Parent Education - Parents - McDonogh School

Parent Education

Each year, the school and the McDonogh Parents Association (MPA) host a variety of parenting education events. Information about events and speakers is also shared in the bi-weekly electronic newsletter, Parent News

PAST PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Unlocking the Secrets to Better Sleep for Tweens and Teens with Dr. Lisa Damour

On October 17, 2024, NY Times bestselling author Dr. Lisa Damour joined us for a discussion about healthy sleep strategies. She shared why "sleep is the glue that holds human beings together," discussed practical tips for ensuring our kids get enough sleep, explored common culprits for teens getting inadequate rest, and more. 

View the program. 

Author Heather McGhee Discusses The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together

On October 10, 2024, NY Times Bestselling Author Heather McGhee joined us for a discussion about her book, "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together." 

View the program.

Lunch and Learn with E&I Director Enaye Englenton

On September 30, 2024, E&I Director Enaye Englenton shared how diversity, equity, and inclusion are integrated into McDonogh's core principles and strategic goals.

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers with Dr. Lisa Damour

On April 11, 2024, Dr. Lisa Damour, author of three New York Times bestsellers, joined parents for a "Lunch and Learn" webinar. She discussed her book, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, a guide to help parents understand their teenagers’ intense and often fraught emotional lives—and how to support them through this critical developmental stage.

Listen to the discussion here

Combatting the Toxic Achievement Culture with Jennifer Wallace

On February 7, 2024, author and award-winning reporter Jennifer Wallace joined parents for a "Lunch and Learn" webinar to discuss her book, Never Enough. Drawing on interviews with families, educators, and an original survey of over 6,000 parents, Wallace’s book exposes how the pressure to perform is not a matter of parental choice but baked into our larger society and spurred by increasing income inequality and dwindling opportunities. 

Listen to the discussion here

Book Club: The Assignment

On January 23, 2024, parents gathered in the Mullan Board Room for dinner and a discussion about The Assignment by Liza Wiemer. On December 12, 2023, Wiemer engaged with parents, faculty, and staff during a Lunch and Learn session. Read about her visit. 

Let's Talk About Drugs: Annual All-Division Webinar

On January 17, 2024, The MPA hosted a panel discussion on the current trends impacting our children, including the legalization of marijuana and the fentanyl crisis. Panelists talked about the potential risks and offered practical tips on how to have open and honest conversations with children. 

Panelists included Nancy Love, Director of Wellness at McDonogh; Scott Shellenberger, Baltimore County State's AttorneyGreg Hobelmann, M.D., M.P.H., Co-CEO of Ashley Treatment CenterIfeoluwa Omitowoju, MD; and Leah SeraPharmD, MA, BCPS.

View the program.

Author Liza Wiemer Discusses The Assignment

On December 12, 2023, the McDonogh Parents Association, in collaboration with the Office of Equity and Inclusion, teamed up with the Jewish Library of Baltimore to invite Liza Wiemer, author of The Assignment, to campus. Wiemer engaged with more than forty parents, faculty, and staff during a Lunch and Learn session, discussing her journey in writing The Assignment and advocating for the importance of being proactive against injustice. Read more about her visit. 

Empowering Students to do The Greatest Good in the World

On April 18, 2023, Director of Greatest Good McDonogh Bridget Collins provided an overview of the integrated coursework and experiential learning that is inspiring empathy and philanthropic engagement in our students.

How to Raise Successful Kids Without Over Parenting

On March 2, 2023, the MPA hosted an informative and engaging evening with New York Times bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haims. Drawing on her experience as a mother, the former dean of freshmen at Stanford University, and research with educators and admissions officers, Julie led a thought-provoking talk and offered practical strategies underlining the importance of allowing children to make their own mistakes and develop the resilience, resourcefulness, and inner determination necessary to become healthy, thriving adults. 

MPA Calendar