Search the Community

Does your child have an IEP or 504 plan? Are you having challenges receiving supportive services in school for your child? Are you overwhelmed with understanding what therapies your insurance will cover and will not cover? Did you know your child can receive accommodations even in college? Do you know your child's rights within the state of Illinois? Well NPN is here to help! In this session, you will learn when it is appropriate to seek legal advice, what rights your child has in the state of Illinois, what are your child's health care rights in the state of Illinois and so much more! Our expert will provide valuable information as well as be ready to answer your questions. Anna joined Matt Cohen & Associates in 2022. She practiced in the areas of product liability and commercial litigation for several years before taking time off to raise her children. From 2014-2017, Anna worked as an Adjunct Professor of Legal Writing at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Anna became interested in special education advocacy through volunteer work as well as through her own experiences as a parent. Anna looks forward to helping families obtain special education services and support and Section 504 accommodations. Anna earned a B.A. in Rhetoric and Spanish from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Does your child struggle with focus, irritability, or sleeping? Have you noticed that your child has become more clingy, fidgety, or finicky with food? Are you concerned about a change you observe in your child's behavior? Trying to figure out what is the root cause of a change in a child's behavior can be overwhelming. Well, NPN is here to help. In this session, we will discuss anxiety and bring clarity around what anxiety symptoms look like, when a diagnosis is appropriate, and what supportive resources and treatments are available. Our Esteemed Panelist: Dr. Chrisna M. Perry, Ph.D., Founder & Director, Comprehensive Learning Services Dr. Bill Pasola, Psy.D., Psychotherapist, Smart Love Family Services

Are you considering private schools in your school search? Do you have concerns about the cost of tuition? Or, have you dismissed the possibility due to affordability? This session is for you! Hear from some of Chicago's best private schools about affordability, grants, and financial aid. You will learn, about general needs and timelines when you apply for financial aid. In addition, details on affordability and alternative support options for each school on the panel. Our esteemed panelists are, Erin Woodhams, Director of Marketing, Admissions, and Communications, British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park, Melanie Ahmad, Director of Enrollment & Tuition Assistance, The Ancona School, and Corey Jacobson, Director of Marketing & Admissions, Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph School Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park.

As the world begins to normalize neurodiversity, more and more educational options are becoming available for special needs kids. In Chicagoland, there are several private school options for diverse learners. In this session, you will hear from Lorell Marin, Founder, of Quantum Leep Academy, and Kaitlyn "Kait" Mullahey, Head of School, Fusion Academy Lincoln Park. Our presenters will discuss why parents should consider private school options for their diverse learners, what questions parents should ask on their search, what an academic curriculum with therapeutic support looks like, and how tuition coverage works.

As the world begins to normalize neurodiversity, more and more educational options are becoming available for special needs kids. In Chicagoland, there are several private school options for diverse learners. In this session, you will hear from Lorell Marin, Founder, of Quantum Leep Academy, and Kaitlyn "Kait" Mullahey, Head of School, Fusion Academy Lincoln Park. Our presenters will discuss why parents should consider private school options for their diverse learners, what questions parents should ask on their search, what an academic curriculum with therapeutic support looks like, and how tuition coverage works. Our Esteemed Presenters: Lorell Marin, M.Ed., LCSW, BCBA, DT, Founder/CVO, Quantum LEEP Academy Lorell Marin founded LEEP Forward in 2001 out of her desire to create innovative and inclusive learning environments for all children that focused on social-emotional development. She expanded this vision in 2018 to include a school focusing on diverse learners. Lorell holds a master’s degree in both Social Work and Teaching (specializing in Special Education ). Lorell believes passionately in the potential of all children. This belief has driven her to continue to build up her toolbox and evolve with her clients. Just as no two children are alike, neither can the approach we take to support them along their path. Kaitlyn "Kait" Mullahey, M.S., C.A.G.S., Head of School, Fusion Academy Lincoln Park Kait earned a Bachelor of Science from Le Moyne College in Psychology and Elementary and Special Education, and a Master of Science in Inclusive Education from Syracuse University. She then went on to earn a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Loyola University Chicago’s School of Law in School Discipline Reform and stands as a doctoral candidate in Loyola University of Chicago’s Curriculum and Instruction doctoral program. Prior to joining Fusion, Kait served as a high school English and special education teacher and personalized learning instructional coach in city schools in New York. She has also held the roles of director of student support and assistant principal on Chicago's South and West sides. Passionate about teacher preparation, Kait has also worked at Loyola University Chicago as a doctoral research assistant and adjunct professor at LUC and Roosevelt University. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor:

Starting preschool is a big step and it can be an amazing experience for you and your child. In this session, we will discuss helpful routines you can start at home with your child to prepare for a smooth transition, separation anxiety, and any lingering doubts you might have about whether your child is ready or not. Our esteemed panel consists of: Chloe Robson, Head of Early Years, British International School of Chicago, South Loop Jimia Walker, Owner & Executive Director, Meaningful Milestones Dr. Camille Franklin, Family Engagement Coordinator, CPS Office of Early Childhood Education Meg Fitzgerald, Early Childhood Director, Bennett Day School Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor the British International School of Chicago, South Loop and we appreciate our Supporting Sponsor Meaningful Milestones. By registering for this event, you agree that NPN may share your name and email address with our presenting sponsor. Free for NPN members and Non- member! Not a NPN member? Join NPN for $30 using promo code NPNschool22 and attend all sessions for free! Join here Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our media partner:

It's that time of year again, school search time! Schools are welcoming prospective families for in-person tours and open houses. What type of questions are appropriate to ask during a tour or open house? Do you have questions about discipline, diversity, inclusion and bullying? Are any subjects off limits? Whether you are looking for a preschool, an elementary school, looking to transfer to a new school or searching for a high school, this session is for you. In this session, our panelists will discuss why it is important to ask all questions, how to ask sensitive questions, and what are good follow up questions. They will also give examples of comprehensive answers. Our esteemed panelists: Erin Woodhams, Director of Marketing, Admissions, and Communications, British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park, Tami Doig, Head of School, Daystar Academy, Laura Maheshwary, Director of Enrollment (PreK - 2nd), Bennett Day School, Sarah Cudnik, Owner, Kids Work Chicago Riverview Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park.

You’ve successfully navigated the nursery years, tolerated the toddler years and are pondering the preschool years when you realize, "OMG! Preschool means 'pre-SCHOOL,' and I need to find an elementary school!" A parent’s school search typically starts by sitting down at the computer and typing in “Best Elementary Schools." The results are populated with hits from sources such as GreatSchools, Niche, Schooldigger or School Sparrow. But what do these results mean, and should parents just add the #1 school to their list while ignoring other schools that are closer or more familiar to them? How reliable are the ratings, and how should a parent use them? [Related: How to apply to CPS selective enrollment elementary schools and magnet schools] The fact of the matter is that school ratings and rankings are a very messy, very inexact method to quantify schools. Because they are summarized by a “number” or “grade” or listed in a “ranking order," parents tend to put undue emphasis on ratings/rankings yet aren’t aware of what is being measured. While test scores are typically the largest component to rankings, “school fit” (literally, how good of a fit a given school is for your child) is much more than test performance and is ultimately a very personal matter that can even vary within a family from child to child. What truly qualifies as “best” for one family may not be well suited to another. While it is understandable that parents need some metric to start with, the metrics used can be skewed, out of date, or not reflective of the cohort your family will be entering the school with. Following are some common misunderstandings about school rankings: Ratings typically put the greatest emphasis on test scores, so better resourced families often have higher test scores and those family resources continue to benefit their children throughout their education Ratings/rankings are not set in stone and can change as demographics in a school changes Ratings typically reflect 3rd to 8th grade, so younger families should be wary of looking at metrics that may include a very different demographic than the one their family will be in school with Ratings often lump in all programs within a school. So, those with a higher population of students with learning needs may still be a great (or even better) option for your student, but the “rankings” may not reflect the level of supports. Schools can and do change, and schools in gentrifying areas may have more resources added to the school by the time your family will be attending [Related: 9 questions parents should be asking schools] Test scores don't tell the whole story It is somewhat pre-ordaining to use rankings to choose a school. Think about it: If test scores are a big factor in ratings/rankings, then children who have advantages and resources from birth are certainly going to test better overall and the schools near them will reap the benefits of well-resourced students and parents. While new parents may be more swayed by rankings, eventually we come to realize that academics alone are not a single trait to look for in a school. Social-emotional factors — as well as culture, climate and community — are just as impactful yet are hard to capture in objective metrics because they are inherently more subjective. School visits can be invaluable to dispel pre-conceptions or help a family picture themselves in a school, but people gravitate toward or crave the easier route of following rankings. School rankings don't measure lifestyle impact Parents who blindly follow blanket rankings/ratings may overlook a great "fitting" school in favor of one that a third-party metric says is 10 spots “above” the other school, yet requires a drive across town to attend. In the end, there may not be any marked difference in outcome for their child attending one or the other. But the lifestyle impact could be more negative for the school that's further away. One school’s overall scores may be lower because it serves a broader range of backgrounds or has more special needs students, but that doesn't mean your child’s success is reliant on only one school and not another. What your child can achieve and what they score on an exam does NOT have to be the “average” number. What to look for instead of rankings Using rankings and ratings to be the first or only metric in choosing a school can also serve to negatively suppress positive changes at a school. Instead, families should tour their local school or those near them. Another great indicator of a school fit? Talk to families with children their age who may have older siblings at the school. Reaching out to a school’s parent group or attending local school council (LSC) meetings is also a great way to get an honest scoop on a school. Ultimately, the greatest arbiter of student success is parent involvement in their children's lives — way beyond one school over another school, public or private, city or suburbs.

The Upper School Open House takes place on Saturday, November 12th and is an event for parents/guardians and students. The program will include an opening from school and student leaders and information about college counseling, financial assistance, athletics and extracurricular activities. You will also have the opportunity to learn more about our curriculum and student life while meeting Upper School faculty and current Parker students and parents. As a reminder, the event starts promptly at 10:00 am CT and will conclude at 12:30 pm CT. You will receive further instructions in the registration confirmation email. Visitors to the school must attest that they are free of symptoms of COVID-19 and comply with current campus protocols. We look forward to seeing you and your student on November 12th! Register Here

Where did the time go? All of a sudden your preschooler is now in 7th or 8th grade, and it is time to think about high school. There are so many things to think about. How do you support them as they commute to school on their own, navigate a larger building, get to class on time and carry a heavier class load? How do you support the social emotional changes around fitting in, making new friends, staying true to themselves, and building healthy peer relationships? How do you prepare your child for all these changes to come? Well, NPN is here as a resource. Hear from some of Chicago's best middle schools and high schools on how they support their students during the transition from middle to high school. You will walk away understanding, when to start discussing the transition with your child, what social emotional supports schools have in place, how to help your child with organization and time management and how to be supportive but not overbearing. Thank you to our panelist, Martin Moran, Lead Designer Middle and Upper School, Bennett Day School, Melanie Ahmad, Director of Enrollment & Tuition Assistance, The Ancona School and Alison Melton, Director of Guidance, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor & Panelist: Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School and we appreciate our Supporting Sponsor & Panelist: Daystar Academy

Join us for our Open House on Saturday November 5! (in person) This event will give you an opportunity to tour our school and ask key questions to our team. Registration is open! Hours: 10:00-12:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm: Pre-K (3 year old by 12/31/2022) through 5th grade 11:00am-12:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm: Middle, High school & IB program (taught in English, starting in 9th grade) Register Here

High School This event is for families considering the advantages of a premier private education in Chicago. Join us to learn about our international school, meet academic and administrative staff, and tour our facilities. 8:30–9 AM — Arrival and Sign In 9 AM – 10 AM School Tour 10 AM – 11 AM — Parent, Staff and Student Panel Register here

Where did the time go? All of a sudden your preschooler is now in 7th or 8th grade, and it is time to think about high school. There are so many things to think about. How do you support them as they commute to school on their own, navigate a larger building, get to class on time and carry a heavier class load? How do you support the social emotional changes around fitting in, making new friends, staying true to themselves, and building healthy peer relationships? How do you prepare your child for all these changes to come? Well, NPN is here as a resource. Hear from some of Chicago's best middle schools and high schools on how they support their students during the transition from middle to high school. You will walk away understanding: When to start discussing the transition with your child What social emotional supports schools have in place How to help your child with organization and time management How to be supportive but not overbearing Our Esteemed Panelists are: Elizabeth Jamison - Dunn, Principal, Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School Tami Doig, Head of School, Daystar Academy Martin Moran, Lead Designer Middle and Upper School, Bennett Day School Melanie Ahmad, Director of Enrollment & Tuition Assistance, The Ancona School Alison Melton, Director of Guidance, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor: Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School and we appreciate our Supporting Sponsor: Daystar Academy By registering for this event, you agree that NPN may share your name and email address with our presenting sponsor. This special event is free and open to NPN members and non-members. Future sessions will be free for members and a fee for non-members. Not a NPN member? Join NPN for $30 using promocode NPNschool22 and attend all of our upcoming sessions for free! Thank you to our media partner:

In-person high school fair hosted by Chicago School GPS at the British International School of Chicago. Knowing how to cast your net wide and increase your options is KEY to a successful Chicago high school search. Join Chicago School GPS as we bring together over 35 participating public, private and boarding high schools & resources, each with unique qualities that you may not have known about prior to coming to our Hidden Gems Fair. PLUS, you can meet helpful resource vendors and partake in informative breakout sessions that will give you clarity on the high school process. Join us for an afternoon designed to make your high school journey a successful one! Our invaluable breakout sessions offer insights for Middle School Parents and Students on topics such as: • Navigating the high school admissions process • Entrance test tips & strategies • International Baccalaureate programs demystified • Planning for success in High School & beyond Go here to view our growing list of 2022 schools and businesses. $15/family via online prepaid registration Go here to register. Need based Fee Waivers Available! Pre-Register online by 10/1/22 or pay $25/family at the door. Parking available at Roosevelt Parking garage, 1115 S. Delano Ct. with 2 hour parking validation. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: info@chischoolgps.com or 312.324.4774.

As parents it is hard to imagine our kids as adults, especially if your child is developmentally different. Will they go to college, trade school or get a job? Are there employment opportunities and, if so, what type? Will they be able to live independently? The panelists on this webinar can help you prepare for the many different options for your child so they can live the most fulfilling life possible. PEERS Chicago will discuss their social coaching program for young adults and Urban Autism Solutions will present their residences, transition academy and farm solution program. We will also learn about Elmhurst University's Learning and Success Academy and Anixter Center will discuss their pathway to college and employment programs. Our esteemed panel consists of: Diane Gould, CEO & Owner, PEERS Chicago, Heather Tarczan, Executive Director, Urban Autism Solutions, Tim Ahlberg, Assistant Director of Admissions, Elmhurst University ELSA and Dina Donohue-Chase, Vice President of Growth & Innovation, Anixter Center

Have you noticed a regression in your child—behaviorally, developmentally or socially—since the start of the pandemic? You're far from alone. Join NPN for a webinar on how to detect and manage COVID regression, whether you have a child with special needs or a typically developing child in the crucial development years of 2–5. In this discussion, you will hear from behavioral specialists, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists about the typical signs that your child may be experiencing developmental regression due to the pandemic. You will also learn about the strategies professionals are using, services that are available, and what activities you can do in the home to combat COVID-19 regression. Our esteemed panel consists of: Dr. Shay McManus, Neuropsychologist, Eyas Landing, Dr. Chrisna M. Perry, PhD, Founder & Director, Comprehensive Learning Services, Lorell Marin, Founder, CEO & Therapist, LEEP Forward, Nicole Cissell, Clinical Director, BGF Children's Therapy, and Jason Wetherbee, Director of Clinical Services & Program Development, EB Pediatric Resources We appreciate our Supporting sponsors, Comprehensive Learning Services and LEEP Forward A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Eyas Landing

Have you noticed a regression in your child—behaviorally, developmentally or socially—since the start of the pandemic? You're far from alone. Join NPN for a webinar on how to detect and manage COVID regression, whether you have a child with special needs or a typically developing child in the crucial development years of 2–5. In this discussion, you will hear from behavioral specialists, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists about the typical signs that your child may be experiencing developmental regression due to the pandemic. You will also learn about the strategies professionals are using, services that are available, and what activities you can do in the home to combat COVID-19 regression. Our esteemed panel consists of: Dr. Shay McManus, Neuropsychologist, Eyas Landing Dr. Chrisna M. Perry, PhD, Founder & Director, Comprehensive Learning Services Lorell Marin, Founder, CEO & Therapist, LEEP Forward Nicole Cissell, Clinical Director, BGF Children's Therapy Jason Wetherbee, Director of Clinical Services & Program Development, EB Pediatric Resources Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor, Eyas Landing Thank you to our Supporting Sponsors, Comprehensive Learning Services and LEEP Forward By registering for this event, you agree that NPN may share your name and email address with our presenting sponsors.

As parents it is hard to imagine our kids as adults, especially if your child is developmentally different. Will they go to college, trade school or get a job? Are there employment opportunities and, if so, what type? Will they be able to live independently? The panelists on this webinar can help you prepare for the many different options for your child so they can live the most fulfilling life possible. PEERS Chicago will discuss their social coaching program for young adults and Urban Autism Solutions will present their residences, transition academy and farm solution program. We will also learn about Elmhurst University's Learning and Success Academy and Anixter Center will discuss their pathway to college and employment programs. Our esteemed panel consists of: Diane Gould, CEO and Owner, PEERS Chicago Heather Tarczan, Executive Director, Urban Autism Solutions Tim Ahlberg, Assistant Director of Admissions, Elmhurst University ELSA Dina Donohue-Chase, Vice President of Growth & Innovation, Anixter Center

Do you have a young child and you are thinking about their college career? Or do you have a high schooler and you need to figure out the college application process quickly? Either way, this is the session for you. If you wonder how to determine which colleges are a good fit for your child, where to start in applying for financial aid and scholarships, and how to approach standardized tests like the ACT and SAT, NPN can help. In College Admissions 101, presented by Grace Lee Sawin of Chicago School GPS College Search Guidance, you will learn: -How and where to begin your college search -What colleges look for in an applicant -The timeline for a smooth college application process Recorded February 2022

Do you have a young child and you are thinking about their college career? Or do you have a high schooler and you need to figure out the college application process quickly? Either way, this is the session for you. If you wonder how to determine which colleges are a good fit for your child, where to start in applying for financial aid and scholarships, and how to approach standardized tests like the ACT and SAT, NPN can help. In College Admissions 101, presented by Grace Lee Sawin of Chicago School GPS College Search Guidance, you will learn: -How and where to begin your college search -What colleges look for in an applicant -The timeline for a smooth college application process This event is FREE and exclusive to NPN members only. Join now!

Maybe you have an infant and you are curious about public high schools in Chicago. Maybe you have an older elementary age child and the topic of high school is starting to come up in conversation. Or maybe your baby has morphed into a middle schooler and you suddenly need to figure this high school thing out! Wherever you are coming from, NPN is here to help. In this CPS 301 session, presented by Grace Lee Sawin of Chicago School GPS, you will learn about: - Selective enrollment high schools - Choice programs - How to apply to both - Selection criteria - Managing acceptances, waitlists, and principal discretion You may want to watch CPS 101: Understanding Tiers (available to NPN members only) in preparation for this live session. 
 This event is FREE and exclusive to NPN members only. Join now! Thank you to our media partner: Crain's Chicago Business.

What is the difference between selective enrollment and choice programs? How many different curriculum programs currently exist within CPS high schools? Should I consider an academic center? How has the testing and application process changed? Going beyond the basic information given at our popular CPS 101 and 201 seminars, CPS 301 covers CPS Selective Enrollment High Schools, Choice programs and much more. This CPS 301 session, presented by Grace Lee Sawin of Chicago School GPS, includes: - Information about the different curriculum/programs within CPS High Schools - Guidance on the selective enrollment high school application process - Clarity on the points and selection process - How to manage acceptances, waitlists and principal discretion - Answers to questions from our live audience

On my way home from dropping my oldest daughter at college, I realized that for the first time in 18 years and 66 days, I would not know the intimate details of her life. I didn’t know what she was going to eat for dinner that night or whom she would eat with. I didn’t know what she was going to wear the next day, what kind of mood she would be in, where she was going to go and who she was going to meet. Had she made any new friends yet? Would she be able to fall asleep easily in her new dorm room? I wouldn’t know. Our society often portrays parents as deliriously happy and relieved when their children leave for college. I get that because parenting a teenager is intense: it’s exhausting, terrifying, frustrating, humbling and bewildering. But all summer before she left, I shared with friends that I while I was so excited for her, I was at the same time very sad that she was leaving. In return I would get bemused and sort of confused half-smiles in return, as if they were saying: You’ll see, it will be great. [Related: What if I put my parenting experience on my resume?] Parts of it are great. I have three other daughters, so one less person in the house has given me additional time and mental space. And there are parts of parenting a teenager that I don’t miss (like wondering what time she will be home on a weekend night). My daughter is thriving in college — she’s loving her new school, new friends, new freedom and life. She’s the happiest she’s ever been, and I’m so proud of how she’s adjusted and run headlong with open arms into this next phase. All of that brings me intense joy, relief, pride and peace. But there is loss and grief too. There’s a pain point that you have as a parent that only gets activated by your relationship to your child. You know the pain point I’m talking about: the one that doubles you over, knocks the wind out of you, bruises your soul. My parental pain point is sore and aching. I’m grieving that the 18 years and 66 days I had of knowing the intimate details of my daughter’s life are over. I always knew that this time was a finite gift and a privilege. In her young life (particularly from ages 3-5) I never thought this time would end. But it did. And I miss her. I really, really miss her. [Related: Preparing for your child's first overnight summer camp] When looking back over these 18 years and 66 days, I’ve thought that parenting is really a cruel trajectory. At the beginning of your relationship with your child, you cannot leave them unattended for a second: their life literally depends on you. Slowly your relationship becomes less and less intense so that eventually you’re just sending heart emojis to show you love them. It seems like a sick joke. But with every ending, there’s also a beginning. The last time that my daughter wasn’t part of my day-to-day life, I was 28. Who am I now at 47? What will I do with the extra mental space and time that is not filled by my daughter? I’ll admit that I’ve been watching a lot of episodes of Sex and the City, just like I did at age 28 (although seeing it through a very different lens now — wow), and maybe I’ve been doing that to connect with my younger self. I know that eventually I’ll answer the “What am I going to do?” question, but first I’m going to allow myself to grieve. Parenting is always a mix of intense emotions at the same time, so there’s comfort in knowing that at least that part hasn’t changed.

Many teenagers are exploring and evaluating what is next for them after high school. For many, this will include determining what colleges to apply to and where to enroll. This session will provide parents a framework on how to help their children figure out which path is the right one for them, what questions they should consider when choosing a college, and how to support them during the application process. RSVP required. Please go here to register. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: amber.guenther@smartlovefamily.org

Join Chicago School GPS as they bring together over 35 participating schools, each with unique qualities that you may not have known about prior to coming to the Hidden Gems Fair. PLUS, you can meet helpful resource vendors and partake in informative breakout sessions that will give you clarity on the high school process. Join Chicago School GPS for an afternoon designed to make your high school journey a successful one! Program begins at 1pm with high schools showcasing what makes them unique, and breakout sessions begin at 2:00pm. Fair ends at 4pm. The invaluable breakout sessions offer insights for Middle School Parents and Students on topics such as: ~ Navigating the private & public high school admissions process ~ High School Entrance Exam Insights (includes SEHS, HSPT & ISEE) ~ Private school scholarship opportunities & resources ~ International Baccalaureate Programs Demystified ~ Executive Functioning Strategies Registration is now open! Please go here to register. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: info@chischoolgps.com