2007-08+Speakers+and+Topics

author of [|A Mind at a Time] and [|Ready or Not, Here Life Comes]
 * Speaker:** [|Dr. Mel Levine]


 * Topic:** Our mission as parents and educators: develop the total child, endorsing and nurturing individual strengths and uniqueness, to generate responsible, compassionate, contributing members of our expanding global community.

Submitted by: Cheryl Krupczak

In searching for a theme that would appeal to //all// of the NISC member schools, it seemed a good starting point was to go back to the roots and consult the **mission statements** of each of the schools. The mission statements of [|Atlanta Girls' School], [|Atlanta Speech School], [|Lovett], [|Pace], [|Trinity], and [|Westminster], all share a common theme that binds the schools together in a fundamental, unified goal. That goal is to:


 * develop the whole person - The whole person means the totality of intellectual, emotional, aesthetic, spiritual and physical capabilities that make him or her a unique individual


 * endorse and nurture individual strengths and uniqueness, to cultivate each student's God-given talents, to build in each child the knowledge that his/her uniqueness is appreciated and valued


 * instill creative and critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and a love of learning, and that knowing how to learn is as important as what one learns


 * develop self-knowledge, responsible citizenship, respect for diversity, service to others, moral integrity, environmental awareness, and sensitivity to issues of global significance


 * to prepare students for work-life readiness -- allow students to gain confidence, discipline, and courage and enable them to grow into resilient, responsible, and productive leaders of their communities

These goals and ideals are directly prescribed by [|Dr. Mel Levine], world-renown pediatrician and researcher into the learning processes of children and young adults. In his book, [|A Mind at a Time], Dr. Levine calls for us to recognize that every mind is different and that minds are //"wired"// with individual strengths and affinities. Like tools in a tool chest, a mind's [|neurodevelopmental functions] (memory, attention, spatial ordering, language processing, etc.) work together as implements for learning and for applying what's learned. As we seek to develop the whole child and instill intellectual curiosity and a love of learning, parents, educators, and the students themselves should understand their mind's tool chest (neurodevelopmental functions) and how to use their "strong" tools to compensate for tools that may not be as strong.


 * Every mind is different** -- understanding what each mind is //"wired"// for can help prepare students for work-life readiness and guide them along the path to becoming compassionate, contributing members of our expanding global community.

Are parents and educators preparing students for work-life readiness?
//"We are in the midst of an epidemic of work-life unreadiness because an alarming number of emerging adults are unable to find a good fit between their minds and their career directions.. . our population of career-unready adults is expanding, and doing so at an alarming pace -- like a contagious disease. "

"Rearing and educating children involves establishing some long-range priorities. I believe there is at present a vast gulf between what is taught in school and what is essential to learn for a gratifying adult work life."

" . . the ability to think critically, to brainstorm, to monitor and refine your own performance, to communicate convincingly, and to plan and preview work are among the important skills that could make or break startup adults across countless occupations." >Dr. Mel Levine//

Mel Levine's book, [|Ready or Not, Here Life Comes], is about preparing kids for the tough demands of adult life as they transition from adolescence into the startup years as contributing members of society.

Mel Levine at Trinity
Trinity was fortunate to host Dr. Mel Levine this past September for a one-day visit to our school. Mel met with the heads of school from various neighboring schools in the morning, followed by a brief talk with parents, and then development with staff. I was struck by how powerful his (limited) talk was here, and that everyone I hear from states how dramatic and informative his presence is. Parents and teachers from Trinity are eager to have Mel back again!

Ideas for Student Projects
Mel advocates that each child should identify an affinity, a passion, and then learn everything they can to become the "local expert" on that topic. If Johnny's thing is spiders, the kids on the playground should say "Hey! Look at this spider. Get Johnny over here!"


 * idea:** have children identify something they're passionate to learn about.

Mel advocates that by the time they're ready to graduate high school, each child should have been required to write at least one business plan and one research grant proposal to promote their idea.


 * Speaker:** [|Dr. Michael Thompson]


 * Topic:** helping our children with social problems


 * Books:** [|books] //Raising Cain, Best Friends/Worst Enemies, The Pressured Child//

//From parent Stacey Lewinstein://

I am currently reading //"Mom, They're Teasing Me"// by Michael Thompson. I have only just started it but I have found it interesting. One thing that I'm learning is that social issues are something that many of us are so ill-equipped to deal with and they leave us somewhat helpless as well. We can't go and fix it for our children yet these situations that arise are such an integral part of their world. I think it would be interesting and helpful to have some social topics presented to help "coach" parents in helping our children with the social portion of their school day which can impact them not only on the playground but at home and in the classroom as well.

Pace recommendation: //Understanding and combating the impact of society's propaganda on the morals, values and priorities of our// //children .// A Saturday (3/17/07) NYTimes column by Judith Warner would include parents in the term 'society' - we will not change the messages of the media but we can control our own comments and behavior. to that end, We would suggest the featured speaker be Jean Kilbourne. She spoke at Pace several years ago. I don't know in what capacity, but the message was strong. See her website for more info: http://www.jeankilbourne.com/.Posted by Linda Davis for the Pace2 committee

Proposed topic from the Westminster parent reps – “Treating Affluenza” (Submitted by Janet Lavine) From wikipedia: Affluenza -- **affluenza,** n. a painful, [|contagious], socially transmitted condition of overload, [|debt], [|anxiety] and [|waste] resulting from the dogged pursuit of more. (de Graaf, 2002) We wrestled with the topic of “money management for children – teaching fiscal responsibility” and with the topic of “fostering life long community service”. In some respects, programming relating to “affluenza” can/should cover both of these areas. Observations include: Our children have many opportunities given to them – from material goods to educational programming, enrichment, etc. Can we help them appreciate these many gifts and help them understand differences between consumerism in adults (earned?) and consumerism in children (entitlement? expectation?) How will our children learn to be “philanthropic” – regardless of their personal/family financial situation? What does “giving back” really mean? How do we stress careful budgeting in children/teens when they often see us as parents as excessive discretionary consumers? What fiscal responsibilities should we impose on children – clothing allowance, knowledge of tuition bills, etc.? How can families (parents and children) establish a pattern of charitable giving.and how should those donations be decided? Resources: -- lots of books, speakers on the topic of “affluenza” -- google the word to get a sampling Possible tie-in with Glenn Institute at Westminster which was founded to teach philanthropy to students – Philanthrophy 101 course in high school, summer programming.
 * affluenza,** n. 1. The bloated, sluggish and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses. 2. An epidemic of stress, overwork, waste and indebtedness caused by dogged pursuit of the American Dream. 3. An unsustainable addiction to economic growth. (PBS)

Speaker: Mary Pipher, Ph.D. Books: The Shelter of Each Other; Reviving Ophelia Topic: In Shelter of Each Other, Pipher offers simple solutions for keeping our families in tact and healthy and, thereby, resisting the worst of the culture surrounding us. Pipher combines nostalgia with a call to action in a time where the vitality of the American Family is challenged. Pipher is also well-known for her research into the lives of adolescent girls. Riviving Ophelia is considered a must-read for parents of daughters. Therefore, Pipher could do 2 talks. Sumitted by Mace Hall: Trinity School

Speaker: Thomas Friedman
 * Topic:** Helping parents prepare students to live, work, and participate in a "flat" connected world.