On Saturday of Family Weekend, Director of Student Development Nicole Weyer presented a seminar on "How Brewster Tackles Teen Topics." Parents who attended learned about how Brewster adults are creating a dialog in the community concerning issues such as health and wellness, sexuality, drugs and alcohol, changes in technology, and decision making. Throughout the year, these topics are discussed with students in age appropriate settings. Freshmen participate in three day-long retreats while sophomores and juniors select from a list of workshops with an expectation that they attend at least five during the year. Seniors and postgraduates participate in weekly senior seminars in the fall and spring trimesters.

During her presentation, Weyer recommended a number of books to help parents navigate the often murky waters of adolescent development. She also offered a number of web sites regarding keeping kids safe on the Internet. And, as promised, here's that list:

Teenagers in General:

The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality by Michael J. Basso
Life Strategies for Teens by Jay McGraw
Life Strategies for Teens Workbook by Jay Mc Graw
Driven to Distraction by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey
Learning to Learn by Carolyn Olivier & Rosemary Bowler
Parents, Teens and Boundaries: How to Draw the Line by Jane Bluestein

Boys:

Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson
Speaking of Boys: Answers to the Most-Asked Questions About Raising Sons by Michael Thompson and Teresa Barker
The Good Son: Shaping the Moral Development of Our Boys and Young Men by Michael Gurian
From Boys to Men: All About Adolescence and You by Michael Gurian
The Teenage Guy’s Survival Guide: The Real Deal on Girls, Growing up, and Other Guy Stuff by Jeremy Daldry
Our Boys Speak: Adolescent Boys Write About Their Inner Lives by John Nikkah

Girls:

Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls by Mary Pipher
Ophelia Speaks: Adolescent Girls Write About Their Search for Self by Sara Shandler
Ophelia's Mom: Women Speak Out About Loving and Letting Go of Their Adolescent Daughters by Nina Shandler
The Wonder of Girls: Understanding the Hidden Nature of Our Daughters by Michael Gurian
Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls by Rachel Simmons

Internet Safety and Technology:

http://www.wiredsafety.org/

http://www.safekids.com/

http://www.isafe.org/

http://www.cybertipline.org/

http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm