Menlo Park City School District Parent Education
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ALL 2020-2021 EVENTS WILL BE HELD ON ZOOM.
ZOOM WEBINAR DETAILS ARE LISTED ​WITH EACH EVENT.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

2020-2021 Event Schedule
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​Talking to Your Kids about Race and Racism
A conversation with author & former Stanford Dean Julie Lythcott-Haims and MPCSD Superintendent Erik Burmeister about engaging with your kids on these important topics
​Race and racism are such important topics. Black and brown parents have to have these conversations earlier than others. But all of us can struggle with what to say to our kids about race or how to say it.  MPCSD Superintendent Erik Burmeister sits down with activist, writer, and former Stanford Dean of Freshmen Julie Lythcott-Haims to discuss how to engage in meaningful discussions with our children about race, racism and the BLM movement.  
VIA ZOOM: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 @ 6:30 pm
​CLICK HERE to watch the video of the presentation​
Click on this Kepler's link to purchase Julie's books and other books about race & racism.
Visit Julie's website to see other resources recommended by Julie.

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Permission to Feel:  A Conversation with Dr. Marc Brackett
A discussion between Dr. Marc Brackett and MPCSD Superintendent Erik Burmeister on emotional regulation, emotional intelligence, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in MPCSD schools
Marc Brackett, Ph.D., is the Founder and Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a Professor in the Child Study Center of Yale University. He is the lead developer of RULER, an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning that has been adopted by nearly 2,000 pre-K through high schools across the United States and in other countries. Listen to Dr. Brackett and Superintendent Burmeister as they discuss the importance of SEL learning in schools, and learn about how MPCSD schools are using Dr. Brackett’s framework.
VIA ZOOM: Tuesday, October 6, 2020 @ 6:30 pm
CLICK HERE to watch the video of the presentation
Interested in buying Permission to Feel?  ​Click on this Kepler's link to read about and purchase the book.

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Mental Health & Learning: Living in Uncertain Times
A webinar and live Q&A with Children's Health Council (CHC) experts to discuss what you can do to support your children
We know that stress and anxiety impact learning. With the complications of the pandemic and sheltering in place, we are seeing more and more students feeling overwhelmed with distance learning, not being free to see their friends, and feeling trapped at home. All of this makes the conversation about mental health and learning even more important. Attend this webinar with live Q&A with experts from Children’s Health Council (CHC) for a discussion about how students are impacted during this unusual time and what you can do to support your children so that they feel safe and supported. CHC has been part of our community for almost 70 years and offers best-in-class learning and mental health services for children, teens, and young adults.
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VIA ZOOM: Tuesday, November 17, 2020 @ 6:30 pm
CLICK HERE to watch the video of the presentation

Race, Prejudice & Policy: A Three Part Conversation on Segregation and its Legacy on Education Around Menlo Park
A series of insightful and educational conversations with community members and organizations.
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All events in this series will be held on Zoom.  
January 6, 2021 @ 6:30 pm: The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America…and Menlo Park.  Join us in conversation with local groups Menlo Together and Community Equity Collaborative to discuss how the policies and practices that segregated America affected Menlo Park.  We’ll dive into information presented in Richard Rothstein’s book The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America and take a deeper look at our region from a historical and governmental perspective. We will learn, reflect, and discuss how to move toward an equitable future in Menlo Park & beyond.
CLICK HERE to register in advance for this webinar.
JUST ADDED - a second opportunity to attend "The Color of Law"
January 15, 2021 @ 4:30 pm: The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America…and Menlo Park.
  Join us in conversation with local groups Menlo Together and Community Equity Collaborative to discuss how the policies and practices that segregated America affected Menlo Park.  We’ll dive into information presented in Richard Rothstein’s book The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America and take a deeper look at our region from a historical and governmental perspective. We will learn, reflect, and discuss how to move toward an equitable future in Menlo Park & beyond.
CLICK HERE to register in advance for this webinar.
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​January 13, 2021 @ 6:30 pm: An Equity Walk Through MPCSD with Dr. Mary Montle Bacon of Images of Culture. How a district responds to and supports students of all backgrounds is foundational to how we succeed as a whole. Dr. Bacon has decades of experience working with youth, parents, and educators across the country. She will lead us through what the MPCSD experience may look like from the perspective of different families, and how we can work to make sure that all talents, cultures, languages, and achievements are valued and elevated at our schools.
CLICK HERE to register in advance for this webinar.

January 19, 2021 @ 6:30 pm:  The Future of Educational Equity in the South Peninsula: How'd We Get Here and Where Are We Going? with Superintendents Erik Burmeister & Gina Sudaria & MAHS Principal Simone Rick-Kennel. This special event, co-sponsored by multiple community organizations, features a frank and inspiring conversation among several panelists including Superintendents Gina Sudaria and Erik Burmeister of Ravenswood and Menlo Park City School Districts, Menlo Atherton High School Principal Simone Rick-Kennel, and community and elected leaders from East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. What are the historical influences that continue to impact our local school districts and how might our community organize to address the challenges and opportunities of our future?
CLICK HERE to register in advance for this webinar.
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Being an Askable Adult:  The Why, What, When and How of Talking with your Child about Sexual Health
A presentation by Vanessa Kellam, Parent Engagement Coordinator, Health Connected
A parent-only interactive workshop will be facilitated by Health Connected, the leading provider of puberty and education in San Mateo County schools.  The session will provide tips and strategies for you, as a parent, to create an environment of comfort and trust with your child to discuss puberty and their emerging sexuality. This workshop is designed for adults who have teens and pre-teens.
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Tuesday, February 23, 2021 @ 6:30pm
CLICK HERE to register for this event.

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Are you using technology or is technology using you?
Watch the documentary "LIKE" (on your own) followed by a presentation and Q&A with Dr. Naama Barnea-Goraly, child and adolescent psychiatrist and former Stanford brain researcher
On your own, watch the documentary "LIKE" about social media overuse and addiction, and then join us on March 15 for a presentation and Q&A session with Dr. Naama Barnea-Goraly, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and former Stanford brain researcher as well as the founder of “Girltelligence” - a girl empowerment app where GenZ girls and young women form a community, support, advise, and inspire each other. We are excited to invite Dr. Barnea-Goraly back to the MPCSD Speaker Series. She will help decipher the information presented in "LIKE" as well as answer the audience’s pressing questions about social media addiction. Dr. Barnea-Goraly will draw upon the latest evidence-based research to advise parents how to help our children use social media in healthy ways.
Monday, March 15, 2021 @ 6:30 pm
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CLICK HERE to register for this event. You will receive details on how to watch the movie "LIKE" at the email address you registered with. The movie will be available to watch starting March 11.

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"The Story of Plastic:" Movie & Panel Discussion
Watch the documentary "The Story of Plastic" (on your own) followed by a panel discussion with local environmental experts
In honor of Earth Day 2021, we're focusing this month's event on the environment. Watch the documentary "The Story of Plastic" on your own, and then join us on April 6 to hear from MPCSD faculty and parent volunteers as well as local environmental experts about how plastics affect the Bay Area and learn what we can do to reduce our use and help the environment.
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 @ 6:30 pm
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CLICK HERE to register for this event.


2019-2020 Event Schedule
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Limitless Mind:  Learn, Lead, and Live without Barriers
A presentation by Jo Boaler, Professor of Mathematics Education, Stanford
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Stanford Professor Jo Boaler shares the latest research from her new book about mindset, and how we - kids and adults alike - can learn anything new at any time in our lives. Come be inspired by the power of your mind.
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Wednesday, September 4, 2019 @ 6:30 pm


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"Eighth Grade: The Movie" (rated R)
Movie screening plus a moderated discussion with MPCSD middle school experts
Due to mature content, please read about the film at commonsensemedia.org and opt-in at the event to view the movie with or without your teen.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019 @ 6:30 pm


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Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About the Brain
A presentation by David Eagleman, Stanford neuroscientist, author, television personality, and Oak Knoll parent
Learn how we make decisions, how the brain matures through time, what it means to grow up in a digital world, and how the brain thinks about ingroups, outgroups, and empathy. David's areas of research include sensory substitution, time perception, vision, and synesthesia. He is the writer and presenter of The Brain, an Emmy-nominated television series on PBS and BBC.  
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 @ 6:30 pm


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Restorative Parenting: Introducing Restorative Practices used at school for home
A presentation by Karen Junker, a certified trainer by the International Institute for Restorative Practices
Restorative Practices are ways of speaking, listening, and asking questions to build healthy relationships and de-escalate conflict. Karen Junker’s philosophy of culture and climate is that every community member be valued and respected. She has broad expertise using restorative practices to build community, collaborating with schools and districts including MPCSD to promote healthy environments for all students. She works with administrators, teachers, and students to implement school-wide restorative practices including conflict resolution, suspension diversion, Peer Court/Council, and community building circles. Learn how to use Restorative Practices philosophies and methods at home with your children - the same Restorative Practices that are used within MPCSD - to maintain healthy, conflict-free relationships or work towards creating the balanced, positive relationship you desire with your children.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 @ 6:30 pm


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Parenting Landmines: Peer Pressure, Vaping, Concussions, Sleep, Stress, and More
An ask-the-expert forum to get answers on everything you've always wanted to know about these topics
A panel of experts will take your questions on various topics and engage in helpful, productive discussion with the audience.  Panelists include:
  • Dr. David Anderson (Senior Director of National Programs and Outreach, Child Mind Institute)
  • Dr. Naama Barnea-Goraly (child and adolescent psychiatrist, former Stanford brain researcher, founder of “Telle”)
  • Dr. Karli Cleary (Pediatrician, Menlo Medical Clinic, Stanford Children's Health)
  • Dr. Jamshid Ghajar (Director of the Stanford Brain Performance Center, Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine)
  • Dr. Devin Prouty (Senior Research Psychologist, SRI International)
  • Dr. Erin Vogel (Social Psychologist & Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University)
​Wednesday, February 5, 2020 @ 6:30pm


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Let's Talk about Sex...and Puberty
A presentation by Vanessa Kellam, Parent Engagement Coordinator, Health Connected
A parent-only interactive workshop will be facilitated by Health Connected, the leading provider of puberty and education in San Mateo County schools.  The session will provide tips and strategies for you, as a parent, to create an environment of comfort and trust with your child to discuss puberty and their emerging sexuality. This workshop is designed for adults who have teens and pre-teens.
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Wednesday, February 26, 2020 @ 6:30pm


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Small Animals: Parenting in the Age of Fear
A presentation by Kim Brooks, author, writer, public speaker
Named an NPR Best Book of the Year 2018, Small Animals is Kim Brooks' personal story.  She will discuss her experiences and her book, which Goodreads calls  "a provocative, compelling portrait of parenthood in America and calls us to examine what we most value in our relationships with our children and one another." Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Chicago Magazine, Salon, Buzzfeed, and other publications. She has spoken as a guest on CBS This Morning, PBS Newshour, 20/20, NPR’s All Things Considered, Good Morning America, the Brian Lehr Show, and many other radio shows and podcasts.
Wednesday, March 4, 2020 @ 6:30 pm


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POSTPONED
Are you using technology or is technology using you?

Watch the documentary "LIKE" followed by Q&A with Dr. Naama Barnea-Goraly, child and adolescent psychiatrist and former Stanford brain researcher
A screening of the documentary "LIKE" about social media overuse and addiction followed by an expert Q&A with Dr. Naama Barnea-Goraly, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and former Stanford brain researcher as well as the founder of “Telle” - a girl empowerment app where girls support, advise, and inspire each other. We are excited to invite Dr. Barnea-Goraly back to the MPCSD Speaker Series. She will help decipher the information presented in "LIKE" as well as answer the audience’s pressing questions about social media addiction. Dr. Barnea-Goraly will draw upon the latest evidence-based research to advise parents how to help our children use social media in healthy ways.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020 @ 6:30 pm



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