14th Annual Parent University - Connect, Learn, Share, Support - Register Now

Parent Community Network (PCN), a network of area parents and community members, announces Maureen O'Hara as their keynote speaker for the 14th annual Parent University to be held Saturday February 5, 2011 at Lyons Township High School, South Campus (4900 S. Willow Springs Rd., Western Springs, IL).  

Her session is titled, "Parenting: the Great Balancing Act - When to step in and When to let go".

Maureen has been a highly rated speaker at prior Parent Universities. She holds a MA in Counseling and Human Services and has worked in student assistance programs at a local high school for over 14 years and has been employed by Cook County Sheriff's Department as a family counselor and prevention specialist.

Parent University, an informative educational half day event, held annually since 1998, is not to be missed for parents and educators. It typically draws between 175-250 attendees. The agenda is always filled with inspiring speakers discussing current issues facing today's parents and youth from pre-school through high school.

Parents and educators attend the key note session and then can choose up to 3 additional sessions to attend. There are also tables set up in the snack room which attendees can visit community resource groups as well as network together.

Interactive Breakout sessions include:

• Bringing Out Their Best presented by Maureen O'Hara
• Raising Boys presented by Karen Williamson
• Peer Pressure / Positive Peer Relationships by Karen Williamson
• Anxiety in Children and Teens presented by Diane Leamy
• Teaching Your Kids About Money presented by Stephen Pleimling
• Parenting from Mars and Venus presented by Michael Maniacci
• Parenting for College Readiness presented by Lianne Musser
• Healthy Teen Relationships -Safe Dates presented by Liz Witman
• The Risky World of Today's Teens  presented by Cathy Kokontis
• Understanding Sibling Behavior presented by Karen Jacobsen & Lauren Bondy              
• Grounded & Connected Families presented by Karen Jacobsen & Lauren Bondy
• Creating Healthy Relationships with Kids -How to Discipline with Love presented by Margie Sayler
• Electronics & Setting Limits presented by Alefiyah Lindo
• Parenting for Prevention presented by Alefiyah Lindo
• Improving Children's Self Esteem While Holding Them Accountable presented by Sue Paige
• Study Skills for School Success presented by Amy Johnson
• How to be a successful Single Parent presented by Suzy Marta
• Nutrition & Health & Learning presented by Deepa Deshmukh, Dupage Dieticians
• Child's Play: What Children Learn From Play presented by Lorenza DiNatale
• Magnificent Morning to Blessed Bedtime presented by Lorenza DiNatale


Parent University is held from 8:15 am – 1:30 pm. The cost is $15 (pre register by 1/26/11) or $25 at the door.  This includes continental breakfast, all sessions & light snacks.  Child care (age 3-10) is available for $7 (must pre-register).

Registration is now open.  Download the brochure and registration form at: http://www.lths.net/InfoFor/Parents/PCN/Parent_University.html

For updated information on Parent University, visit http://www.lths.net/InfoFor/Parents/PCN/ or visit Parent Community Network's Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Parent-Community-Network/114885431855487.

Volunteers are needed before as well as on the day of Parent University.  If you can help, or want to offer a suggestion or merely want to be added to our mailing list, send an email to: pcn4lt@yahoo.com.

PCN and Parent University rely entirely on donations and volunteers so if you are interested in sponsoring or donating to the event, please contact us as well.

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Parent Community Network (PCN) is a volunteer group made up of parents, educators and community members from the Lyons Township area,

 who share the goal of  ongoing parental education and support for each other to raise healthy, well adjusted, substance abuse-free and violence-free children.

Through Parent University (PU) and other educational programs, newsletters and social media, Parent Community Network's (PCN's) mission

 is to enhance communication, sharing of information and support among parents, schools, and other community groups in promoting

and creating a healthy and safe environment for our youth.

PCN encourages parents to learn, connect and talk with one another and their children, keeping the lines of communication open.