news & events

Redwood Day School Parents’ Association invites the East Bay community to attend the fourth annual Parent University conference on Saturday, January 30, 2010, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.  Parent University provides attendees with key information and insights on some of the most important topics faced by today’s families. 

The keynote presenter is best-selling author Po Bronson, co-author of NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children. In NurtureShock, released in September 2009, Bronson’s central premise is that many of modern society’s strategies for nurturing children, from toddlers to teens, are backfiring – because key twists in the science have been overlooked. NurtureShock has been featured on Good Morning America, Nightline, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, and in Newsweek.

Bronson has built a career as a successful novelist and as a prominent writer of narrative nonfiction. He has published five books, and he has written for television, magazines, and newspapers including Time, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and for National Public Radio's Morning Edition. He writes regularly for New York magazine and for The Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom

“Redwood Day School is delighted to host this parenting conference once again,” said Dr. Mike Riera, Head of School.  “As every parent and guardian knows, each stage of child development presents unique challenges. As a school, Redwood Day is committed to helping adults better understand the children and teens in their care and to provide families with a variety of tools and strategies that they can use immediately.”

Dr. Riera—a nationally recognized educator, speaker, author, and media figure on issues of child and adolescent development—will speak on “Resiliency” and will also co-present a workshop on “The Middle School Years Through the Lens of Art History” with Assistant Head of School and Middle School Director, Warren Sepkowitz. “It’s a fun way to consider adolescent and young adult development  --  from the angst and drama of Munch’s ‘The Scream’ to the group dynamics of ‘The Last Supper.’ Paintings that we’ve all looked at a hundred times provide memorable visual  lessons about developmental psychology and the emerging sense of self,” explains Riera.

In addition, visitors can attend three of fifteen workshops, including:

• Learned Optimism: Is It Possible to Depression-Proof Your Child?
• Dignified Discipline
• Meeting the Emotional Needs of Academically Gifted Children
• Reducing Conflict: How Well Does Your Childs Temperament “Fit” with Yours?
• How to Be a Terrific Sports Parents: Making Athletics a Positive Experience for Your Child
• Teaching Kids Math and Reading
• The Middle School Years Through the Lens of Art History
• The Learning Body: Movement in the Classroom
• Straightlaced: How Gender Has Us All Tied Up – An Honest Look at Tweens, Teens, & Sexuality
• Powerful Relationship Principles to Strengthen Both Your Marriage & Your Parenting
• Understanding & Dealing with Sibling Rivalry
• How Not to Make A Mess Out of Alcohol and Drug Discussions with Pre-Teens
• Teaching Kids Financial Literacy

There will also be a Resource Fair, featuring vendors dedicated to the needs of the community—camps, birthday party venues, and a bookstore featuring parenting books. Representatives will be on hand to display and discuss their products and services.

This event is open to the public.  Space is limited and registration is required. Registration includes keynote, three workshops, resource fair, bagel breakfast, and lunch.  For more information and online registration, visit http://www.rdschool.org/News_and_Events/Parent_University.