Speaking Events

Sergeant Thomas Rich, cybersafety expert, spoke to GSB parents and students (grades four through 12) in Brueckner Hall on February 10. He began the day with a morning session for parents, and then had three separate student sessions, and concluded with an additional evening session for parents. The presentation was well attended and very informative.

Actor, psychologist and poet Dr. Michael Fowlin—sponsored by both the Middle School and Gill St. Bernard’s School Parents’ Association—addressed issues of equity, identity, anti-bullying and empathy. A repeat visitor to GSB since 2008, Dr. Fowlin has provided peer mediation, diversity training, gender equality workshops and violence prevention seminars to people of all ages for nearly 20 years. He holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and a B.S. in psychology from Evangel University in Springfield, Mo.

The GSB Parents’ Association held presentations with family physician, author and development specialist Dr. Leonard Sax who discussed how, over time, the transfer of authority has moved from parent to child. According to data, this can be harmful to a young person’s success. Dr. Sax holds a Ph.D. in psychology as well as an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His topic, Who’s in Charge Here?: Why and When Letting Kids Decide is Not the Best Strategy, challenges the practice of letting one’s child lead, and present an alternative perspective supported by evidence.

The Middle School welcomed yoga instructor, columnist and modern mentor Maggie DiPasquale. DiPasquale is a graduate of Boston College who specializes in helping young girls understand the connection between their minds, bodies and spirits. Her talk, How to Raise Happy Kids, was open to parents of all genders across Gill’s three academic divisions. DiPasquale also met individually with GSB’s seventh and eighth grade girls.