An arm of the Parents Council, the Family Network promotes communication and the exchange of ideas on adolescence and parenting. The intent is to provide forums for discussion so relationships may be built or strengthened among parents and between parents and their teenagers. Accordingly, Family Network programs focus on family relationships, teen development, peer and academic pressures, substance abuse and topics suggested by the Administration.

CO-CHAIRS
Cathy Herman 
Lori O'Brien

FAMILY NETWORK COMMITTEE MEETINGS
May 15, 2013 (CCR, 8:30-10:30 am)

UPCOMING BROWN BAGS AND COFFEE CONNECTIONS

May 3, HHCR, lunchtime (exact time TBD)
8th Grade Brown Bag: "Transitioning to 9th Grade," led by Macon Finley, Scott Deken and Jennifer Jones.

May 10, CCR, 8:30 - 10:00 am
7th Grade Brown Bag: "Transitioning to 8th Grade," led by Macon Finley and Prue Gershman.

FAMILY NETWORK SUBCOMMITTEES INCLUDE

• The New Parent Mentor Program pairs families new to JBS with a current family to ease the transition to a new school, help them feel welcome and comfortable and address questions about how things work at JBS. For more information contact co-chairs Beth Campbell-Blethroad  and Lee Bascom.

• Brown Bags/Coffee Connections are casual meetings organized for each grade level and held over lunch or in the morning. They feature guest speakers who discuss age-appropriate topics and allow parents the opportunity to meet and talk with other parents from their child’s grade. For more information, contact the grade chairs Cheryl Bartnett and Margaret Duncan  for seventh grade, Mamatha Shetty and Mary Perry for eighth grade, Laura Kinsell-Baer and Tracey O'Brien for ninth grade, Jane Neidhardt and Patricia Haselhorst  for tenth grade, Erika Sandiford and Beth Campbell-Blethroad for eleventh grade, and Cathy Brown and Isabel Brandt for twelfth grade.

• Book Club provides informal discussions led by parents, teachers and staff on a variety of books including parenting issues, diversity, values, and works of literature. For the specific book titles and dates of discussion, refer to the book club schedule or contact the Faculty-Led Book Club co-chairs Nina Miller and Marni Dillard or the Parenting Book Club chair Jen Gafford .  Family Network also offers a collection of books, tapes, and videos on a wide range of parenting topics. These are available in the Family Network section of the library.

• Parent to Parent addresses issues of family and community concern relating to our children's social lives, and has sought the perspectives of both parents and students with regard to issues of substance use / abuse.  This committee provides relevant information to parents at all grade levels. For more information, contact co-chair Laurie Bellistri.

• Sophomore, Junior and Senior Health Days  For more information, contact Sheila Stegeman for tenth grade, Carie Kennedy and Alison Goate  for eleventh grade, and Cheryl Bartnett and Lyn Grace for twelfth grade.