Woodridge School District 68 families can tune into free, expert-led parenting sessions starting Thursday, Aug. 20, the day after students return to class.
No registration is required.
The district is promoting its partnership with the GPS Parent Series, a program that offers more than 50 sessions per school year on topics including childhood brain development, anxiety, screen time, homework battles and peer relationships. Sessions run through May 2027, and community sponsors cover the cost so families pay nothing.
The season opener features Dr. David Yeager presenting "Start the School Year Strong: The Science of Motivating Young People" at noon and 7 p.m. via Zoom, according to the 2026-27 GPS brochure.
Two more sessions follow the same week: Dr. Meredith Elkins and Lynn Lyons on "Parenting Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle of Worry and Raising Resilient Kids" on Wednesday, Aug. 26, and Dr. Michaeleen Doucleff on "Dopamine Kids: Understand Addictive Triggers and Rewire Young Brains" on Thursday, Aug. 27.
Multilingual programming
The series also offers sessions in Spanish, Gujarati and Urdu. A Spanish-language program is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24, with Mariana Proske Gutierrez on "The Power of Play: Nurturing Essential Skills in Early Childhood." A Urdu/Hindi session with Saleha Jawaid, "Strategies for Building a Lasting Connection With Your Child," is set for Thursday, Jan. 14, 2027.
Who it's for
The program serves anyone caring for young people from infancy through age 25, including parents, grandparents, neighbors and professionals. Most sessions are delivered via Zoom at noon and 7 p.m., with select in-person options at College of DuPage and Glenbard high school libraries.
Woodridge SD 68 is one of more than 100 partner districts and organizations across the Chicago suburbs. Locally, Downers Grove Grade School District 58, Community High School District 99 and Westmont CUSD 201 are also partners, meaning families across the coverage area have access.
The GPS Parent Series is run by executive director Gilda Ross through Glenbard Township High School District 87 in Glen Ellyn.
District 68's roughly 2,900 students across seven schools return to class Wednesday, Aug. 19. Families can access sessions at gpsparentseries.org starting Aug. 20.
