Forest Park Education Summit 2026
FORMING NEW CONNECTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY!
Overview
The D91 Family and Community Engagement ensemble is proud to host its 3rd annual education summit: Education is the Key: Opening Doors for Stronger School-Home Partnerships. Attendees will be able to experience a keynote speaker, breakout sessions and hands on experiences that empower caregivers as they support their youth.
Primary goals or purposes of the educational summit are to:
Offer an opportunity for families to learn from experts in the field of education and child/youth development.
Create opportunities for attendees to exchange ideas, experiences and build connections to better support their children.
Connect families and caregivers to community resources and organizations that may benefit their families both educationally and social-emotionally.
Attendees will leave equipped with strategies and resources to positively impact their families in their everyday lives.
Workshops Offerings
Session # 1: 10:00am-11:00am
Workshop Name | Presenter | Audience | Description | Room |
Strategies for Understanding and Supporting Neurodivergent Multilingual Learners | Two Sisters Childcare - Contessa Brady | Parents/Caregivers and Educators | This session focuses on evidence-based strategies to improve academic performance and social integration for neurodivergent multilingual learners. We will emphasize the integration of culturally responsive pedagogy and the development of individualized education plans (IEPs), highlighting the essential collaboration between ESL and Special Education professionals in addressing the complexities of language acquisition and diverse cognitive profiles. | 128 |
Supporting Kids Through Change: Tools for Today’s Families | Moms Winning - Cynthia Alfaro | Parents/Caregivers | This interactive workshop supports caregivers in navigating transitions that impact children’s emotional, academic, and social well-being. Participants will explore practical tools for helping children cope with change at home and school, including routines, communication strategies, and emotional regulation techniques. Drawing from real-life parenting experiences and evidence-informed practices, this session centers caregivers as partners in their child’s success. The workshop creates space for reflection, discussion, and shared learning. Families will leave with actionable strategies they can use immediately. | Library |
Parents' Introduction to Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Middle School | Oak Park Our Whole Lives - Cari Hipes | Parents/Caregivers | In this workshop, sex ed facilitators share their experiences working with youth. We introduce common terms in gender identity and sexual orientation, and how those can show up in middle school. Parents will learn about common concerns and questions about sexuality that come up at this age and will get advice and suggestions for having conversations on these topics at home. | 122 |
Using Museum Resources to Learn at Home! | Field Museum - Kimberly Mendoza | Parents/Caregiver, Educators, Community Members | We will take time to move through three museum resources that can be accessed at home: our digital 360 exhibition tours, a Harris Learning Collection toolkit or specimen, and a Science Hub at home lesson (like tracking animals). | STEAM Lab |
Experience the Problem Based Instruction through Imagine IM Math Curriculum | Forest Park School District 91 - Dan McElligott | Parents/Caregivers | This workshop will give an overview of what problem based learning in mathematics is. You will experience problem based math activities similar to what your students may be doing in today's math classroom. This session will also address parents who are looking for ways to support their kids at home. | 271 |
Session # 2: 11:15am-12:15pm
Workshop | Presenter | Audience | Description | Room |
Nature in Our Neighborhood: Outdoor Activities Close to Home | The Morton Arboretum - Megan Kuhl-Horbin and Jesaida Gonzalez | Parents/Caregivers | This workshop will present parents and caregivers with family friendly ways to connect with surrounding nature in their neighborhoods. Participants will learn about the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of nature exploration. They will leave with ideas and resources for adults and children to explore the nature near them together. | STEAM Lab |
Empowering Black Boys K-8 Grade Through Identity, Leadership, and Readiness | FECG L.L.C - Sean A. Fisher, Sr. and Horace E. Stone, Jr. | Educators | This workshop uplifts and empowers Black boys by equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to thrive personally, academically, and socially. Grounded in culturally relevant and restorative practices, it provides a safe, inclusive space for self-reflection, emotional growth, and authentic expression. Students build resilience, set meaningful goals, and develop leadership and communication skills through guided activities and restorative circles. College and career readiness components help them plan for futures in higher education, trades, or entrepreneurship with confidence and purpose. Ultimately, the program fosters confident, responsible, and community-minded young Black men prepared to lead with integrity and vision. | 122 |
Growing Readers Together: Literacy Shifts That Strengthen Our Community | Forest Park School District 91 - Jennifer Uhlmann | Parents/Caregivers | This interactive session explores how children learn to read and highlights the literacy shifts happening in D91 classrooms grounded in the Science of Reading. Families and caregivers will gain insight into the research behind our instructional practices and learn practical ways to support reading development at home. Together, we will strengthen the partnership between school and home to build confident, lifelong readers. | Library |
How to help ADHD & Autistic Children (and ourselves) with Emotional Regulation | Joyful Parenting LLC - Amanda Tollberg | Parents/Caregivers | Amanda Tollberg, a local mom, child & adult therapist, and parenting coach will provide an engaging thought-provoking presentation about neuro-affirming approaches to caring for and working with neurodivergent children. Amanda identifies as an Autistic & ADHD adult parenting neurodivergent children. She specializes in working with neurodivergent children and their parents on emotional regulation in her play therapy practice and is passionate about advocacy in this area. She is excited to spread the word about a simple, yet powerful way of understanding and interacting with kids whose brains work differently. | 128 |
How College Could Be Free For Your Child | Forest Park School District 91 - Robbert Hubbard | Parents/Caregivers | Learn how to find financial assistance to cover the cost of higher education | 271 |
Resources Fair
Organization Name | Focus | Description | Website |
Collaboration for Early Childhood | Specialized Family Services (prevention education, advocacy, resource connections) | The Collaboration for Early Childhood is a community-driven organization that cultivates the development of the whole child, birth to age five, by engaging families, local organizations, early childhood educators, caregivers, and health providers to create equitable, nurturing, and interconnected systems of support. | |
Dynamic Lynks | Mental Health (services & methodologies for any age), Youth Enrichment (academic, extracurricular/clubs, sports, summer programming) | Dynamic Lynks is a music therapy center, using music and movement to facilitate skill development in individuals of all ages through inclusive and affirming client-centered strategies. We provide individual and group music therapy sessions in our clinic, across Chicago area schools, and in tandem with community partnerships. Dynamic Lynks emphasizes client education and support through our comprehensive sessions and groups. | |
Forest Park PTO | D91 Families | The Forest Park PTO helps connect families, staff, and schools through events, fundraisers, and appreciation efforts that enrich the student experience across D91. | |
Forest Park Public Library | Specialized Family Services (prevention education, advocacy, resource connections), Youth Enrichment (academic, extracurricular/clubs, sports, summer programming) | Free resources: books, kits, technology, and a variety of other media, educational and entertaining programs for all ages, support for lifelong learning, literacy, and STEAM subjects, incentivized reading programs, etc. | |
Howard Mohr Community Center | Youth Enrichment (academic, extracurricular/clubs, sports, summer programming), Government or Municipality Entity | Before and After school care, resources for those in need of food assistance, housing and general information about the community. | |
Legacy Sports | Youth Enrichment (academic, extracurricular/clubs, sports, summer programming) | Established in 2008, Legacy Sports provides after-school programs, summer camps, instructional training, and leagues. Our goal is to educate our participants on proper technique in individual and team settings. We believe that character has an important impact on young athletes and we instill these positive character traits in all of our programs. While doing this we provide a fun, safe, challenging, and high energy atmosphere in all of our programs. | |
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum | Youth Enrichment (academic, extracurricular/clubs, sports, summer programming) | The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences serves a unique role in the city of Chicago connecting people of all ages to nature and science. The Nature Museum’s education programs reach over 400 classrooms and 150 schools each year with locally relevant science by leveraging the museum’s current, real-world science—including preserved specimens, live animals, and our scientists’ conservation work. | |
Scouting America Troop 4107 Forest Park | Youth Enrichment (academic, extracurricular/clubs, sports, summer programming) | Scouting America's unique programs focused on character development, leadership and outdoor exploration provide a lifetime of benefits. | |
The Collaboration for Early Childhood | Specialized Family Services (prevention education, advocacy, resource connections) | The Collaboration for Early Childhood is a community-driven organization that cultivates the development of the whole child, birth to age five, by engaging families, local organizations, early childhood educators, caregivers, and health providers to create equitable, nurturing, and interconnected systems of support. | |
The Fisher Educational Consulting Group (FECG) | Specialized Family Services (prevention education, advocacy, resource connections), Youth Enrichment (academic, extracurricular/clubs, sports, summer programming), Education Entities (high schools, transition services) | The Fisher Educational Consulting Group, also known as SEAN A. FISHER SENIOR AND EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATES CONSULTING FIRM, L.L.C., is a US Veteran-Owned firm that extends its expertise globally. Specializing in (pre)K-12 education, the firm is dedicated to delivering high-quality, job-embedded technical support and training. Our services cater to school districts, individual schools, and professionals such as new teachers, aspiring teacher-leaders, and school administrators. We also offer guidance to department heads, provide school mediation services, advocate for students, and implement restorative practices. Our support extends to assistant principals and deans of students, ensuring comprehensive educational development and leadership training. | https://the-fisher-educational-consulting-group-242313698.hubspotpagebuilder.net/home-1 |
The Loft at 8 Corners | Mental Health (services & methodologies for any age) | The Loft at 8 Corners provides free mental health support on a walk-in basis for teens and tweens ages 12+ in seventh-twelfth grade as well as parent support. | |
The Morton Arboretum | |||
Turtortastic | Specialized Family Services (prevention education, advocacy, resource connections), Youth Enrichment (academic, extracurricular/clubs, sports, summer programming) | At tutortastic, we provide education assistance to underpriviledged yourth in the Chicago area, specifically targeting k-8 and working to expand our services to grades 9-12. | |
University of Illinois Extension Youth Development | Youth Enrichment (academic, extracurricular/clubs, sports, summer programming) | 4-H Youth Development is a volunteer-led project-based program that helps young people (typically ages 5–19) learn by doing — building leadership, citizenship, and life skills through hands-on projects and community involvement. 4-H helps youth develop skills in areas such as STEM, Healthy Living, Nutrition, Civic Engagement, Leadership, Arts, and Communication. When starting a 4-H Chapter (Club), there are many options: School Clubs, Community Clubs, and Family Clubs. No expertise is needed to become a 4-H leader; all that is needed is a caring adult. | |
Urban Wellness | |||
West 40 | Education Entities (high schools, transition services) | West 40 Intermediate Service Center partners with local school districts to support students, families, and educators across West Suburban Cook County. We provide student support services, educational programs, and family resources. We serve youth from early childhood through high school and share information and support to keep families connected throughout the school year and summer. |