Parents+ Fall 2015

Parents+ Fall 2015

The Montgomery Academy extends its pursuit of excellence to supporting parents through PARENTS+ enrichment programs designed to target different high interest topics and engage parents of students in all divisions of our school. The parent offerings relate to areas of character development, intellectual development, and wellness issues for students. The Academy embraces the opportunity to explore these topics with parents as they gather information, learn strategies, and create a community of support as we help our students successfully navigate the physical, emotional, and social issues of life. The PARENTS OF THE ACADEMY partners with the school administration to present special parent programs and provide online resource materials. We hope parents will join us for many events and take time to explore the additional resources on our website.

Contact John McWilliams Associate Head of School, at john_mcwilliams@montgomeryacademy.org for more information or suggestions for future program ideas. Rita Bullard is the POA PARENTS+ representative.

Math in Focus: Understanding the Singapore Math Approach Debbie Kranzusch & Amy Berry October 13 12:00 Noon in the Lower School Music Room OR 6:00 P.M. in the Wilson Theater This year, we have launched a new math program in Kindergarten through the 5th Grade! In this session, learn about the philosophy behind Math in Focus and see some sample lessons in action. Teachers Amy Berry (2nd) and Debbie Kranzusch (5th) will help interested parents understand the Singapore Math approach and understand why so many outstanding schools around the world are making the jump to this methodology of teaching math.

Technology @ MA: Family Sharing and iPad Restrictions John Tracy & Larry Vinson October 22 at 12:00 Noon in Mazyck Commons Over the past year, Apple has launched some powerful changes in how their iCloud system functions, and we want our families to understand how those changes could be beneficial to them. In this session, our tech team, Larry Vinson & John Tracy, will explain how Family Sharing works and how our families can use this system to save money and avoid confusion with their family members. Additionally, this session will help families understand how parental restrictions work on the iPad and how to set up those restrictions so that students will be protected and able to complete all school work.

Beyond Measure, Film & Discussion November 10 at 7:00 P.M. in Wilson Theater Special Community Event: We are pleased to offer an exclusive screening of the new film Beyond Measure on the MA Campus. In 2011, we hosted a screening of Race to Nowhere, and we are now pleased to offer a new documentary from the same director.

More about the film from the producers: “In Race to Nowhere, director Vicki Abeles unveiled the dark side of America’s achievement culture. In her follow up, Beyond Measure, Abeles shows what’s possible in education when we trust in the ingenuity of students, parents, and teachers. Communities transform education by putting research and proven, innovative models into practice. From rural Kentucky to New York City, we spotlight schools that are breaking away from our outmoded, test-driven education culture and pioneering a new vision for our classrooms. Beyond Measure fills a void that too many other education stories have left empty: a positive picture of what’s innovative and possible in American education when communities decide they are ready for change. In chorus with experts including Sir Ken Robinson, Linda Darling-Hammond, Yong Zhao, Alison Gopnik, and Daniel Pink, the change makers in Beyond Measure prove that a new vision and a higher purpose are possible for American education.”

Avoiding “Overparenting” in the 21st Century: A Discussion of The Gift of Failure & How to Raise an Adult Jan Pringle, Sarah Thomas & Ed Billingslea November 17 at 12:00 Noon in Mazyck Commons

Join all three of our division directors for a panel discussion of two books that are challenging parents and educators to think about how we are preparing our children to work through struggles in their lives. Both How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims and The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey have garnered national attention by forcing adults to think about how we need to handle situations when we encounter children who are struggling. This discussion will focus on how parents and educators can partner to help prepare our students for their futures as adults and how we can empower our students to become more independent problem-solvers.

What’s Happening to My Child?

Dr. Dina Winston December 2 at 12:00 Noon in Mazyck Commons

Montgomery Pediatrician and former MA parent, Dr. Dina Winston, will lead a session focused on preparing parents for the physical and psychological changes that children will experience during the Middle School years. Although this program is designed for 5th grade parents, any parents are welcome to attend.