Parent Resources & Education

Parent Education

Each school year kicks off with a dynamic presentation for parents hosted by our School Counselor and Division Principal. This engaging session dives into the developmental milestones for each grade level, offering insights into how parents can best support their child’s journey. Parents explore key topics such as fostering inclusivity, navigating playdates, and managing technology, while collaborating with school leaders on strategies to ensure a successful year.

For our Middle School families, we offer grade-specific Parent Orientations at the start of the school year. These tailored sessions cover important school policies, technology guidelines, as well as highlights and special events for the upcoming year in each of the Middle School grades. It’s the perfect opportunity for parents to get a head start on the year and ensure they’re equipped to support their child’s success. 

At St. Matthew’s, we are committed to empowering parents with knowledge and resources that help foster a supportive home environment. We aim to provide our parents with valuable insights through engaging speakers who tackle relevant topics, from navigating social media and understanding the significance of play to addressing mental health. 

St. Matthew’s Parish School has partnered with the School Speaker Alliance of LA (SSALA), an organization that provides engaging and enlightening speakers to the broader Los Angeles independent school parent community. 

Dr. Jonathan Haidt – the author of New York Times best seller The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion. Dr. Haidt is known for laying out data-driven facts on the public health emergency facing our children today.

Dr. Lisa Damour – Dr. Damour has authored three New York Times best sellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers. Dr. Damour speaks on a wide range of topics including stress, anxiety, well-being, parenting, education, and child and adolescent development.

Lindsay Astor Grant – is a licensed pediatric occupational therapist and an expert on Executive Function. Lindsay offers actionable strategies for supporting your child’s executive function skills, a critical skill for success both at home and in school, helping students with organization, time management, and problem-solving abilities.

Dr. Aliza Pressman – is a developmental psychologist with nearly two decades working with families. Dr. Pressman is the author of the New York Times bestseller The 5 Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans. Dr. Pressman shares practical, research-backed strategies for aligning your parenting approach with your family’s values and your children’s unique temperaments, helping parents make informed decisions that support their child’s growth and well-being.

Kirsten Jones – division 1 athlete, executive, motivational speaker, and author of Raising Empowered Athletes: A Parent Guide for Raising Happy, Brave and Resilient Kids. Kirsten explores the origins of today’s hyper-competitive sports culture, how to ensure your child’s earliest sports experiences are positive, the role of club and travel teams, best practices for family conversations and goal-setting, and strategies for managing the transition to high school sports.