As we look to the 2025-26 school year, District 35 is excited to be offering the Let Grow Play Club as an option at both South and West. In this episode, Dr. Wang speaks with Megan Hebert, Let Grow’s school program director. During our conversation, we will discuss:

• The foundations of the Let Grow organization
• The way in which the clubs are structured
• Ways parents can complement the Let Grow approach at home

Interested in learning more? 

• Check out the Let Grow website
• Let Grow Home Independence Toolkit

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In this episode, Dr. Wang speaks with Sarah Ward, a nationally revered professional in the area of executive functioning. During our conversation, we will discuss:

• The reasons we are seeing an increase in executive functioning challenges, among children and adults
• Ways in which we can support our children at home and at school
• Special considerations as we think about setting up routines and structures in our classrooms and homes

Interested in learning more? 

Check out Sarah Ward’s website at www.efpractice.com

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In this episode, Dr. Wang speaks with West School principal Ben Baird about the 4th Grade Boundless Adventures field trip. During our conversation, we will discuss:

• The origin of the field trip
• The types of activities our students experience on the field trip
• The value of the field trip as the students conclude their 4th grade experience at West and prepare to transition to 5th grade at Central

Interested in learning more? 

Check out the Boundless Adventures website

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In this episode, Dr. Wang speaks with Dr. Doug Bolton about the ideas presented in his new book, Untethered. During their conversation, they will discuss:

• The role of attachment in healthy development
• The importance of learning to regulate emotions
• The power of repair

Interested in learning more? 

• Take a look at the book, Untethered
• Listen to Dr. Bolton’s interview with Lisa Damour from the April Family Action Network event.
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In this episode, Dr. Wang speaks with Megan Michna, South’s Multilingual Learner Teacher and member of the District Belonging Committee. 

• During our conversation, we will discuss:
• A behind the scenes look at our Family Belonging Event
• The variety of cultures represented within our D35 schools
• The strengths that our multilingual learners bring to our school community

Interested in learning more? 

• Superhero Video
• Book list
• TedTalk- The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain
• View pictures of the Being Bilingual is a Superpower Bulletin Board

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In this episode, Dr. Wang speaks with members of the D35 leadership team regarding learnings coming out of recent D35 parent engagement events and ways we can empower our children to be more independent. During our conversation, we will discuss:

• New approaches community parents shared on ways they are promoting skill-building with their children
• Shifts we are making in our schools to enhance free play and agency
• Suggestions from each of our building principals on ways in which we can encourage independence at home

Interested in learning more? 

• Supporting Our Youth with Healthy Technology Habits
• Screen Sanity website
• Research from The Anxious Generation

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D35 On the Go, Episode #25: PTO Spotlight: Enhancing Education Beyond the Classroom

In this episode, Dr. Wang speaks with Lauren Kase, one of our PTO co-presidents, and Sarah Elsasser,​​​​​​​​ Chair of The Power of Partnership 2025 Appeal. During our conversation, we will discuss:

• The role of the PTO in D35
• Examples of opportunities the PTO funds
• How you can get involved with and support the PTO

Interested in learning more? Visit https://glencoepto.membershiptoolkit.com/

Contribute to the PTO Annual Appeal here.

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In this episode, we speak with Jennifer Miller, a highly revered parenting expert. Jennifer has been a regular contributor to NBC Education Nation’s parent toolkit and has contributed articles and interviews to publications such as The Washington Post, Parent Magazine, and the Huffington Post. She has a masters degree with a focus on social and emotional development from University of Illinois Chicago. She is also an author…her book Confident Parents, Confident Kids is available in stores and she is in the process of writing her second book.

During this conversation, you will learn more about:

• Jennifer’s work with parents, children, and educators.
• The structure of her family newsletter that will be available for all D35 families
• How to start the year fresh in your family 

Interested in learning more? Take a moment to listen to the webinar we hosted, during which Jennifer already begins to share some valuable parenting tips!

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• Central’s integrated arts offerings
• How the arts add to our students’ experience in D35
• Experiences your children can look forward to in these programs

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In this episode, we are joined by Amy Holaday, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, who is also a leader in our work with instructional technology. During our conversation, we will discuss:

• Our philosophy about instructional technology in the district
• The work we are doing as a district to ensure intentional and purposeful use of technology in classrooms
• Our tech practices in D35 and their connection to Jonathan Haidt’s call to action for schools in The Anxious Generation

Resources: 

• Away for the Day parent letter

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