Parent University
We believe that when parents and schools learn together -- everyone learns more!
District 64 Parent University enters its fifth year in 2018-19 offering a series of free evening events tailor-made for all parents and adult community members to extend their own learning. Join us!
Screenwise, Helping Kids Survive and Thrive in their Digital World featuring Author, Dr. Devorah Heitner
Wednesday December 5, 2018 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Emerson Middle School (multipurpose room), 8101 N. Cumberland, Niles
Dr. Heitner returns to D64 with her new book . . . copies will be available for purchase!
Rather than worry that kids are addicted, detached or distracted because of digital devices, Devorah Heitner focuses on how parents can offer mentorship to help kids thrive, develop social skills and succeed in a future where they will likely find a job and build their reputations in interactive, digital communities. Drawing from Screenwise, her popular new guidebook for parents and from the latest research, Dr. Heitner provides gems of guidance to help parents become confident digital media mentors to texters, gamers and social media users from preschool to young adult. You'll learn what it is like for children to grow up in a world where school experiences, family life and friendships are all shaped by digital connections and how you can share your own lifetime of social wisdom to mentor children to become the best people they can be.
Dr. Devorah Heitner is an expert on young people's relationship with digital media and technology and the founder of Raising Digital Natives. Her mission is to cultivate a culture of empathy and social/emotional literacy. Dr. Heitner's work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, TIME magazine and Education Week. She has a Ph.D. in Media/Technology & Society from Northwestern University and has taught at DePaul and Northwestern. She is delighted to be raising her own digital native.
A Family Night of Making, Coding and STEAMing
Wednesday, November 28, 2018, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Lincoln Middle School, 200 S. Lincoln, Park Ridge
JOIN THE GLOBAL < MAKER & STEAM > MOVEMENT! Back by popular demand, this all-ages Parent University event invites families to join the technology department for a hands-on night of Making, Coding and STEAMing (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) exploration. You will try MakerSpace activities, coding with your family, and learn about the fundamental ideas behind our innovation and design mindset. Families will have the opportunity to learn and problem-solve through exploration and play. Popular activities from last year's family night are back, along with some new ideas and activities to explore!
Please RSVP by clicking HERE to help us prepare for the event. Walk-ins are welcome, too! The evening is free.
The evening is facilitated by D64 Library Info Specialist and Instructional Tech Coaches Denise Reeder, Rachel Labuz, Kevin Michael, Megan Preis and Jessica Radek.
Gsuite for Education
September 12, 2018 - All parents were invited to attend this program on Gsuite for Education, which is an integral part of District 64's Learning Ecosystem as students are given the opportunity to use this powerful productivity tool in their daily learning environments. In this Parent University session, parents learned about Google Drive, how it works, and the awesome suite of apps students can use to practice their creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. We reviewed the basics of Google Drive and highlighted some of the great ways G Suite is used for student learning and supporting students as they practice the 4C's – communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. The evening was facilitated by D64 Instructional Technology Coaches Kevin Michael and Angel Villarreal, and was free and open to all adult members of the community.
A Different Kind of Cool
August 16, 2018
The first Parent University of the 2018-19 school year featured a presentation by Jack Gallagher, former educator, comedian, author and Dad. "Cool" is something that stands out from the crowd and makes the person an individual -- unique from everyone else. Gallagher demonstrated from his own personal experiences how important it is to accept differences in people. . . and how our definition of "cool" may differ from others'. His presentation focused on his relationship with his son, who is a child with autism, whom Gallagher has come to realize is truly a "Different Kind of Cool." His talk illustrated the intersection of family, school and community working together to support the unique needs of every child.
A professional comedian, author, actor, TV host and three-time Emmy Award winner, Jack Gallagher has been entertaining for most of his life -- first as a child for his family, then for friends and teachers at school before adopting it as a career. Adapted from his one-man play, a "Different Kind of Cool" is his own funny, relatable, and ultimately moving story.
