Presentation: "How Schools and Parents Can Promote Students’ Resilience, Strengths and Well-Being"

The Half Hollow Hills PTA Council Parent Resource Center hosts this free program made possible through a grant by Suffolk County Legislator Steven Stern and presented by Dr. Jane Gillham, Associate Professor, Swarthmore College; Co-Director, Penn Resiliency Program.

Most programs that aim to promote students' social and emotional well-being target problem behaviors (e.g., bullying, substance use, and other high risk behaviors). While these programs are important, they are limited. They focus on reducing or preventing what is wrong rather than helping students (and schools) to truly flourish. How can we promote what is best in our students? We will discuss recent work in the fields of positive psychology and positive education. We will discuss strategies that educators and parents can use to help students discover and use their strengths, develop positive relationships, and experience greater engagement and meaning.