New District 202 Group Aims to Address 'Global Parenting Needs'

PLAINFIELD, IL — District 202-area parents are invited and encouraged to attend the first-ever meeting of the Plainfield Parent Community Network (PPCN) which intends to support parents with common parenting needs.

The free meeting will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 13, 2016 in the auditorium at Plainfield High School – Central Campus, 24120 W. Fort Beggs Drive. Attendees should enter through Door G.

The new group is the brainchild of several District 202 social workers, special education administrators and counselors – however it is not just for families of students of special needs.

“We wanted to do something more at the district or community level to provide supportive services and skills to give all parents a little extra help with some global parenting needs,” said Tim Albores, District 202 Director for High School Student Services.

“This group is intended to be a community resource for everyone,” Albores said.

For example, the first PPCN meeting will feature Adam Russo, chairman and chief executive officer of Edgewood Clinical Services, a mental health agency in Naperville and Plainfield.

Russo will share ways to let kids fail now in a safe, supportive environment so that failure later in life isn’t surprising and overwhelming. “Being able to deal with failure now will in turn help them be successful when they are older,” Albores said.

As well, Todd Fink, a musician, author, speaker, counselor and lifelong student of meditation will discuss the importance of “mindfulness” – being aware of one’s strengths and struggles as a way to be more focused on solutions to life’s challenges.

The information will be presented in 20-minute segments with discussion after each, modeled on the popular “TED Talk” radio and Internet program format.

Two PPCN meetings are planned for this year, overseen by a committee comprising district administrators, principals, counselors and community members.

Submitted by Plainfield School District 202

photo via Plainfield School District 202