The Richmond School District is excited to offer the following parent education sessions during the 2024/25 school year:

• Social Media Awareness, Digital Citizenship, and Cyberbullying
• Cellphones: What’s Healthy, What’s Not, and What We Can Do to Support Our Kids
• Reclaiming Play: Revitalizing Childhood to Combat Anxiety and Aggression
• Cybersafe from Exploitation 

These virtual sessions are open to all parents in the Richmond School District and will provide practical strategies, expert insights, and tools to support your child’s well-being in the digital age. Please see below for detailed descriptions of each session and registration information. We look forward to your participation!

Social Media Awareness, Digital Citizenship, and Cyberbullying 

Presented by Steven MacDonald 
November 13, 2024  |  6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

As a parent/guardian, you lead the charge as a digital role model. Help your child develop a strong digital citizenship foundation while reminding them that their digital tattoo reflects their real and online selves. Parents/guardians have an important role to play in providing support and guidance during critical periods. A snapshot of current trends and concerning apps will be provided to equip you in your digital parenting strategy.

Click here to register

Cellphones: What’s Healthy, What’s Not, and What We Can Do to Support Our Kids 

Presented by Hannah Beach 
January 21, 2025  |  6:30 – 8 p.m.

Many of our kids are anxious and glued to their phones, seeking endless distraction and feeling isolated and disconnected. Aggressive outbursts have become common and yet others seem to have stopped talking all together. As parents and caregivers, we are increasingly alarmed. We entice, cajole, bribe, encourage, shout, but nothing seems to work long term.

Join Hannah for a warm and conversational workshop exploring practical strategies we can use to help our children and youth when it comes to managing devices. This conversation has never been more important as we look at how we can support our children and youth to grow, learn, develop, and reach their fullest potential.

Closed captioning in multiple languages will be available for participants.

Click here to register

Reclaiming Play: Revitalizing Childhood to Combat Anxiety and Aggression
Presented by Hannah Beach 
February 25, 2025  |  6:30 – 8 p.m.

Children are becoming more anxious and aggressive. The common thread? A stark decline in free play. After this session, you may never see play the same way again. Our current culture has replaced play with entertainment and structured activities. We are now seeing the emotional side effects of the loss of play in the lives of children as aggression and anxiety in young people is at an all-time high. 

The research is clear: children learn and develop best through play. And yet, children are playing less than ever. In fact, this is the first generation of children that does not have a play-based childhood. The side effects? Children and youth are struggling. It has become harder than ever to lead and care for kids. 

This conversation has never been more important as we look at how we can support children’s emotional health and learning. We’ll unpack the science behind play and how it lowers anxiety and aggression, builds resilience, and fosters social and emotional health.

Little changes can have big effects. Join Hannah for a powerful workshop that will help you discover practical ways to transform your family culture and support your children in becoming their best selves.

Closed captioning in multiple languages will be available for participants.

Click here to register

Cybersafe from Exploitation 
Presented by Tianna Sharifi, Exploitation Education Institute
April 8, 2025  |  6:30 – 8 p.m.

As the digital world continues to evolve, so do the risks our children face online. We invite you to join us for an informative and practical session, Cybersafe from Exploitation, led by Tianna Sharifi of the Exploitation Education Institute. This session is designed to provide parents with critical insights and tools to safeguard their children from online sexual exploitation.

Together, we will explore current trends in online exploitation, understand the dangers associated with AI and deepfakes, and learn how to identify red flags and warning signs. You will also discover effective ways to talk to your child about online safety, navigate the complexities of information sharing, and gain practical advice on handling risks tied to gaming platforms. With a focus on real-world issues and actionable strategies, this session aims to empower you to have informed and impactful conversations with your children.

We look forward to seeing you there and supporting you in keeping your family safe online.

Closed captioning in multiple languages will be available for participants.

Click here to register