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Originally delivered on 10/1/2023 9:03 am

SUBJECT: Parent Edge October Overview

Equipping families with ideas, insight, and community to help them thrive.

Not familiar with Parent Edge? Find more info at miparentedge.org

Fall Spotlight

>> Register here for the webinar <<

Featuring interviews with some Mercer Island families and Superintendent Fred Rundle, award-winning reporter Jennifer Wallace investigates the deep roots of toxic achievement culture, and finds out what we must do to fight back.


Achievement Pressure is a real thing in our community and we want to create a safe space to process what we know is true in the Mercer Island culture.


*Save the Date *
Join the Parent Circle Discussion

Looking for community, connection and support? Let's continue the conversation about Achievement Pressure following the "Never Enough" webinar. 

 November 9th - 12pm
(Location: TBA)

Why Parent Circles? In addition to offering great webinars on a variety of topics, we believe in providing opportunities to connect and grow by with others after the webinar. Parent Edge will host Parent Circle discussion groups a few weeks after featured programs. This time is designed for you to meet other parents, discuss insights from the presentation, and share ideas on how to implement the learning in your everyday parenting.  

October Programs

Welcome to our October line-up! This month we have curated a selection of webinars featuring leading psychologists, educators and thinkers on the topics of Resilience and Neurodiversity. We hope you learn something new that will help you and your family.

* To access events, sign-up and register by clicking the event links in blue!

Building Resilience

We all want our children to grow in this important trait. Learn more about cultivating resilience in your family. 


Neurodiversity

Have a neurodiverse child or family? Meet others and learn more about growing in advocacy, awareness and skillful knowledge of raising a neurodiverse child.

* Miss a live event? Tune into the Video Library, a free resource with recordings of 250+ Parent Ed events. Click here.

2023-24 Program Themes


Technology and Digital Lives

Achievement Pressure

Social and Emotional Skill Building

This year we've curated a line-up of well-known authors, speakers and parenting experts focusing on topics of highest interest to MI families.

What does that mean for you? These events will be accessible in a few ways:

  • Live webinar
  • Recorded programs (over 25 programs this year) and a large library of past programs
  • Spotlighted Parent Edge programming
  • In-Person, follow up group conversations


New to the district? Wondering what Parent Edge is all about? Check out more info here.

Upcoming Events
Tuesday, October 3
5:30p Changing Perspectives: Understanding Inclusion, Ableism, and Neurodiversity
Wednesday, October 4
5:30p Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids' Sports
Thursday, October 5
5:30p Youth Mental Health: Building Hope and Resilience in Uncertain Times
Tuesday, October 10
1:00p Atypical Approaches: Unlock the Brilliance of Your Differently-Wired Kid
Wednesday, October 18
5:30p *Spotlight* Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—And What We Can Do About It
Tuesday, October 24
1:00p The Power of Relationships: Nurturing Compassion and Resilience in Children
Parenting Tip

We all love the feeling of receiving a life-giving word! We light up and feel good inside. Our kids' brains and bodies thrive on it too! Encouraging words support emotional regulation while negativity heighten anxious feelings. Not sure what to say? Start with noticing something simple and describe it to them. Try this out (and feel free to personalize it!) -- "I appreciate that you try even when things are hard."

Mercer Island Parent Edge is a program within the Mercer Island PTA Council. 
We coordinate events and programs for parents, students and educators. 
Our goal is to encourage dialogue and share best practices.

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