2022/2023 Parent Education Events
Upcoming Parent Education Events
Wednesday, February 8, 2023, 7:30 PM
Fostering Grit and Growth Mindset: A Look into the SEL Curriculum at D103
Over the last decade, the concepts of grit & growth mindset have widely circulated in the educational community. Studies suggest that students who demonstrate a growth mindset believe in their own ability to improve after setbacks with increased effort, perseverance, and practice. So how do parents help foster a growth mindset in their children? How can the D103 curriculum help students embrace grit as a quality that can support their lifelong success?
Join us in person as we explore these topics in a two-part presentation. First, we will hear from Caroline Adelman and Kate Robison of Chicago Psychotherapy. Caroline is the clinical director and licensed clinical psychologist at Chicago Psychotherapy. She treats children, adolescents, and adults using gold standard practices from the field of psychology. along with warmth, humor and authenticity. Kate is a licensed clinical professional counselor who has worked in school-based mental health since 2015. Currently, Kate works full time at Chicago Psychotherapy and works as the Schools Program Coordinator. Together, Kate and Caroline will discuss with parents the importance of grit and growth mindset and how families can support these traits in their children.
Next, Erinn Vincent, Spanish teacher and co-chair of the SEL curriculum team at Daniel Wright will discuss why grit & growth mindset have been the focus of this year's SEL theme at DW. She will then introduce 8th grade Leaders in Learning students who will demonstrate to parents how these SEL lessons are brought into the classroom. Parents - be ready to get gritty and be challenged!
This event is open to all parents of the D103 community, but part two will specifically focus on the SEL curriculum at Daniel Wright Middle School. Part one will focus more broadly on grit & growth mindset in students of all ages, and how these themes can be incorporated into the home.
Thanks to our partners at the Vernon Area Library, part one of this presentation will be live streamed for families who cannot attend the event in person. We believe in-person attendance will provide parents with an optimal experience.
Join us in person as we explore these topics in a two-part presentation. First, we will hear from Caroline Adelman and Kate Robison of Chicago Psychotherapy. Caroline is the clinical director and licensed clinical psychologist at Chicago Psychotherapy. She treats children, adolescents, and adults using gold standard practices from the field of psychology. along with warmth, humor and authenticity. Kate is a licensed clinical professional counselor who has worked in school-based mental health since 2015. Currently, Kate works full time at Chicago Psychotherapy and works as the Schools Program Coordinator. Together, Kate and Caroline will discuss with parents the importance of grit and growth mindset and how families can support these traits in their children.
Next, Erinn Vincent, Spanish teacher and co-chair of the SEL curriculum team at Daniel Wright will discuss why grit & growth mindset have been the focus of this year's SEL theme at DW. She will then introduce 8th grade Leaders in Learning students who will demonstrate to parents how these SEL lessons are brought into the classroom. Parents - be ready to get gritty and be challenged!
This event is open to all parents of the D103 community, but part two will specifically focus on the SEL curriculum at Daniel Wright Middle School. Part one will focus more broadly on grit & growth mindset in students of all ages, and how these themes can be incorporated into the home.
Thanks to our partners at the Vernon Area Library, part one of this presentation will be live streamed for families who cannot attend the event in person. We believe in-person attendance will provide parents with an optimal experience.
Parent Education Team

Being a parent in today’s world can be overwhelming. The Parent Education committee’s mission is to present district 103’s community with events that support families in this fast-paced, ever-changing world that we share with our children. As parents from diverse backgrounds with professional connections to child development, the Parent Education committee strives to present important topics that will have deep relevance to our parent community.
Each year, the committee plans a variety of parent education events that include speakers, discussions, and workshops for families. All events are free and open to the D103 community. Our goal is to provide the parents with diverse learning opportunities throughout the school year. As a subcommittee of the D103 PTO, all events and presentations are supported by PTO membership funds.
Each year, the committee plans a variety of parent education events that include speakers, discussions, and workshops for families. All events are free and open to the D103 community. Our goal is to provide the parents with diverse learning opportunities throughout the school year. As a subcommittee of the D103 PTO, all events and presentations are supported by PTO membership funds.
The Parent Education team always welcomes your feedback.
Your input and ideas are always welcome and appreciated. Please click the link to send us your ideas.
Alissa Bencks, Rilina Ghosh, Nana Agyeman and Yue Zhao
Your input and ideas are always welcome and appreciated. Please click the link to send us your ideas.
Alissa Bencks, Rilina Ghosh, Nana Agyeman and Yue Zhao
Other Parent Organizations
Community Parent Network (CPN) - a committee of the Stevenson High School Foundation.
CPN provides parent education events to the parents of Stevenson High School
and parents from the surrounding consortium districts.
CPN provides parent education events to the parents of Stevenson High School
and parents from the surrounding consortium districts.
These events are free to all D103 parents.
Please see their website for upcoming and past events:
http://communityparentnetwork.org/about-us/who-we-are/
Family Action Network
https://www.familyactionnetwork.net/2013-14-speaker-series
Please see their website for upcoming and past events:
http://communityparentnetwork.org/about-us/who-we-are/
Family Action Network
https://www.familyactionnetwork.net/2013-14-speaker-series
Upcoming Events
- 02/08/23 - Fostering Grit and Growth Mindset: A Look into the SEL Curriculum at D103
- 03/01/23 - Self Care for the Caregivers: Evidence Based Strategies for Fostering Personal and Family Well Being - Caroline Adelman (combined with D96/D102)
2023 Past Events
January 25, 2023
Siblings: Reducing Rivalry and Building Connection
Speaker: Dr. Siggie Cohen
Siblings: Reducing Rivalry and Building Connection
Speaker: Dr. Siggie Cohen
2022 Past Events
December 6, 2022
Struggling with Screens: Managing the Overuse of Digital Tech in Our Kids
Speaker: Dr. Cliff Sussman
October 17, 2022
The Self Driven Child
Speaker: Ned Johnson
February 9, 2022
Developing Emotional Regulation Skills for Pre-k through Third Graders
Speaker: Dr. Siggie Cohen
January 19, 2022
Building Resilience and Coping Skills for 4th - 8th graders
Speaker: Dr. Siggie Cohen
Struggling with Screens: Managing the Overuse of Digital Tech in Our Kids
Speaker: Dr. Cliff Sussman
October 17, 2022
The Self Driven Child
Speaker: Ned Johnson
February 9, 2022
Developing Emotional Regulation Skills for Pre-k through Third Graders
Speaker: Dr. Siggie Cohen
January 19, 2022
Building Resilience and Coping Skills for 4th - 8th graders
Speaker: Dr. Siggie Cohen
2021 Past Events
November 10, 2021
Let's Talk About LBGTQ+: What Do Your Kids Know and How to Join the Conversation
Lizzy Appleby
October 20, 2021
Social Re-Entry: Building a Better Community by Navigating Differences and Resolving Conflict with Empathy and Respect
Carrie Goldman
September 29, 2021
Using the 3 C's: Connection, Communication, Capability to Combat Challenging Behaviors
Katherine Reynolds Lewis author of "The Good News About Bad Behavior"
Let's Talk About LBGTQ+: What Do Your Kids Know and How to Join the Conversation
Lizzy Appleby
October 20, 2021
Social Re-Entry: Building a Better Community by Navigating Differences and Resolving Conflict with Empathy and Respect
Carrie Goldman
September 29, 2021
Using the 3 C's: Connection, Communication, Capability to Combat Challenging Behaviors
Katherine Reynolds Lewis author of "The Good News About Bad Behavior"
2020 Past Events
January 20, 2021
How to raise a socially-conscious, anti-racist kid
Amber Coleman-Mortly, Sonia Mathew, and Dr. Shawn Healy
Virtual Event
How to raise a socially-conscious, anti-racist kid
Amber Coleman-Mortly, Sonia Mathew, and Dr. Shawn Healy
Virtual Event
November 9, 2020
Building Executive Functioning Skills Within your Child
Dr. Mandi Croft-Petosky & Ms. Amanda Moons, of Neuro Educational Specialists
Virtual Event
Building Executive Functioning Skills Within your Child
Dr. Mandi Croft-Petosky & Ms. Amanda Moons, of Neuro Educational Specialists
Virtual Event
October 15, 2020
Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive and Survive in the COVID World
Dr. Devorah Heitner, founder of Raising Digital Natives
Virtual Event
Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive and Survive in the COVID World
Dr. Devorah Heitner, founder of Raising Digital Natives
Virtual Event
September 23, 2020
Flattening the Curve of the Emotional Roller-Coaster: Managing Stress and Anxiety in the Family During COVID-19
Dr. Caroline Adelman of Chicago Psychotherapy
Virtual Event
Flattening the Curve of the Emotional Roller-Coaster: Managing Stress and Anxiety in the Family During COVID-19
Dr. Caroline Adelman of Chicago Psychotherapy
Virtual Event
March 6, 2020
GOT STRESS? The Impact of Anxiety on Today's Youth
Dr. Caroline Adelman & Ellen Bee, LCPC
Vernon Area Library: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
GOT STRESS? The Impact of Anxiety on Today's Youth
Dr. Caroline Adelman & Ellen Bee, LCPC
Vernon Area Library: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
January 28, 2020
Executive Functioning
Dr. Mandi Croft-Petosky
Vernon Area Library: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Executive Functioning
Dr. Mandi Croft-Petosky
Vernon Area Library: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
2019 Past Events
November 5, 2019
The Impact of Marijuana on Youth This talk will be led by Susan Sirota of Stand Strong https://www.standstrongcoalition.org/ Daniel Wright: 7:00 p.m. October 29, 2019 Half Day 3rd Grade Parent/Principal Coffee HD Loft: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. October 28, 2019 Daniel Wright 6th Grade Parent/Principal Coffee DW Library: 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. October 17, 2019 Cultivating Empathy: The Keys to Your Young Child's Success in an All About Me World Joint talk with D102 and D96 led by Dr. Michele Borba Vernon Area Library: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. September 24, 2019 Sprague Kindergarten Parent/Principal Coffee SP Library: 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. |
September 12, 2019
Be Smart for Kids Led by Police Officers & Gun Violence Volunteers Vernon Area Library: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. February 25, 2019 E-cigarette, Juuling and Vaping This talk will be led by Susan Sirota of Stand Strong https://www.standstrongcoalition.org/ https://vaping22519.eventbrite.com January 28, 2019
Starting the Conversation... How to Discuss LGBTQ+ Topics in Our Families A Guided discussion for parents and students with panel presentation. https://lgbtqfamilytopics2019.eventbrite.com January 16, 2019
The Power of Nutrition: How to fuel your family for success Nutritionist and exercise specialist Amy Baltes will lead a discussion on nutrition. https://thepowerofnutrition11619.eventbrite.com |
2018 Past Events
October 30th, 2018
Daniel Wright 6th grade principal coffee October 23, 2018 Half Day 3rd-grade principal coffee October 16, 2018 Sprague Kindergarten Principal coffee October 9, 16, and 23, 2018 Mindfulness program for the 6th graders at DW last Friday. Piloting this Mindfulness program through the staff of Full-Bloomed Lotus |
October 3rd, 2018
Jodie Segal from Elyssa’s Mission - Suicide prevention. http://elyssasmission.org/suicide-prevention/ September 24, 2018 Mindfulness with Ramaa Krishna from Full-Bloomed Lotus https://www.fullbloomedlotus.com/ |