Well Life Series

We believe education is a lifelong journey that extends far beyond the traditional classroom.

Well Life Series

Join us for a special series of events curated just for parents and caregivers, and designed to help you live well. All events are free and open to the Wellington and Columbus communities. 

Clinical psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair will visit campus January 24, 2024, to discuss digital well-being.

Well Life Series Events

Wellington Futurist Symposium: Tomorrow’s World for Today’s Student 

October 18, 6-8 p.m. 

Tomorrow’s world is unknown, so how do we prepare students for career paths that don’t yet exist? Join us for the inaugural Wellington Futurist Symposium – an evening of energizing discussion and collaboration with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and education experts about emerging skill sets and trends in higher education, technology, the workplace, and beyond.  

Keynote: Dr. David Staley, professor of history, design, and educational studies at The Ohio State University 

Panel Discussion: Entrepreneurs & Innovators  

Rehgan Avon, AlignAI co-founder and CEO 

Matt Scantland, AndHealth founder and CEO 

Ben Sloneker ’15, WalterPicks co-founder 

Panel Discussion: Considerations for Education 

Dr. Melissa Shivers, vice president of student affairs at The Ohio State University 

Dr. Brandon Sullivan, director of innovative programs at The Wellington School 

Register here

Book Club: “The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents” by Lisa Damour 

November 15, 6:30 p.m.

Innovation Space (C111)

Join Head of Upper School Rishi Raghunathan and Head of Middle School Louis Frank for an interactive discussion about clinical psychologist Lisa Damour’s latest book, filled with concrete, practical information parents and caregivers need to steady their teens through the bumpy yet transformational journey into adulthood. While discussions may be most relevant to parents and caregivers of tweens and teens, all are welcome.

Register here Buy a book from the Sokol Store

Digital Well-being with Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair

January 24, 6:30 p.m.

Blanchard Performing Arts Center

Students will need both technological skills and social and emotional competencies to navigate the interconnected world of the future. Join clinical psychologist and author Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair to learn strategies for tech health and well-being. 

Register Here

All Things Wellington

February 22, 6:30 p.m.

Blanchard Performing Arts Center

Join us for Wellington’s signature event  – an inspiring night of video storytelling and live performances that celebrate the making of the Wellington experience. 

Reserve your seat

The Importance of Letting Your Child Struggle

April 16, 6:30 p.m.

Blanchard Performing Arts Center 

As parents and caregivers, we want to help our children thrive. But removing all obstacles can undermine their development. Join psychotherapists from Gestalt Columbus to learn how to support children through times of academic and socio-emotional struggle. 

Register Here

ISACS Parent Webinar Series

Thursday, September 28, 7:30 p.m.

Voice Lessons for Parents & Caregivers: What to Say, When to Say It & How to Listen
Wendy Mogel, Clinical Psychologist & Author

Most parents are adept and savvy communicators, even when mild tensions arise in relationships—until they’re talking to their children. Addressing this growing challenge for families, Dr. Mogel developed a series of specific “voice lessons” for parents. Using humor and act outs she’ll share how a shift in vocal style, verbal content and timing will lead children to listen more attentively, communicate with more enthusiasm, respect, and sincerity and cooperate with more alacrity. She’ll reveal how each age and stage of a child’s life brings novel opportunities to connect. And the heartening news is that parents can model and teach the foundational skills of communication starting at birth…or anytime beyond. Participants will leave with specific skills and strategies to use with children of diverse temperaments and across the span of childhood and adolescence. A recorded version will be shared in school communications and will be available until December 31, 2023. 

Thursday, November 30, 7:30 p.m.

How to Raise a Self-driven Child
Ned Johnson, PrepMatters & Author

Join author and expert Ned Johnson to learn why fostering a healthy sense of control is so important for children's intrinsic motivation, success, mental health, and happiness. Parents and caregivers will learn how to pivot from manager to parent consultant, how to be a non-anxious presence and will leave with effective strategies to use with children raging in age from tots to teens.

Register here

Wednesday, January 17, 7:30 p.m.

A Tour Through Your Child's Brain: Development, Technology & Learning
Jared Cooney Horvath, Neuroscientist, Author & Educator

From birth to adulthood, our children undergo many changes which can impact their behavior, cognition, and emotions. During this webinar, we will journey through the developing brain and track how it changes across the lifespan (with a special look at the teenage years). Participants will gain a better understanding of why our children act as they do and consider concrete ways to support them cognitively and behaviorally at home. We will explore the impact of technology on development and learning and we’ll learn three principles of learning to support our children as they study and learn at home. This webinar is for school-aged children, grades 1-12.

Register here

Tuesday, February 13, 7:30 p.m.

Talking to Youth About Heated Topics
Rosetta Lee, Seattle Girls’ School

Young people bear witness to challenging or traumatic events in current events, media, and our local communities. They are often trying to process thoughts, feelings, and reactions without our explicit help and guidance–thereby increasing their confusion and anxiety. We adults have a natural instinct to protect our children from harsh realities while also preparing them to navigate this complex world–is it possible to do both? What are ways to talk about identity, difference, and justice in age-appropriate ways? How do you reinforce your family's values without instilling disrespect for other perspectives? How do you coach them toward authentic and respectful dialogue across difference? Engage in these questions and more. There will be time for Q&A. This webinar will focus on grade K-8 but will be applicable to all.

Register here

Tuesday, March 5, 7:30 p.m.

Growing Up in Public: Milestones of Growing Up in the Digital Age
Devorah Heitner, Author & Consultant

How can we help our children navigate coming of age in a world where nearly every moment of their lives can be shared and compared? How can we help them navigate all the firsts? First Roblox playdate? First social media account? First phone? We can track our children's every move with apps, see their grades within minutes of them being posted, and fixate on their digital footprint, anxious that a misstep could cause them to be ostracized or even jeopardize their admission to college. How can they figure out who they really are with zero privacy and constant judgment? Heitner shows us that mentoring and not just monitoring kids will help us understand and support our kids, building our relationships with them, AND helping them be successful in digital spaces. This webinar is for parents and caregivers of elementary through high school children.

Register here

Monday, April 15, 7:30 p.m.

Raising Resilient Children
Sheri Glucoft Wong, Family Therapist & Author & Olaf “Ole” Jorgenson, Author & Educator  

The messages parents give their kids in everyday interactions shape their children’s confidence and resilience. Parents often underestimate how patterns of homelife influence the ways their children handle the challenges that come their way–both big and small. The exchanges you have, routines you establish, and values you convey in your everyday parenting offer daily opportunities to support children’s self-assurance and confidence. By recognizing those moments and making the most of them, you help your kids build resilience. This webinar based on the authors’ new book–Raising Kids: Your Essential Guide to Everyday Parenting–will provide tools for parents with children of all ages (it’s never too late!) to help them more effectively manage disappointment and limits, develop self-esteem, and navigate their social world. There will be time for Q&A. 

Register here