NPN Amy J.

🎥 Win Two Tickets to The Goonies 40th Anniversary in Concert with The Chicago Philharmonic! 🎵 🎉 NPN is excited to offer members the chance to win two tickets to the one-night-only performance (Saturday, April 26 @ 7:30pm) of The Goonies 40th Anniversary in Concert with The Chicago Philharmonic at the Auditorium Theatre! Audiences will experience one of the most-loved films of the '80s with the Chicago Philharmonic playing the Dave Grusin score live to film. How to Enter: Comment on THIS POST through Monday 4/14 sharing your favorite '80s movie. Here is the link to the post: https://www.npnparents.org/forums/topic/192850-win-2-tickets-to-the-goonies-40th-anniversary-in-concert-with-the-chicago-philharmonic/ Deadline: Entries must be submitted by Monday 4/14. The winner will be contacted via email on Tuesday 4/15. Don’t miss your chance to experience this beloved adventure comedy from 1985 that follows a group of misfits on a search for long-lost treasure, complete with an ancient map, deadly booby traps, a ruthless crime family, and Baby Ruth candy bars! 🌟

Marc Berkman is the CEO of the Organization for Social Media Safety (OFSMS), the first consumer protection organization focused on social media. In this episode he talks with Amy and Sitaara about how the organization uses a consumer-oriented approach of education, advocacy, and technology in working to make social media safe for children. Learn about children’s drive for “clout”, the lose-lose parenting trade off, and practical safety interventions that parents can implement at home for children from preschool to young adulthood. We discuss the legislation the Organization for Social Media Safety is working on to protect children online and the impact schools can have in keeping students safe. After listening to this episode listeners will walk away with practical advice on safety software options and concrete steps to take to make social media safe for everyone. This recording is the eleventh episode of NPN's podcast, Chicago Style Parenting. The podcast was published on 3/11/25. For more information and resources about this topic, visit the podcast episode's show notes.

Join Emily Winsor, Managing Director of Tuesday's Child, in the first of a three-part series on Special Education in Chicago. This session will walk parents through the basics of the special education process. You will learn who special education is for, important terms, and Emily's key takeaways on the best way to approach the special education process. This session was recorded live on 4/3/25.

Join Sitaara as she talks with Natasha Croff and Julie Molina, Parent Support Specialists for Chicago Public Schools, about the CPS application and admissions process for students with disabilities. Natasha and Julie provide expert insights on navigating the system, things to consider when applying to selective enrollment elementary and high schools, available resources and what resources to look for when considering which school may be the best fit. Tune in for practical advice, key steps families should take to ensure their children receive the support they need, and the essential information to help make the admissions journey smoother. This recording is the twelfth episode of NPN's podcast, Chicago Style Parenting. The podcast was published on 3/25/25. For more information and resources about this topic, visit the podcast episode's show notes.

NPN's annual Online Auction offers great items that Chicago parents want and love, including kids' classes, activities, restaurant gift certificates, massages and access to cool experiences you can't find anywhere else! Start bidding here: https://npnparents.betterworld.org/auctions/2025 🌟 There will NOT be a second-chance auction this year so bid while you can to avoid missing out on a great deal! With the proceeds from our auction, NPN, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will be able to continue to provide support and resources designed to solve the challenges of parenting in Chicago. Bidding closes at 10pm on Sunday, March 16th. Questions? Email amyj@npnparents.org Want to donate an item, gift certificate, or experience? Donate here.

During your preschool and elementary school search, you may be looking for a school where your child will feel a sense of belonging. In this session we cover what it means for a school and classroom to be inclusive of all students, why it is important, and how to identify an inclusive school during your school search. We discuss how schools create a welcome environment for families from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, identities, developmental and physical differences and intellectual disabilities. This session was recorded live on March 6, 2025.

With children and adults confronted with AI search results and information coming from an unending supply of sources in an ever-more complicated world, critical thinking skills are considered more important every day. How can parents help their children develop critical thinking skills? Can schools play a role in this? Join us for this discussion to find out. In this session we cover what critical thinking is, why it is important, and where it fits in the timeline of child development. You will learn how schools view their role in helping students develop critical thinking skills, and what that looks like in the classroom and all aspects of school life. We also discuss ways that parents can support their child's critical thinking skills at home and how to evaluate school's educational approach to critical thinking during your school search. Enjoy the questions from parents at the end. This session was recorded live on February 25, 2025.

Join the Discussion in the NPN Forum on April 24th (Member's Only Event): Ask Emily Winsor, Managing Director of Tuesday's Child, specifics about the IEP process, how to manage your child's challenging behavior or social-emotional challenges, and how to support your child's development. Ask your question here. The thread will open for one day only, April 24th, starting at 5:00 AM. Emily Winsor is a board certified behavior analyst and the managing director of Tuesday's Child. Before joining Tuesday's Child, she served as the Clinical Director at ABA Midwest and the Director of Clinical Services at Reach ABA. She holds a Master of Education (MEd) in special education and teaching from Endicott College. Tuesday’s Child supports Chicago families facing behavioral and social-emotional challenges that hinder their child's ability to thrive at home, in school, and in social settings. Tuesday's Child's evidence-based child behavior and development programs emphasize early intervention, offering essential tools and resources to parents without requiring a formal diagnosis for their children. NPN's Discussion Forum is available to members only. Not a member? Join NPN today!

During your preschool and elementary school search, you may be looking for a school where your child will feel a sense of belonging. In this session we will cover what it means for a school and classroom to be inclusive of all students, why it is important, and how to identify an inclusive school during your school search. We will discuss how schools create a welcome environment for families from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, identities, developmental and physical differences and intellectual disabilities. Come with questions! There will be time for Q & A at the end. This session will take place over Zoom. RSVP for the link. Our panelists include experts from Park West Cooperative Nursery School and Blue Bird Day School. Stay tuned for more!

With children and adults confronted with AI search results and information coming from an unending supply of sources in an ever-more complicated world, critical thinking skills are considered more important every day. How can parents help their children develop critical thinking skills? Can schools play a role in this? Join us for this discussion to find out. In this session we will cover what critical thinking is, why it is important, and where it fits in the timeline of child development. You will learn how schools view their role in helping students develop critical thinking skills, and what that looks like in the classroom and all aspects of school life. We will discuss ways that parents can support their child's critical thinking skills at home and how to evaluate school's educational approach to critical thinking during your school search. Come with questions! There will be time for Q & A at the end. This session will take place over Zoom. RSVP for the link. Our panelists include experts from St. Andrew School and West Suburban Montessori School. Stay tuned for more!

Join Emily Winsor, Managing Director of Tuesday's Child, in the second of a three-part series on Special Education in Chicago. This session will walk you through the first steps you need to take when entering into special education with your child. You will learn about the difference between IEPs and 504s, the continuum of special education services and learning environments in Chicago, the steps of the IEP/504 process, and what to expect during IEP and 504 meetings. There will be time for questions at the end. This session will be held over Zoom. RSVP to receive the link. In the final session, parents will learn how to determine if their child's IEP or 504 is meeting their child's needs. The final session will be held in-person at NPN's Developmental Differences Resource Fair (DDRF) on Sunday, April 27th at Wolcott College Prep. RSVP for session 3 here. More about our speaker: Emily Winsor MSEd, BCBA brings many years of experience in the fields of Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis. She earned her Master's Degree in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott College in Beverly, MA, and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2014. Growing up, Emily became interested in Special Education as she watched her mom help hundreds of students in her role as a high school Special Education Teacher and administrator. She decided to pursue a Master's degree in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis when her nephew was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder at age three. Through her education and experience, Emily has learned that providing compassionate care through a collaborative team approach is the best way to help individuals and their families achieve their goals. Emily's priority is for all children and their families to have meaningful, supportive educational experiences and enjoy their lives!

Join Emily Winsor, Managing Director of Tuesday's Child, in the first of a three-part series on Special Education in Chicago. This session will walk parents through the basics of the special education process. Learn who special education is for, key terms, and more. There will be time for questions at the end. This session will be held over Zoom. RSVP to receive the link. In the next session, parents will learn about IEPs (Individual Education Programs), learning environments, and then many steps involved in getting an IEP, or 504 and the order that the steps happen. In the final session, parents will learn how to determine if their child's IEP is "good". The final session will be held in-person at NPN's Developmental Differences Resource Fair (DDRF) on Sunday, April 27th at Wolcott College Prep. RSVP for session 2 here. RSVP for session 3, at DDRF, here. More about our speaker: Emily Winsor MSEd, BCBA brings many years of experience in the fields of Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis. She earned her Master's Degree in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott College in Beverly, MA, and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2014. Growing up, Emily became interested in Special Education as she watched her mom help hundreds of students in her role as a high school Special Education Teacher and administrator. She decided to pursue a Master's degree in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis when her nephew was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder at age three. Through her education and experience, Emily has learned that providing compassionate care through a collaborative team approach is the best way to help individuals and their families achieve their goals. Emily's priority is for all children and their families to have meaningful, supportive educational experiences and enjoy their lives!

Samantha Alloway, Executive Director of The Arc of Illinois talks with Amy about Medicaid. We discuss what it is, what it provides, and who uses it. Parents might be surprised to learn that Medicaid benefits families at all income levels and it makes disability services possible in Illinois. Hear about what services will be lost and who will be at risk if Medicaid funding is cut. Learn how to advocate for full funding and how you can support your neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities in your daily life. Important links: The Arc of Illinois Take Action and Contact Your Legislators Share Your Medicaid Story Plus, ask specific questions about Medicaid to The Arc of Illinois' Director of Family to Family Health Information Center here: Susan@thearcofil.org See also: NPN's Developmental Differences Resource Fair - coming up April 27, 2025! NPN's Developmental Differences Resource Directory NPN's Developmental Differences Parent Support Group This recording is the ninth episode of NPN's podcast, Chicago Style Parenting. It was published on 2/13/25.

Martin Moran, lead designer of Middle and Upper School at Bennett Day School talks with Amy and Sitaara about preparing children for the age of artificial intelligence. We discuss how a progressive educational philosophy allows for a healthy approach to AI. Learn some ways teachers and students use AI to increase efficiency and enhance their work, when parents should allow or discourage the use of AI in completing homework, and how parents can help their students learn skills that AI can't replace, like empathy, ingenuity, and critical thinking. This recording is the ninth episode of NPN's podcast, Chicago Style Parenting. The podcast episode will be published on 2/14/25.

In this video, Dr. Camille Franklin, Network 4 Family Engagement Coordinator from the CPS Office of Early Childhood Education talks with NPN staff members Amy and Sitaara about the preschool options in CPS. We discuss CPS PreK, community-based preschool, early learning programs and more. Learn how to determine which type is right for your family, when to apply, how to apply and what to do once the offers come out. Links to resources we discussed: Office of Early Childhood Education Chicago Early Learning Family Resource Centers Chicago Early Learning Programs Also, the Family Support Help Line: 312-229-1690 This recording is the eighth episode of NPN's podcast, Chicago Style Parenting. It was published on 1/3/25.