Thursday, September 3, 2015

Dr. Laurence Steinberg on Teen Behavior


Dr Laurence Steinberg joins us for two GPS events in January. He frowarded this article "The Terrible Teens: Whats Wrong With Them" published in this month's New Yorker magazine.

In adolescence, the brain is wired to experience pleasure more intensely than before or after. Credit Illustration by Édith Carron


Mark your calendar for the GPS events with Dr. Laurence Steinberg:

Tuesday January 26, 2016 
“Age of Opportunity: The New Science of Adolescence”
Myth-shattering, research-based information on the capacity of the teenage brain
7:00pm College of DuPage McAninch Arts Center

Wednesday, January 27, 2016
The Essential Guide to Adolescence ages 10-25: Teen Behavior Explained
12:00PM-2:30PM CCSD District 93 Administration Center

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Carlotta Walls LaNier

Parents and Students Share Takeaways from GPS event "A Mighty Long Way"


At Glenbard Parent Series/Family Read kickoff event, Carlotta Walls LaNier, author of "A Might Long Way: My Walk to Justice at Little Rock Central High School," gave a first-hand account of her experience as the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine to integrate her segregated high school in 1957.


Shondra Rhodes (left) and Catera Thompson

Glenbard East student Catera Thompson and her mother, Shondra Rhodes:
Catera Thompson said, "It was an honor to listen to Carlotta Walls LaNier's presentation tonight.  What I will take away from her talk is the courage to never give up.  She never gave up when it would have been so much easier to just go home and go back to her old school.  Her ability to go back to high school - day to day and with pride - was awe-inspiring. This was a school that didn't want her and where people wanted her dead.  All she wanted was to get a better education, no matter what. Her integrity and courage are faith strengthening."

Shondra Rhodes said, "As a parent, it was wonderful to hear how Carlotta Walls Lanier's parents fortified her for life. I, too, want to prepare my children to do their best and work hard for their dreams. This was very encouraging and very inspiring."


Charhonda McGavock (left) and
Kiante McGavock
Kiante McGavock, Glenbard East Sophomore and mother Charhonda McGavock:
The Carlotta Walls Lanier event I attended tonight truly was a once in a lifetime experience! Not only did I get the chance to learn more about black history but she also helped to encourage me to become a better and more educated person not only in a classroom but life in general. This truly touched my heart to know that if someone as young as only 14 years old can be able to stand up for her rights, then nobody should be afraid to truly express their feelings and beliefs when it comes to standing up for what is right. She also helped me to realize that neither family or friends can take away your education and all young adults today should use all of that learning to their advantage. This event really showed me how I can take a second look at myself and change my motives not just for myself but for others around me so that I can set a good example for them also. ~ Kiante McGavock


The presentation that I attended tonight was an eye opener, it taught me a lot more about my history as an African American woman. Carlotta Walls LaNier was a phenomenal speaker. Sometimes you hear the same that if it didn't come from the horses mouth then you cannot expect it to be true. Well I can definitely say that Carlotta is that horse because she spoke so well of her incident at Little Rock Central High School.   I would like to thank her as well as the Glenbard East staff for allowing her to actually give this presentation about history. She brought a lot of knowledge not only to students, but to parents of those students as well.  As a Glenbard East parent, I would actually like to be able to see her again as well as many other presenters regarding our African American history. ~ Charhonda McGavock.



Aisha Fitzgerald and Gerald Triplett



Hannah Ivy (Glenbard North) and sibling
"Try harder and don't give up."
Jamia Miller GE Junior and
mother, Shondra Rhodes Williams...
"It was the best experience!"



Catera Thompson GE Junior and
mother, Kimberly Lewis:
"It was very 
encouraging."

Thursday, August 20, 2015

GPS Speaker John Underwood Shares Insights Re: Athletes Maintaining Healthy Lifestyle


Glenbard coaches, athletes and their parents welcomed GPS Speaker John Underwood and his important message for both athletes and non-athletes.  John Underwood,  a nationally respected speaker, shared his "Life of an Athlete" program to help  athletes reach their full potential. The program provided information on achieving peak performance through nutrition, sleep and avoiding drugs and alcohol. 

Underwood referred to "Life of an Athlete" Manuals at his presentation, these references and his website can be found here:


Glenbard South parent Kim Woods 
with John Underwood
At  parent and student athlete meetings/Glenbard Parent Series program on August 18, at Glenbard South and Glenbard East, international sports consultant John Underwood shared the science behind living a healthy lifestyle, including avoiding alcohol and drugs.

Glenbard South parent Kim Woods found the presentation to be very informative. "I was especially surprised to learn how detrimental marijuana is to a teen's developing brain - affecting long-term memory, reaction time and general health. The information on blue light/ technology use before bedtime delaying the ability to fall asleep was also very interesting."

Chad Hetlet, Glenbard West
Head Football Coach

The parent and student athlete meetings continued on August 19 at Glenbard North and Glenbard West. Chad Hetlet, Glenbard West Head Football Coach found great information shared at Underwood's "Life of an Athlete" morning workshop for coaches.  "What struck me was not only the importance of sleep, but the need for the body to repair itself during sleep. It was also very useful to hear that the optimal time of day to train is between 7-11 am and that the body will be able to reach its peak performance 35-50 minutes into that practice."


Coach Hetlet also stated "Another take-away for me, was that a few hours a careless partying, can wash away weeks of athletic training."


Friday, August 14, 2015

"Pressures of Perfection"
New York Times article quotes GPS speakers


Here is another important, and difficult read on the pressure of perfectionism and campus suicide.  Inside, find quotes from Frank Bruni, author of "Where You Go, Is Not Who You'll Be", one of our favorites from last year . You will also find quotes from Julie Lythcoth-Haims "How to Raise an Adult :Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success"-  sure to become one of our favorite GPS speakers this school year. Join us on Thursday, Oct 8  at noon at Glenbard South.


Monday, August 10, 2015

John Underwood "Life of an Athlete- Pure Performance to Maximize Your Potential"



The Glenbard Parent Series is partnering with the DuPage County Health Dept/Prevention Leadership Team to bring John Underwood "Life of an Athlete- Pure Performance to Maximize Your Potential" to the Glenbard Schools on August 18 and 19.

John Underwood,  a nationally respected speaker, will share his "Life of an Athlete" program to help  athletes reach their full potential. The program will provide information on achieving peak performance through nutrition, sleep and avoiding drugs and alcohol. As a trainer of Olympic athletes and Navy Seals, John Underwood has the expertise and knowledge to help teens reach their goals during their competitive years. John is an internationally recognized human performance expert, specializing in recovery, peaking training and lifestyle impact on mental and physical performance. John will present information on how alcohol and other substances affect the body and brain of adolescents and how adults can have an important impact on the lifestyle choices young people make. Underwood is a dynamic speaker who has traveled the country with this presentation, including working with coaches, parents and teen athletes.

Four Parent and Athlete Sports Orientation meetings are open to all.  Attendance is mandatory for Glenbard student athletes and their parents. No registration is required.

      Tuesday, Aug. 18
6:00 pm – Glenbard East Auditorium, 1014 S. Main St., Lombard IL  45 minutes
7:30 pm – Glenbard South Auditorium, 23W200 Butterfield Rd., Glen Ellyn IL  30 minute

Wednesday, Aug 19
6:00 pm- Glenbard North Auditorium, 990 Kuhn Rd., Carol Stream IL  30 minutes
7:00 pm – Glenbard West Auditorium, 670 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn IL  30 minutes


John Underwood will address Glenbard coaches during the day on Aug 19. The two hour training beginning at 9am or noon at the Marquardt Administration Center in Glendale Heights is open to all area coaches and requires registration.

For more information contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard Student and Community Projects Coordinator at (630) 942-7668 or by email at gilda_ross@glenbard.org

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Glenbard Parent Series Summer Reading List

Our students have their summer reading and so should we as parents. Here are some titles to check out at area libraries and bookstores, and then please join us and meet the authors as part of the Glenbard Parent Series line up for the 2015-16 school year.





*First up is Carlotta Walls LaNier/"A Mighty Long Walk:My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School" (Aug 27 at 7pm).






*September brings Dr Kelly McGonigal/"The Upside of Stress:Why its Good for You and How to Get Good At It" and "The Willpower Instinct::How Self -Control Works, Why it Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It" ".







*A just added event is Julie Lythcott-Halms/"How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success"(Oct 8 at noon).







*Returning to GPS is Dr Ken Ginsburg/ "Raising Kids to Thrive"and "Building Resilience in Children and Teens:Giving Kids Roots and Wings"(Nov 17 at 7pm).





*Here is a must read, Dr Laurence Steinberg/"Age of Opportunity: The New Science of Adolescence" (Jan  26 at 7pm).







Josh Shipp/"The Guide to World Domination" and "Jump Shipp: Turn Your  Passion into Your Profession" (Feb 18 at 7pm) will appeal to both students and parents.








*Students, school staff and parents will enjoy Jonathan Mooney/ "Learning Outside the Lines" and "the Yellow School Bus"(March 3 at 7pm).   





*A invaluable guide to the college process, Christine VanDeVelde/'College Admission: From Application to Acceptance Step by Step" (May 5 at 7pm).






More information and event location can be found at the GPS website here.
Find the GPS facebook here.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

The DuPage County Health Dept wants all parents of teens to know why and how to dispose of over the counter medications




Thursday, May 21, 2015

Advice from Dr. Lourdes Ferrer on College Success


Dr. Lourdes is an education consultant, researcher, program developer, motivational speaker and author, assists school districts to improve the academic achievement of all students. Her specialty is closing the achievement gaps between students from diverse backgrounds through student engagement, staff development and parental empowerment.



Monday, May 18, 2015

Sneak Peak at GPS 2015-2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS


Fall Sports Orientation: Parent and Athlete Meetings
John Underwood
“Life of an Athlete/Pure Performance to Maximize Your Potential”
Tuesday, Aug. 18
6:00 pm - Glenbard East Auditorium
7:30 pm - Glenbard South Auditorium
Wednesday, Aug. 19
6:00 pm- Glenbard North Auditorium
7:00 pm - Glenbard West Auditorium
 Thursday, Aug. 27
Family Read
Carlotta Walls LaNier
“A Mighty Long Walk – My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School”
7:00 pm Glenbard East Auditorium


Dr. Kelly McGonigal
“The Upside of Stress: Why It’s Good for You and How to Get Better At It”
Embracing stress to be stronger, smarter, and healthier
Tuesday, Sept. 15
7:00 pm - Glenbard West Auditorium


Dr. Kelly McGonigal
“The Willpower Instinct: Life-Changing Advice for Goal-Setting, Patient Parenting, and Greater Productivity”
Wednesday, Sept. 16
11:00 Community outreach/luncheon
12:00pm – 2:30 pm District #15 Marquardt Administration Center


Dr. Randy Sprick
“Positive Parenting: Mastering Motivation, Attitude and Responsibility"
Practical strategies to impart independence, problem solving and self-control.
Monday, Oct. 12
6:30pm Please join us for a pre-meeting Columbus Day Holiday dinner
7:00pm Glenbard South Auditorium


Dr. Alec Couros (D#87 Institute Day speaker)
“Raising the Selfie Generation”
The opportunities and implications of growing up in today’s digital world
Tuesday, Oct. 13
7:00pm - Glenbard North Auditorium


John Dominguez PhD
A Paradigm Shift: How Parents Can Help Their Kids Create an Environment Where Bullying is Obsolete
Thursday, Oct 22
12:00PM-2:30PM CCSD District 93 Administration Center


Ken Ginsburg, MD
"The Skills to Succeed"
Mastering the tools to thrive in a high-pressure culture -now and in the future
Wednesday, Nov. 18
6:15pm Wellness Expo Foyer College of DuPage McAninch Arts Center
7:00pm College of DuPage McAninch Arts Center
    --and  
"Fostering Resilience and Coping Skills to Meet the Challenges of Today's Teens"
11:00 Community outreach/luncheon
Thursday, Nov. 19
12pm-2:30pm District #15 Marquardt Administration Center


Dr. Marc Brackett
“Raising A Happier, Healthier-More Competent and Compassionate Teen"
The practice of emotional intelligence to reduce stress, gain inner strength and interpersonal success
Wednesday, December 2
7:00pm – Glenbard South Auditorium


Dr Brenda Gorman
"Instructional Strategies and Literacy Development in Dual Language Learners"
Wednesday, Jan 20
12:00pm-2:30pm Glenbard South Auditorium


Dr. Laurence Steinberg
“Age of Opportunity: The New Science of Adolescence”
Myth-shattering, research-based information on the capacity of the teenage brain
Tuesday January 26, 2016
7:00pm College of DuPage McAninch Arts Center
  ---and 
The Essential Guide to Adolescence ages 10-25: Teen Behavior Explained
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
12:00PM-2:30PM CCSD District 93 Administration Center


Dr Scott Bellini
Building Social Relationships: A Systematic Approach to Teaching Social Interaction Skills to Children and Adolescents
with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Social Difficulties
Thursday, February 4
12:00pm-2:30 pm District #15 Marquardt Administration Center


Josh Shipp
Connect with, Understand, and Guide Your Teen to Awesomeness
Live Life Well Speaker
Thursday, Feb. 18
7:00pm – Glenbard North Auditorium


Jonathan Mooney
“Learning Outside the Lines: The Tools for Academic Success”
Empowering students to celebrate their learning differences
Thursday, March 3
7:00pm- Glenbard West Auditorium


Dr Patrick McGrath
Don't Try Harder, Try Different: Managing Anxiety and Stress
Wednesday, March 16
12:00pm-2:30 pm-CCSD District 93 Administration Center


Film Screening "The Mask You Live In"
Is Masculinity Harming our Boys, Men and Society at Large
Followed by discussion with Dr. Pedro Noguera
Wednesday, April 27
7:00pm Glenbard East Auditorium


Christine VanDeVelde
"Calming the Nerves: Everything You Need to Know About the College Admission Process"
Step by step guidance, from application to acceptance
Thursday,  May 5
7:00pm Glenbard South Auditorium

Monday, May 11, 2015

Parents inspired by two Dr. Silverman presentations on May 7 


Parent shares takeaway from morning presentation on "Helping Girls Thrive"

During a Glenbard Parent Series program the afternoon of May 7, Robyn Silverman presented Helping Girls Thrive: Developing Their Confidence, Goals and Leadership.

Mary Ellen Young, director of Helping Girls Navigate Adolescence, shared this takeaway:

Mary Ellen and Nora Young with Robyn Silverman
"Dr. Robyn Silverman is an amazing speaker. She reminded me as a mother to watch my own words and actions. I loved the suggestion to create a "fat talk free zone" in my home, and I will share that desire with others who are guests in my home. I will stretch the definition of beautiful. I will help my child discover their strengths and I will point to examples of those strengths. I will show my daughters whatever their size to trust their power to accomplish great things. I will be available as a mentor, not when it's convenient, but when she needs me. And if I'm not the best mentor I will find someone who is."


Parent appreciate strategies shared from evening's Helping Teens Thrive

North parent Micki Dobrowski shared the following takeaway from the evening of May 7 Glenbard Parent Series program with Robyn Silverman, Thriving Under Pressure: How to Help Youth Set Goals, Discover Their Strengths, and the Strategies for Motivation, and Good Health:
Robyn Silverman (left) and Micki Dobrowski

"This was a great GPS.  Dr. Silverman provided me with many techniques I will be able to put to use immediately. I especially liked the tools to empowerment: strength recognition, strength finding, vision, challenging and championing/character connecting.

The other piece that I will take away from tonight's presentation is "I am ... Name it, Claim it and Control it." 

I learned it's OK to go back and admit past mistakes. These will be some of the strategies that I will use to move forward for my daughter and myself.  This talk has allowed me to see "around the corner" and I now feel I have the tools to empower my daughter to set goals and discover her strengths."