PACA’s Parent Education committee brings a variety of speakers, movies, and discussions to CA each year to help our parent community learn more about issues facing our children, their education, our families, our community, and more.
Two films, “Miss Representation” and “The Mask You Live In”, were screened for parents in January 2019.
Each film addresses a gender-specific topic that affects children of all ages – please see links above for trailers and more information to help you determine which film you’d like to view that evening.
These thought-provoking documentaries focus on societal roadblocks that keep our children from flourishing and provide thoughtful information and examples of how to help them work through their challenges. ALL of our children have to navigate some tricky gender stereotypes as well as societal pressure around gender and there can be negative implications of that. Discussion of the gender messaging our kids receive- whether they are male, female, gender fluid, dealing with gender stereotypes related to sexual orientation or anything else-took place.
Dr. Suzanne Ritter and Michelle Schroeder-Lowrey: Flourishing Part 1 (November 2019)
“Flourishing” was made the Parent Education’s theme for the 2019-20 academic year. Flourishing is the practice of using psychology to grow or “flourish” from a position of wellness, not just a method to cure sickness. Suzanne (US Counselor) and Michelle (LS Teacher), with sponsorship from Academy, pursued certifications in Positive Psychology in 2018 and they have both been weaving this practice into professional development for the faculty since then. Suzanne and Michelle brought interactive experiences to demonstrate how positive psychology affects your daily life, and how it is woven into the daily activities of your students at Columbus Academy.
Shawn Achor’s TED talk is recommended viewing as a supplement to this program:
Resources and Links for Supporting Healthy Technology Use
Websites and articles to manage technology, the Internet, and media use:
Tools for Managing Children’s Technology Use:
Understanding the Effects of Technology Use