sonoma counties. He has worked with children, teens, and importantly their parents for over 15 years
