Registation Open for 15th Annual Parent University - Opportunity for Parents & Educators to Connect, Learn, Share & Support each other on Key Parenting Issues

Parent Community Network (PCN), a network of area parents and community members, announces Diane Leamy, PhD, LCSW, as their keynote speaker for the 15th annual Parent University to be held Saturday  February 4, 2012 at Lyons Township High School, South Campus (4900 S. Willow Springs Rd., Western Springs,  IL).  

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 again filled with inspiring speakers discussing current issues facing today’s parents and youth from pre-school through high school.

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

Diane’s keynote session is titled, “Taming the Worry Monster: Anxiety to Calm”.

Anxiety is both the most prevalent and treatable emotional challenge children and teens face. Learn what causes anxiety, how it appears at various ages, and how effective you, as a parent can be in helping your child or teen cope. Learn clear guidelines for reducing anxiety in general and teaching your anxious child to cope. Leave feeling calmer and more able to cope yourself.

Diane is a licensed clinical social worker with PhD in clinical social work.  She also holds a Masters degree in Public Health as well as a Masters degree in social work. She has been in private practice since 2002 after working as a school social worker in middle and elementary schools for ten years. She had been an adjunct faculty member at the Institute for Clinical Social Work in Chicago
and has spoken at several past Parent Universities.

Attendees can choose from over 20 interactive
breakout sessions :

SESSION 1  (9:30 - 10:35 am)  

Cyberspace Teens - Sarah Migas, MSW                                       

Bringing Out Their Best - Maureen O'Hara, MA                         

Food For Thought: How to Choose Food to Properly Fuel
your Brain and Body - Janet Triner             

Reducing Student Anxiety: What Schools Are Doing and How
Parents Can Help - Lynn Surin Lawrence, MA, Education                        

Top Ten Positive Parenting Strategies for Preschoolers - Dana
J. Burke, M.S.Ed., and Jennifer G. Schuler, LCSW 

Creating Healthy Relationships with Kids: How to
Discipline with Love -  Margie Salyer, LCPC                                                                   

The Teen Girl’s Brain - Susan Wilkie, Ph.D., LMFT                    

SESSION 2   (11:10
am - 12:15 pm)

Maybe It Isn't Laziness: Signs and Symptoms of a Behavior Problem - Keith A. Baird, Ph.D.                                                         

Holding The Line Without Losing Your Cool  - Maureen O'Hara MA

Positive Peer Relationships in Middle School and Beyond -
 Karen Williamson, Ph.D.                                                              

Tears, Tantrums and Battles:  Preventing Power Struggles -  Karen Jacobson, MA, LMFT, LCPC and Lauren
Bondy, MSW, Certified LifeLine Practitioner       

A Parent's Guide to Teens, Sex, and Dating – Tori
Libby     

Study Skills for School Success  - Amy Johnson,
M.Ed.    

Managing College Costs: Finding the Right Financial
Fit/Cultivating Financial Success - 
Frank Palmasani     

SESSION 3   (12:25
- 1:30 pm)

Self-esteem: The Myths and the Truths - Michael Maniacci,
Psy.D.

The Risky World of Today's Teens: What Parents Should
Know -   Cathy Kokontis,
MSW,CADC  

                                               Careers and Kids: Keeping Your Cool - Karen Jacobson, MA,
LMFT, LCPC and Lauren Bondy, MSW, Certified LifeLine Practitioner   

Crippling Kids with Happiness -  Char Slezak,
Psy.D., and Michael Bradburn, D.Min., LCSW  

Raising Boys - Karen Williamson, Ph.D.  

 Available Parent: What Works and Does Not Work, in
Parenting Teens and Tweens - John Duffy, Psy.D.               

Registration forms can be downloaded from PCN’s NEW website  www.parentcommunitynetwork.com). 

This new site is the source for additional information on Parent University as well as articles, book recommendations and a discussion forum.  Visitors to the site can subscribe and receive periodic updates directly to their email account.

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 or to PCN’s raffle, 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.