Parent Ed Events

Spring 2023 Parent Ed

One of the central values in Presbyterian School's mission is the family’s role in the educational partnership. From our beginning thirty years ago, the School has been and continues to be committed to educating parents along with students. Our Parent Education Program has long sought to provide a substantive curriculum for adult learners—parents, grandparents, faculty members, and friends alike. Our parent education offerings span a variety of topics designed to appeal to a diversity of ages, disciplines, and issues so that parents of Early Childhood students benefit as do parents of Lower and Middle School students. Our Parent Ed program focuses on topics that educate Presbyterian School families on our six core values; perseverance, courage, integrity, gratitude, respect and compassion.

Upcoming Events

Understanding Suicide and Self-Harm in Today's Youth (FEB. 6, 8 and 10)

During this virtual three day Parent Ed series, community mental health professionals will discuss current trends in self-harm and suicide in today's youth as well as provide practical tools on how to navigate this topic within the family. More information about each session can be found below. We welcome you to submit questions for the presenters prior to their presentation. Click here to submit a question.

Dr. André Napier
February 6 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Join the Zoom

Dr. Napier will examine the prevalence of suicide among today's youth, and highlight useful tools and strategies on how to approach real life scenarios concerning thoughts of suicide.

Dr. André Napier, PS alumni parent (Andre '14, Arden '16, Rande '22), has been a part of the Presbyterian community for over 10 years, but he will always be best known for creating the PS Dad's: Hot Dog Takeover! He holds a doctorate in Behavioral Health Management, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Houston VA. He is also a therapist and consultant for the National Basketball Players Association.

Dr. Teandra Gordon
February 8 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Join the Zoom

Dr. Teandra Gordon will explore suicide from a faith-based perspective. In her interactive presentation, she will provide practical tools for instilling a sense of self-esteem, hope, and purpose and understanding how these topics connect to developmental stages in children. Parents will learn to utilize their faith and scripture in both coping and understanding the impact of suicide and suicidal ideation.

Dr. Teandra Gordon, PS alumni parent (Brian '17), is a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, and speaker with a wealth of experience working with individuals and families in counseling. She spent 10 years at Legacy Community Health where her final role was Vice President of School Based Health, overseeing the operation of various school-based health centers. Dr. Gordon is currently Senior Director of Program at BrainAbouts, a neuroscience based high risk behavior prevention program, and Executive Director at Harvest Point Counseling, a faith-based counseling center developed in partnership with Harvest Point Fellowship Church. As a former elementary school teacher, Dr. Gordon has a wealth of knowledge about the intersection of parenting, faith, mental health, and education. Dr. Gordon has been invited to deliver testimony to the Texas Senate Select Committee on Violence in Schools and School Security and to the Texas House Committee on Public Health. She is passionate about helping individuals and families to live, love, and reach their God-given potential with purpose. Dr. Gordon is also the author of the book Purpose Filled Parenting.

Dr. Janet Chen
February 10 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Join the Zoom

Dr. Janet Chen will discuss how mental health professionals identify children at risk of self-harm or suicide, the next steps after identification, and the importance of maintaining open lines of communication within families.

Dr. Janet Chen is double board certified in Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She previously served as the Chief of Child and Adolescent ambulatory service at the New York Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medicine in Manhattan and was the Medical Director of the Child Psychiatry Access Network at UT Health McGovern Medical School in Houston. During her time on the faculty at both prominent academic universities, she grew the collaborative care relationship between the Division of Child Psychiatry and Department of Pediatrics by providing specialized training to other physicians. She has presented at multiple national conferences and has been featured on television and podcasts discussing parenting strategies. In addition, Dr. Chen was awarded a Zero Suicide Initiative grant from the Cardinal Health Foundation in August 2020 to study prevention and treatment of suicide within the NYPH system. In addition to this work, Dr. Chen also operates her own private practice, Empire Behavioral Health, in Houston.

Coffee with the Division Heads (FEB. 10)

Grandparents and Special Friends ArtReach (Feb. 16)

ArtReach
February 16 | 1:00 p.m. | Founders Hall Plaza

Do your Grandparents and Special Friends enjoy art? We invite our guests to join us on February 16 for a new optional activity! Guests will enjoy a guided tour of the Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH) led by PS parent and artist, Kellie Lawrence (Rose '27 and Sadie '23) and PS teacher, Leslie Wade. Enjoy a museum experience curated just for PS Grandparents and Special Friends, as well as a chance to meet other members of our community. This is an excellent opportunity for those that would like to experience Presbyterian School's special partnership with local museums. If you plan to attend, please RSVP below. This activity is for Grandparents and Special Friends only and will NOT include students.

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Past Events

Puberty and Sex Education Curriculum (Jan. 4)

Puberty and Sex Education
January 4 | 11:00 a.m. (7th grade) or 12:00 p.m. (4th & 5th grade) | Zoom

Part of the School's comprehensive wellness curriculum includes an overview of puberty with 4th and 5th grade students and a sex ed discussion with 7th grade students. Join our School Counselors, Becky Swope (EC/LS) and Cortney Kindall-Ritchey (MS), as they review this curriculum at a virtual Parent Ed on January 4. This Parent Ed will be held in advance of the talks at school that students will receive on January 6 from medical professionals in our community.

This Parent Ed is designed to give parents the opportunity to raise questions about what will be presented to students and to be prepared to continue these conversations at home. While these events are specific to 4th, 5th, and 7th grade parents, anyone is invited to join. Please email Macy Land for a Zoom link if you would like to attend but do not have a child in these grade levels.

Bringing Out Your Kid's Best Behavior (Jan. 25 and 26)

Bringing Out Your Kid's Best Behavior
January 25 (PK3-2nd) and January 26 (3rd-6th) | 8:15 a.m. | LC181

Parenting a child who is strong-willed is tough! During this presentation, Dr. Stewart Pisecco will help us better understand why children engage in challenging behaviors and share practical strategies you can use at home to effectively manage the most common types of these behaviors, including temper tantrums, mild aggression, hyperactivity, impulsive responding, and inattention.

Dr. Stewart Pisecco is a licensed psychologist who specializes in child and adolescent psychology. For the past 20 years, he has done extensive research on the assessment and treatment of ADHD, behavioral problems, and reading difficulties. Dr. Pisecco's work has focused on the development of evidence-based digital interventions for disruptive child behavior. He is also a former Fulbright Research Scholar and the past recipient of several research and teaching awards while at the University of Houston. Additionally, his 2011 TEDx Talk titled Behavior Matters has been named to the top 100 ranked psychology talks.

Please Note: We are offering two Parent Ed sessions that are specific to certain age ranges. Parents with children in PK3-2nd grade should attend the session on January 25. Parents with children in 3rd-6th grades should attend the session on January 26.

Dad's Breakfast (Feb. 2)

Dad's Breakfast
February 2 | 7:15 a.m. | LC181

We are excited to bring back our Dad's Only Breakfasts! Please join Head of School, Dr. Mark Carleton for breakfast and conversation with PS parent James Click, former GM of the Houston Astros and former Vice President of Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Rays. Tickets are $10 and available for purchase using the link below. As a reminder, PK4-8th grade students may participate in Early Care from 7:15 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

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Questions?

If you have any questions about a parent education event, please contact Mimi Traylor, Director of Annual Fund & Volunteers. Feedback from events and suggestions for future events are also appreciated.

EMAIL MIMI TRAYLOR