The Parent Education Network ("PEN") coordinates opportunities for parent education on a wide range of topics, including academic, social/emotional, and health/wellness areas of child development. Keep scrolling for more information and to register for PEN's exciting lineup of events throughout the year!
An Evening With Julia Minson, PhD
Thursday, October 17 | Reception 6 p.m. | Speaker 6:30p.m. | Anschutz Commons
Topics Will Include...
Overview: Every day, conflict destroys families, organizations, and communities. Yet, some disagreement is an inevitable part of our social lives and is required for wise personal decision-making and even the functioning of democracy. Please join us for a joint event hosted by the Parent Education Network (PEN) and the School Culture Advisory Committee (SCAC) to discuss academic insights from psychology, economics, and decision science to foster more constructive disagreement in your life.
Topics Will Include...
- An overview of the psychology of disagreement and conflict.
- Frameworks and practical tools for managing challenging conversations in turbulent times, including the election cycle and through world crises.
- Discussion around disagreeing constructively both in our personal and professional relationships.
- Discussion around disagreeing constructively both in our personal and professional relationships.
About Julia Minson, PhD: Julia Minson is an Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She is a decision scientist with research interests in conflict, negotiations, judgment, and decision-making. Her primary line of research addresses the “psychology of disagreement”—how do people engage with opinions, judgments, and decisions that are different from their own?
Julia is the organizer of the HKS Conflict Management and Depolarization speaker series, sponsored by the Center for Public Leadership and the Management Leadership and Decision Sciences Area.
Prior to coming to the Kennedy School, Julia served as an adjunct lecturer at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where she taught Negotiations at both the MBA and the undergraduate levels. She received her PhD in social psychology from Stanford University and her bachelor's in psychology from Harvard University.
Josh's Book Club
Wednesday, January 15 | 6 p.m. | Graland Library
2024-25 Book Selection: "Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro
2024-25 Book Selection: "Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Overview: In Kazuo Ishiguro's bestselling novel, the Nobel laureate gives us a perspective on the future through the eyes of a unique narrator. As we witness a futuristic world through Klara, an artificial friend, we gain insights into what it means to see others deeply and be deeply seen, even in the midst of artificial intelligence. Please join Josh Cobb for an exploration of this novel that will delve into Graland's attributes of a graduate and how they may manifest in the future.
An Evening With Devorah Heitner, PhD
Tuesday, February 25 | Reception 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Speaker Begins 6:30 p.m. | Anschutz Commons
Overview: Navigating technology with kids can be overwhelming–we are faced with concerns about what is age-appropriate, how tech and social media impact mental health, and how to foster safe, responsible online habits. The GPA and PEN (Parent Education Network) invite you to an evening with bestselling author and speaker Devorah Heitner, PhD to learn how to negotiate these concerns with confidence. She will discuss strategies to help children survive and thrive in their ever-evolving digital world. Dr. Heitner's pragmatic, research-informed, and empathetic approach encourages parents to transition from fear-based responses to becoming tech-savvy, supportive role models.
Topics Will Include...
- An age-appropriate, realistic approach to devices and social media.
- How to reduce conflict around screen time and set appropriate boundaries.
- The tools to initiate conversations on sharing, privacy, and mindful tech use.
- Why texting, gaming, and social media are social spaces requiring social skills–and how to help kids develop them.
- The importance of mentoring over monitoring.
About Devorah Heitner, PhD: Dr. Devorah Heitner is the author of "Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World" and "Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World." Her work has appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN Opinion. She has a PhD in media/technology & society from Northwestern University and has taught at DePaul and Northwestern. She is delighted to be raising her own teenager and she lives with her family in Chicagoland. You can follow her on Substack and Instagram @devorahheitnerphd.
Overview: Navigating technology with kids can be overwhelming–we are faced with concerns about what is age-appropriate, how tech and social media impact mental health, and how to foster safe, responsible online habits. The GPA and PEN (Parent Education Network) invite you to an evening with bestselling author and speaker Devorah Heitner, PhD to learn how to negotiate these concerns with confidence. She will discuss strategies to help children survive and thrive in their ever-evolving digital world. Dr. Heitner's pragmatic, research-informed, and empathetic approach encourages parents to transition from fear-based responses to becoming tech-savvy, supportive role models.
Topics Will Include...
- An age-appropriate, realistic approach to devices and social media.
- How to reduce conflict around screen time and set appropriate boundaries.
- The tools to initiate conversations on sharing, privacy, and mindful tech use.
- Why texting, gaming, and social media are social spaces requiring social skills–and how to help kids develop them.
- The importance of mentoring over monitoring.
GOOD TO KNOW: Dr. Heitner will also be speaking to Middle school Students. Join us at the PEN event and learn how to keep the conversation with your Middle Schooler going at home.
About Devorah Heitner, PhD: Dr. Devorah Heitner is the author of "Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World" and "Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World." Her work has appeared in the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN Opinion. She has a PhD in media/technology & society from Northwestern University and has taught at DePaul and Northwestern. She is delighted to be raising her own teenager and she lives with her family in Chicagoland. You can follow her on Substack and Instagram @devorahheitnerphd.
ISACS Parent Series: Expert-Led Webinars for Parental Support
Graland has signed up for the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) Virtual Parent Series and is excited to offer participation to our community. This informative series features six one-hour Zoom evening webinars led by experts in education, parenting, and child development. Connect with other independent school parents and gain valuable insights to support your children's growth. Learn more here and register below.
* You must register for the event by 2:00 p.m. on the day of the event. *
September 25, 2024 | Lynn Lyons
Register Here
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Back-To-School Momentum: Prepping
Children of All Ages for the Challenges
(& Successes) of a New School Year
November 19, 2024 | Jennifer Wallace
Register Here
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Never Enough: When Achievement Pressure
Becomes Toxic—And What We Can Do About It
January 15, 2025 | Phyllis L. Fagell
Register Here
5:30-6:30 p.m.
How to Raise Socially Skilled Tweens & Teens
Who Can Navigate Friendship Challenges
February 12, 2025 | Hasan Merali
Register Here
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Squish the Peas: Life Lessons from Toddlers
on How to Live a Happier, Healthier Life
March 11, 2025 | Ken Ginsburg
Register Here
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Raise Your Children & Adolescents to be
Authentically Successful, Emotionally
Healthy & Prepared to Thrive
April 9, 2025 | Michael Thompson
Register Here
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Planning for Summers of Growth & Joy
* You must register for the event by 2:00 p.m. on the day of the event. *
September 25, 2024 | Lynn Lyons
Register Here
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Back-To-School Momentum: Prepping
Children of All Ages for the Challenges
(& Successes) of a New School Year
November 19, 2024 | Jennifer Wallace
Register Here
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Never Enough: When Achievement Pressure
Becomes Toxic—And What We Can Do About It
January 15, 2025 | Phyllis L. Fagell
Register Here
5:30-6:30 p.m.
How to Raise Socially Skilled Tweens & Teens
Who Can Navigate Friendship Challenges
February 12, 2025 | Hasan Merali
Register Here
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Squish the Peas: Life Lessons from Toddlers
on How to Live a Happier, Healthier Life
March 11, 2025 | Ken Ginsburg
Register Here
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Raise Your Children & Adolescents to be
Authentically Successful, Emotionally
Healthy & Prepared to Thrive
April 9, 2025 | Michael Thompson
Register Here
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Planning for Summers of Growth & Joy
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
