Roaring Fork Schools are planning to offer a free family education event in each community this spring on the topic of “positive parenting solutions and essential brain science every parent should know.”

“Advances in neuroscience in the past decade have really opened up a new understanding of how to support students’ brain development and encourage cooperation over power struggles,” Lindsay Hentschel, the district’s Professional Development & Curriculum Coordinator, said in a press release.

“Positive parenting strategies help parents to feel connected to their child while still holding high behavioral expectations,” she said.

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The event series is being offered by the Roaring Fork School District in an effort to partner with parents in supporting student success, according to the release.

“Families will leave with new positive parenting knowledge and tools to use right away to support the developing child’s brain chemistry,” added Grace Tennant, the district’s Responsive Services Coordinator.

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Tennant works with schools in the district to increase student and family engagement. One way schools are doing this is through family education events such as the upcoming series.

Last semester, over 100 families attended self-regulation events that were held across the district.

“The feedback from those that attended was very positive, and the school district hopes to increase the number of attendees at each event,” the release went on to state.

Next year, the district plans to offer parent events on restorative practices and collaborative and proactive problem-solving methods.

“These events are aligned with the content and practices that students see in their classrooms throughout all of our schools,” according to the release.

The upcoming positive-parenting events will be presented by two local counselors, Janet Earley and Mary Bowles. Earley has been working in educational and therapeutic settings for over 26 years. Bowles is a Gottman Institute trained family therapist and neurotherapist.

The events are open to families with children of all ages.