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Parent Education

Digital Citizenship

Upper School students receive training in best practices (internet safety, security, privacy, and building a positive digital footprint) when they are issued their Microsoft Surface devices.

Common Sense Media provides age-appropriate curriculum on good digital citizenship as well as helpful information, safety tips, and data on a whole host of media-related topics, for example, their article on TikTok Safety Tips had some excellent suggestions for parents who might be navigating this newer app. Also see the Axis Parent Resources.

Digital Media and Children

Middle School Dean of Students Nathan Pettit spoke about the impact of digital media consumption on children. View his Tech Talk presentation slides online. Additionally, Nathan recommends the following books on the topic:

  • The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Stanley
  • Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport
  • Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age by Sherry Turkle
  • The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr
  • iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy – and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood by Jean M. Twenge
  • Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time by Victoria L. Dunckley

Help Teenagers Navigate Today's Culture

Bear Creek recommends the curated resources provided by Axis to help parents "navigate today's culture and connect with your teen through meaningful conversations that last a lifetime." Axis seeks to see all caring adults equipped with the conversation, discipleship, and culture translation skills needed to reach the next generation for Christ. Build your teen’s lifelong faith in Jesus by tackling tough topics together, one conversation at a time.

Axis Parent Resources

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Beaven Walters, the founder of 3D Parent, shares tips for parents when it's time for their child's parent/teacher conferences. Watch Decoding Parenting: Parent-teacher conference dos and don'ts!

Social Media Safety and the Law

Resources provided by Stefanie Hanley during her April 30, 2020 presentation:

Tools for Success

Watch Bear Creek's Parenting Seminars channel on YouTube to catch up on Tools for Success sessions that you weren't able to attend in person.

Bear Creek Libraries

In addition to housing a collection of physical and digital resources that support and enhance the curriculum, the library collection also includes parenting resources. Visit the Bear Creek Libraries and go to the Library Catalog. Then type "parenting" into the search bar.

Preparing for a Successful School Year

Bear Creek administrators discuss how to get the school year off to a great start. Watch the recording on our YouTube channel.

  • Gain insight from Early Middle School Division Head Jenn McDonough on how technology can be a tool
  • Learn from Lower School Division Head Kristen Gephart about the importance of friendships
  • Hear V.P. for Academic Affairs Karen Blankenbeckler share ways the school and parents can partner well

Social Learning on the Playground

Students in Lower School are learning how to navigate socially with others. We know these strategies have to be intentionally taught and that to fully develop these tools, students need practice over time. Teachers spend time in the classroom proactively teaching strategies and unpacking student issues on the playground to teach strategies. One tool we use with students for a common language across Lower School is called Kelso's Choice. We have adults available to help solve big problems. Kelso's Choices provide tools students can use to handle small problems: talk it out, make a deal, tell them to stop, apologize, share, wait and cool off, ignore it, walk away, or go to another game.

Race and Racism

Resources for talking with your child about race:

Articles

Websites

Podcasts

Books

For adults or older children

  • Under Our Skin, Getting Real About Race by Benjamin Watson
  • Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
  • Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by Latasha Morrison
  • Roadmap to Reconciliation by Brenda Salter McNeil
  • Prophetic Lament by Soong-Chan Rah
  • The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby

Parent Conversation Notes