The early Greek philosophers put their finger on an idea that is intuitive to people of all cultures and beliefs. They recognized the noble potential in each child and understood that that potential needed to be supported, strengthen, educated and trained. Their education goal was to teach their children to “know the good, to love the good and to do the good.” The “good” broadly described the characteristics and values of a distinguished young man or woman whose life and living would garner the love and respect of all citizens and would benefit society at large.

    But raising noble children did not happen by accident. Starting at an early age parents and educators were proactive in providing children appropriate education and experiences, and during early adolescence, they guided their children to become self-reflective, thoughtful young people who took the initiative to build themselves into great individuals.

    Nearly 2500 years later the principles of this Greek proverb have been supported by contemporary research in child development and education. This lecture and workshop will look at how parents can guide their children to “know the good, love the good, and do the good,” through building behavioral habits at a young age and healthy reasonings in young adulthood.

    For planning purposes please RSVP by Wednesday, November 18, to Donna Parrino at 216-251-2321

This lecture and workshop will focus on mathematics education: how to build competency, enthusiasm, and advanced problem solving skills in mathematics. The workshop session will also include how to solve a variety of math competition problems.

For planning purposes please RSVP by Wednesday, December 9 to Donna Parrino at 216-251-2321

Series background – Principles of Great Education

Great education is a combination of historical precedents, contemporary research, and practical day-to-day classroom experience. It focuses on both academic achievement and character development. It also has been our passion at Birchwood School for twenty-five years.

This series of discussions, Principles of Great Education, is intended to introduce parents to the tenets of great education and to help them maximize their child’s education experience at Birchwood School. We believe, and it has been our experience, that the more parents understand the Birchwood approach to education, the more they and their children will benefit from their experience at Birchwood.

For planning purposes please RSVP by Wednesday, January 20 to Donna Parrino at 216-251-2321

LIFE IS FRONT-END-LOADED
GIVE YOUR CHILDREN A HEAD START
A workshop on making early education count

    Although it seems we remember little from our primary school years, history and research suggest that these formative years, perhaps more than any other period in life, fashioned an enduring, personal legacy for our intellectual, emotional and social development. While we might vividly remember special events or loving individuals, it is those difficult-to-remember, if not forgotten, histories behind habits, attitudes and reasonings that play the greatest role in informing who we are today.

    It follows, therefore, that before children reach an age when they will flex their muscles of independence, parents should be proactive in providing their children the experiences, instruction, training and guidance that will play a formidable, life-long role in shaping their children’s attitudes and habits toward life. Though contrary to conventional wisdom, the most important years of a child’s education occurs during the first eight years of life.

    This workshop will help parents define and recognize their own goals for their children and how they can construct important experiences for them in order to build productive attitudes, habits and reasonings.

    For planning purposes please RSVP by Wednesday, February 17 to Donna Parrino at 216-251-2321

Setting Realistically High Academic Standards
and Expectations
“What levels of academic performance should I expect from my children?”

    Drawing from four articles he co-authored with Dr. Mehmet Ozturk, Mr. Debelak will explore the research that discusses setting realistic and meaningful academic expectations for children. This discussion will include international and historical comparisons, and it will also include how the particular needs of gifted middle-school students can be met through quality academic competitions.

    For planning purposes please RSVP by Wednesday, March 17 to Donna Parrino at 216-251-2321

    For planning purposes please RSVP by Monday, April 19 to Donna Parrino at 216-251-2321

  Raising Happy Children:
Reflecting on history, current research, trends, myths and practices

    What more could a parent hope for than to raise happy children. What parent, from the depths of his heart, has not uttered at one time or another, “I want my son to be happy in life! I want me daughter to have a happy life.”  Perhaps it is even a prayer that transcends all of our cultures and religions. Yet the task is daunting and perhaps even elusive. How do we even approach question? No one can really claim expertise in this work (at least not anyone who has actually tried to raise children).    

    Despite the challenge, there are guideposts. We can learn from history. We can learn from various cultures, and we can learn from contemporary research that focuses on child development issues. Perhaps best of all, we can learn from mistakes! At any rate, despite the complexity, parents still hope to do what is best to give their children a “happy” life.

    This lecture is designed to provide food for thought. It is a time for personal reflection concerning how this parenting challenge impacts each of us. It is a chance to get away for an evening from the day-to-day issues of parenting and consider the more enduring aspects of raising great kids.

    For planning purposes please RSVP by Wednesday, May 18 to Donna Parrino at 216-251-2321