The importance of "Being Still"

This tip was forwarded to us by The Family Institute of Northwestern, with a challenge (not easy at this busy time of year) ..to be still. It reminds me of the times I would ask my son about his day at high school just as he walked in the door or got in my car at the end of his school day.  We figured out that was the worst time to talk.  He needed time to "chill" and process what had happened in his day before he could even consider sharing it with his parents. The tip below also mentions the importance of  modeling the behaviors we wish to instill in our children. Hope this tip is useful to your family.

What, Be Still?

Link to this TFI Tip 

Christine Carter sociologist, happiness expert and former GPS speaker shares a simple meditation practice. Learn more at our GPS event with Kelly McGonigal on Sept. 15, 7pm at Glenbard West and Sept. 16, noon at District 15 Marquardt Administration Center.

Start your own meditation practice

MONDAY, JULY 27, 2015 - 9 COMMENTS » | TAGS: HAPPINESS TIPS

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.

The Terrible Teens

newyorker.com

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

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."

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:

Sleep & Recover Manual 

Power Back Diet
Life of an Athlete website

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."

"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.

Suicide on Campus and the Pressure of Perfection - The New York Times

nytimes.com

Kathryn DeWitt had put on her Penn Face. But living up to expectations — her own and others’ — was just too much. Dying seemed the only way out. It wasn’t.

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

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.

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

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.