Be Involved, Be Informed, Be Connected
We provide education, information and a communication network to inform parents about social and developmental issues.
EVENTS
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GUEST COLUMN
Transitioning our Teens to Post-Pandemic Life
One of the most encouraging things parents can do to help their teens transition to a post-pandemic era is to recognize and validate their feelings. You don’t even need to connect their feelings to the Pandemic, so if you’re saying to yourself, “My kid wasn’t traumatized. They just took advantage of remote schooling to sleep through classes because they could get away with it,” you can still recognize the feelings which, regardless of the cause, are valid. You could say (non-judgmentally), “It seems like you’re tired a lot, is there anything I can do to help?” Or, “You seem a little ‘flat’ lately. Your energy seems to be low. Do you want to talk about it?” If they’re sad, you could say, “You seem down. Anything I can do?” If they seem angry, you can say, “I’m concerned. You seem so angry. Can I help?”
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
A Letter from our NYC-PIA President
Welcome to the end of a school year like no other! NYC-Parents in Action is pleased to share with you that despite the uncertainties and inevitable challenges a pandemic has wrought, connecting parents through Parent Talks has remained a reliable constant, and, even via Zoom, a popular and effective forum for our community… After 40 years, we look forward to continuing these talks, either on Zoom or in-person, and to hosting, in the 2021-22 school year, NYC-PIA signature events like our ever-popular Teen Scene and Fathers Forum.
In Case You Missed it
TEEN SCENE: QUOTES FROM THE KIDS – A RETROSPECTIVE
Teen Scene, viewed over the last 20 years, proves what most of us already suspect: that for all the shifting trends decades may bring, human nature doesn’t change much. A glance at remarks from our teen panelists, chosen at random from 2001-2017, reveals that while the details may vary the big picture is pretty stable. Take a look:
QuaranTEEN Scene – May 2020
Since 1986, NYC-Parents in Action’s signature event, Teen Scene, has offered parents a candid, inside glimpse of life as a NYC independent high school student. We contacted a few previous panelists (some are now in college) to ask what’s changed for them under social distancing rules, in an altered world that has us all off balance.
Despite lives of cramped restraint, they make room to reflect and share their self-discoveries. You will hear what they miss most, and what they still are able to reach for, to derive comfort.
Teen Scene Panelists Share Hopes, Fears – and Advice for Parents
“No one wants to be met with anger when struggling.” This wise observation from one of the panelists at NYC-Parents in Action’s 34th annual Teen Scene underscores the importance of understanding your child. The panel of 16 NYC independent high school students, 9th thru 12th grade spoke candidly to a sold-out parent audience on February 10, 2020.
Ask the Expert: Lucy Martin-Gianino
Talk about leaving a legacy! Lucy Martin-Gianino has moderated NYC-Parents in Action’s Teen Scene since its inception in 1986. As the Teen Scene moderator, Lucy oversees a teen panel offering parents a chance to hear high schoolers speak candidly about the academic, social, substance abuse and mental health issues they face growing up in the New York City independent schools. Lucy, an actress and trained facilitator, joined NYC-Parents in Action four decades ago with a desire to support PIA’s commitment to serve parents of the New York City independent schools. After 35 years, there’s not much Lucy hasn’t heard! To celebrate 35 YEARS of Teen Scene, we chatted with Lucy, fondly dubbed a “Lifer for Parents in Action.”
Ask the Expert: Maria Underwood
Throughout this year, many NYC independent schools have re-examined their efforts to support diversity, equity and inclusion within their communities — often prompted by painful stories of bias and marginalization expressed by students and alumni of color. For the latest Q&A Corner: “Ask The Expert,” Maria Underwood, a Senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Educational Consultant and NYC-Parents in Action Facilitator, answered some questions to help parents navigate difficult conversations about race and bias.