Parent Ed Programs January—April 2009

SMART PARENTING IN AN ONLINE WORLD - a high-powered panel of guests!
Tues.  Jan 27, 7 p.m.
Spangenberg Theatre, Gunn

All Gunn parents and students invited! Free!

Let's face it: Today's children inhabit an online universe that few parents understand how to navigate, much less monitor effectively. The brave new world of texting, social networking, blogging, YouTube and video conversations has radically redefined the parent-child relationship, and has provided young people with unprecedented, 24/7 access to friends, strangers and influences outside of traditional parental control.

The Common Ground Speaker Series and Gunn PTSA Parent Ed are proud to present a panel discussion of leading experts currently working to address this issue. Each panelist brings a unique perspective and technological expertise, offering parents and educators valuable insights into the opportunities, risks and challenges presented by the online world. Please join us for an evening "offline" as we come together to increase our understanding and learn how to navigate this new frontier.

BJ Fogg, Ph.D.:
Researcher, instructor and innovator at Stanford University, where he offers a course called The Psychology of Facebook. Author of numerous books and articles on how technology influences the way we think and act, including Persuasive Technology and Mobile Persuasion.

Larry Magid, Ed.D.:
Well-known syndicated technology columnist and KCBS broadcaster, founder of SafeKids.com and SafeTeens.com, and author/co-author of several books, including MySpace Unraveled: A Parent's Guide to Teen Social Networking.

Larry Rosen, Ph.D.:
Professor of Psychology at California State University, Dominquez Hills and author of Me, MySpace and I: Parenting the Net Generation and TechnoStress: Coping with Technology at Work, at Home and at Play.

Anne Zehren:
Former media executive at Teen People, Glamour and Newsweek. Founding President of Current TV, Al Gore's user-generated cable network. Currently, President of Common Sense Media, a national organization dedicated to improving the media lives of children and teens.
Co-sponsored by Gunn PTSA. Questions? Contact carolyn@vtmedia.com

BE COMFORTABLE IN YOUR GENES: Wear Jeans That Fit the True You
Tues. Feb. 24,  7 p.m.  Gunn Library
Parents, students and community invited - free!

Barbie dolls, Ken dolls, high fashion models, TV stars, video game avatars, celebrities – they're fun, but are they for real?

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDAW) brings a panel of experts to speak to parents and students on the influence of genetics on body size and shape, and adopting a healthy lifestyle for your body type. Discussed will be the basic facts of eating disorders, prevention, exercise, eating mindfully, talking with teens about body image, cultural issues, food and the holidays, plus questions from the audience will be taken. On the panel will be Carol Dietrich of the El Camino Hospital Eating Disorders Program, NanDellheim co-author of "How I Look Journal," and Gunn teacher Kristina Gossard. Ms. Gossard will also tell us about activities at Gunn that she is coordinating in recognition of NEDAW.  
Sponsored by Gunn PTSA.  
Contact:  kgossard@pausd.org

HEARING FROM OUR TEENS:  Student Attitudes & Experience re Alcohol, Marijuana & Bullying.
Mon. Mar 2, 7 p.m.  PAUSD Board Room, 25 Churchill
An evening for parents, students, staff, & community

Exploring Oct 2008 student survey data from Gunn, Paly, JLS, Jordan and Terman with a panel of health professionals, students, & survey experts.
Info: Karin Bloom, karin@foreverbloom.us
Sponsor: PA Drug & Alcohol Community Collaborative (PADACC).

Why People Succeed & How to Foster Success
Tue. April 7, 7 p.m.   Gunn Library
All parents and students invited.

Dr. Carol Dweck, author of Mindset, and world leading researcher in the field of motivation.
Professor of Psychology at Stanford University
examines the self-conception people use to structure and guide their behavior
Self-conceptions, their role in motivation & self-regulation, and their impact on achievement and interpersonal process.
Contact:  homa_yazdani@yahoo.com

Let's REALLY Talk About College
Wed. April 22, 7:00 p.m.
Haymarket Theatre, Palo Alto High School
All parents and students invited!

Explore paths for success that are right for students in a panel discussion.
Sponsored by SHARE, Co-sponsored by PTA Council & Gunn PTSA
Info: carolyn@vtmedia.com