The relationship between children and their parents is always evolving, though perhaps never more than during the high school years. Adolescence can put a strain on even the strongest parent-child relationship. Dr. Lorena Gorey will discuss productive ways in which you can be part of your child’s life. She’ll discuss how to ask questions without interrogating, how to be supportive but not controlling, and how to be an effective cheerleader for your child. This session will provide you with strategies to help you empower and nurture your child.

Speaker: Dr. Lorena Gorey, L.C.P.C.

A panel of District 155 experts including a guidance counselor, school nurse, dean, and social worker will walk parents through important issues faced by students. The panel will cover topics like how to help your student research post-high school options, access health information, and rebound from bad grades along with how parents can work cooperatively with the school to help your child. The panel also will answer parent questions.

When situations get out of hand, it can be difficult to control your own temper or disarm your child’s. This session will offer pointers on how to overcome the frustrations that can escalate to anger issues.

Speaker: Dan Blair

This session will explore ADHD and how it manifests itself in the school environment. You will learn current assessment and treatment models, school strategies, and other tips to help you advocate for your child.

Speaker: Doug Neal

Bullying is a persistent issue existing in and out of school. Here we’ll examine the causes for this behavior in both females and males and what you can do to protect or discourage such behaviors in your child. The speaker will touch on activities and resources at school and in the community that may be helpful to you and your child.

Speaker: Dave Shutters

A District 155 expert will provide guidance and information about the college process specific to the first two years of high school. Learn timelines and valuable information to help your child plan for post-high school educational opportunities.

Speaker: Shawn Ness

A District 155 expert will provide guidance and information about the college process for junior and senior parents. This will include available resources to help parents and students at the school, on the Web, and in the community.

 Speaker: Shawn Ness

Learn to identify and cope with disorders that may impact your teen’s life. The session will deal directly with these two conditions and touch on suicide education and prevention.

Speaker: Todd Lendvay

Naviance is an important online tool offered to parents and students. The resource includes information about career paths, college courses of study, scholarships, and other helpful information about applying to schools. A District 155 expert will walk you through the system.

Speakers: Meghan Kratzke & J.C. Brown

As college costs continue to rise, funding a college education becomes more of a challenge each year. This session will introduce you to the basics of financial aid to inform you of the options that exist for you and your child.

Speaker: Dane Klee

From eating disorders to self-injury, many adolescents turn to unhealthy coping behaviors. Healthy alternatives exist, and we’ll show you how to identify the unhealthy options and introduce new concepts to help your child deal with issues in his or her life.

Speaker: Angela Dampier

An outside expert will give you valuable pointers on how to communicate with your son or daughter about sex and setting healthy boundaries in relationships.

Speaker: Rachel Tack

This question and answer session is geared for current 8th grade, freshmen, or transfer parents. District 155 representatives will answer your questions about what to expect as your child transitions to high school.

Speakers: Missy Berg & Rebecca Saffert

From unsafe new-driver tendencies to legal liability for parties hosted in the home, an expert will provide best-practice strategies and safety precautions to protect you and your student. The session will shed light on teen driving laws and other legal issues that may impact your family on the road and in the home.

Speaker: Mark Szumanski

Learn strategies to effectively manage power struggles and implement Love and Logic techniques for your home.

Speakers: Laura Jacobson & Shannon Levitt

Whether your child is moving from middle school to high school, or transitioning to more advanced high school courses, the rigors and course load can become overwhelming. An expert on organizational skills and studying will help empower parents to help their student succeed in District 155 and beyond.

Speaker: Kurt Wagner

Parenting is hard work. Add in multiple children and it becomes even more complicated. An expert presenter will discuss ways to discourage unhealthy sibling rivalries and encourage fairness and consistency in your parenting. This session was developed to directly address parent questions from previous Parent University attendees.

Speaker: Julie Rehberg

Learn how to identify the warning signs of drug and alcohol use. The speaker will provide examples and talking points for how to communicate with your child about the dangers of abuse. This session also will discuss community resources to help combat drug and alcohol use.

Speaker: Rebecca Jaster

Do you know the warning signs for suicide? What can you do to help prevent this tragedy? An expert will provide guidance to help parents identify at-risk youth and information to help you react in a dire situation.

Speaker: Voni Coombs

As teens become more connected to the Internet and cell phones, new issues continue to emerge. An outside expert will explore safety issues including safe surfing habits, cyber-crimes/stalkers, and "sexting"—using a cell phone to share lewd pictures.

Speaker: Madelyn Burbank

This session will explore the many pressures our teens face today. Learn how to identify signs and symptoms of anxiety, treatment models, and how anxiety can impact your child in a school setting.

Speaker: Kathy Burger

Autism is a complex developmental disability defined by impairments of social communication and interaction, along with restricted and repetitive activities and interests. Autism symptoms may differ from one individual to another. This session will explore the symptoms, school struggles, and therapies associated with autism spectrum disorders. A wealth of information about school and community resources will be provided.

Speaker: Brianne Lukowski

Dr. Tony Ebel returns to discuss how nutrition can affect teen behavior, mood, and attention—all in understandable terms. This year, he’ll focus on the most common causes of ADHD to help parents understand natural options to alleviate symptoms. Nutrition, exercise, and chiropractic care will be discussed.

Spearker: Dr. Tony Ebel

Every other year, students across District 155 and the state take part in the Illinois Youth Survey. This session will give you insight into what teens tell us about their lives. While the other sessions provide you with information about how to handle certain situations, this session will give you the real-time knowledge of what high schoolers encounter each day related to school work, drugs, alcohol, sex, bullying, and even their parents.

Speakers: Allison Cook & Missy Berg