The Parents’ Association (PA) Parent Education Committee is offering another “PEP” talk, this time on the topic of “developing our children’s self-reliance and resilience so that they may become the masters of their own destiny.” D-E Lower, Middle, and Upper School parents/ guardians all are invited to join in on Thursday, Jan. 24 at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM in Hulst House (located in Leggett Hall).

D-E Parent Paolo Bettelli will help to facilitate the conversation, which aims to discuss whether over-parenting may be hindering our children’s ability to rise up to challenges, embrace opportunities and develop their own sense of purpose and self.

In advance of this conversation parents are encouraged to check out resources provided by Ms. Bettelli (click here to view).

During this PEP talk, parents/guardians can expect to discuss strategies proposed by well-known authors on raising self-disciplined and resilient children, capable of meeting life’s challenges and of exercising their rights to  “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

You’ve invested the best of yourself and your resources in the holiday season. Now it is time to be intentional about taking care of yourself in 2019. February is a perfect time to align with nature’s pulse, slow down, turn inward, and recharge. Join us in this workshop as we explore the benefits of self-care and what it means to be mindful. Learn simple mindfulness practices that can support you in slowing down, soothing your nervous system and balancing your energy. Hear some of the basic science around how these practices benefit the body and brain. Participants will leave the workshop with some basic tools to support living a life with more ease and flow.

Join this 5-session group!

By participating in “Empowering Young Men” you will discuss masculinity, consent, violence, exploitation, and how they affect you, your peers and your community.

This unique learning experience is being offered to upper school boys at D-E. Expert facilitators from Bergen County YWCA’s healingSPACE will provide this free after school workshop in our community. If this opportunity is of interest to you and you can commit to the following dates, sign up. The group will meet from 3:45-4:45 p.m. on the following days:

• February 6
• February 13
• February 20
• February 27
• March 6

10 Week-Day Sessions beginning Thursday, February 7, 2019 – Thursday, May 9, 2019 

$450

Description:  This ten-session course is an immersive experience for adults in which we will learn an evidence-based skill set of habits that keep us working and feeling our best.  Our body’s resources all have limits.  Our energy, our attention, our willpower, our memory, and even our good mood are all finite, so in order to keep working for us, they need to be recharged regularly.  In this course, participants will learn about mindfulness, meditation, and a range of complementary movement and wellness practices to help individuals learn to just be, rather than feeling the need to push into overdrive.

This immersion will introduce the fundamentals of practicing mindfulness–the ability to purposefully direct our attention where we want it rather than where our thoughts, emotions, distractions, and our outside environment may take it.  Believe it or not, by learning to pay greater attention to the simple things that are going on in any given moment–from our breathing to the sounds in the room and the taste of our food–we’re actually able to become more attentive, calm, and present.

Each session will include guided meditation, journaling exercises and specific topics to dive deep into.  These topics will include managing stress, learning to say “no”, work/life balance, self-compassion, fearless living and much more. We will spend time learning the science of well-being: what we can learn from the research about topics ranging from the effect of stress and lack of sleep on the body to the importance of practicing gratitude.  There will be time for creativity and self-reflection to allow participants to discover which of these practices resonate with them and will support them moving forward. Participants completing the ten sessions will leave with a toolbox for carrying these new ways of being into their daily life and integrating them into their work and family routines.

Session Dates:

•  Session 1 – February 7
• Session 2 – February 21
• Session 3 – February 28
• Session 4 – March 7
• Session 5 – March 14
• Session 6 – April 11
• Session 7 – April 18
• Session 8 – April 25
• Session 9  – May 2
• Session 10 – May 9

We are pleased to partner with coaches from Durkan Fencing Academy to provide this exciting workshop.  The clinic will be divided up by age and skills.  Emphasis will be placed on the fundamental skills of fencing.  We’ll have fun while learning about the oldest Olympic sport with coaches who specialize in training at all levels.  All equipment is provided.  What should participants bring: wear comfortable (athletic) clothing and sneakers.  We’ll provide snacks and water.

• For Grades 5-9 only
• This workshop will also be an offering available to students who want to learn more during D-E 360° 2019 Summer Connections program.

Join us on May 2, 2018, 2-4 PM in Nettie-Louise Coit Garden for happy spring spruce up:  tidy and mulch paths and beneficial insect habitat borders,  review how to water and sign up for summer watering turns, reinstall chickens and review their care, sign up for summer chicken care turns.

About D-E Garden Project

Help keep our beautiful teaching gardens in shape by participating in three annual work parties and signing up to water the vegetables and take care of the chickens during school holidays. Garden Parents also serve as “critical friends” by listening to students who are planning, planting and building and offering questions and suggestions from an adult perspective.

Volunteers Needed!

In addition to innumerable willing worker bees with any level of experience, the Garden Project needs a work-party coordinator who will reach out to us all, collect RSVPs and organize refreshments.

Join us on May 23, 2018, 2-4 PM in Nettie-Louise Coit Garden for the rain date for spring spruce up.

About D-E Garden Project

Help keep our beautiful teaching gardens in shape by participating in three annual work parties and signing up to water the vegetables and take care of the chickens during school holidays. Garden Parents also serve as “critical friends” by listening to students who are planning, planting and building and offering questions and suggestions from an adult perspective.

Volunteers Needed!

In addition to innumerable willing worker bees with any level of experience, the Garden Project needs a work-party coordinator who will reach out to us all, collect RSVPs and organize refreshments.