During the pandemic, JumpSpark, Atlanta’s Jewish teen initiative, started a program to help parents of teens prepare for the transition from high school to college. On February 1st at 7 pm at Temple Sinai, they’re hosting an event for the parents of 7th-9th graders called Navigating Parenthood: Transitioning to High School.
The leap from middle to high school is a major one. Parents often wonder, “What will my child’s journey in high school be like? How will their Jewish identity fit into the puzzle? How can I support them?” This event is a chance for parents to learn from experts and connect with other families who are in the same stage of life.
Jenn Caplovitz is on the host committee for this event. She has two sets of twins: one pair is in 8th grade, and the younger duo is in 6th. As the first of her kids prepare for high school, she is eager to learn more about this major life transition.
“High school is scary these days—it’s competitive, it’s much more intense than it was when I was a kid.” She says that through her network and through social media, she notices these differences. “Teenagers are drinking earlier, partying earlier; their workload and expectations are very different, there’s more pressure on kids to do well.”
Social media is a major life complication for teens, and it’s one most parents did not grow-up with. Jenn says, “It affects them both positively and negatively. Girls and boys experience pressure from what they see online—it’s not just magazine covers anymore. It comes from Tik Tok and Instagram. It’s a different experience than we had.”
Navigating Parenthood: Transitioning to High School will feature experts who will give parents tools to support their teens on the topics of emotional well-being, academic success, learning differences, and Jewish engagement. Parents will have the option to attend breakout sessions led by Judy Wolman, Ph.D., of Sandy Springs Psychological Center, P.C; Carrie Poline, D.O., FAPA, CEDS, double-board certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist; and Jed Applerouth, Ph.D., certified counselor and Founder & President of Applerouth Tutoring, and Marisa Kaiser, Charles S. Ackerman Senior Director of Learning & Engagement at Temple Sinai Atlanta.
Jenn was already looking forward to the event, and then she found out who the speakers were. She is excited to learn from these experts and draw on their experience. “You can go into high school blind, or you can go in with knowledge. The more resources you have for your kid, the better.”
Click here to register for this engaging and informative night!
