Welcome back for an evening of learning, connection, and empowerment at Virtual ParentCamp! Engage in meaningful conversations, share success stories, and strengthen your community—all from the comfort of home.Join us for Virtual ParentCamp on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT/ 6 pm MT/ 5 pm PT!
As always, we use Mighty Networks to safely connect with our parents and community. This space is for you to use to connect and share with our community nationwide and globally. Share with me your summer adventures and what you are looking forward to for this school year!
Register for Virtual ParentCamp on Mighty Networks, where you will find the Zoom link to join. We hope you are enjoying it as much as we are!
Register at: https://bit.ly/ThomasEdison or you can register via Zoom at: https://tinyurl.com/vpc-dec-2025
You will be prompted to create an account on Mighty Networks when you register. Consider joining the Virtual ParentCamp space on Mighty Networks to stay connected to those you have met to keep conversations going.
Virtual ParentCamp Community on Mighty Networks
If you have issues registering on Mighty Networks, please complete this form and we will send you an invitation directly from Mighty Networks.
Room 1 Raising Digitally Happy Kids
Facilitator John Schmidt – Director of Youth Prevention Services – Delaware Council on Gambling Problems (@DEGamblingProbl)
Join John as we discuss the digital world and its effects on the health and wellbeing of our children.
John Schmidt, BS, CPRS, is currently the Director of Youth Prevention Services for the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems, conducting presentations at middle and high schools throughout Delaware to inform students of disordered gambling and its connection to the gambling mechanisms within video games and smartphones. John is a certified tech addictions expert and is a youth mental health specialist, clinically trained in the area of disordered gaming. He also earned his certification in Studies in Gambling Addiction through the University of Minnesota Duluth, and conducts annual research in partnership with the University of Delaware in the area of gambling, video gaming, and smartphone behaviors with Delaware middle and high school students via in-depth surveys.
As a member of the Criminal Justice Board for the Council and a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, John relies on his lived experience and his professional training to also conduct presentations in juvenile correctional facilities throughout Delaware while also assisting in conducting bi-annual trainings with Delaware State Police cadets. John is passionate about successful community reentry and brings his invaluable experiences with addiction and recovery into every area of his life.
Room 2 Every Child Needs a Champion: Simple Ways We Help Kids Shine
Facilitator Principal El, Thomas Edison Charter School (@Principal_El)
Join Principal EL to explore practical ways parents and educators can encourage every child, help them build confidence, and provide the support they need to shine at school and at home.
Principal EL has been an educator and school leader since 1987, earning national recognition as both a teacher and award-winning chess coach of Eight-Time National Chess Champions. He currently serves as Thomas Edison Charter School principal in Wilmington, Delaware and speaks to audiences around the world on leadership, resilience, and the power of mentorship.
A regular contributor to The Dr. Oz Show, Principal EL is the best-selling author of I Choose to Stay (movie rights optioned by Disney Films), The Immortality of Influence, and co-author of Passionate Leadership, Building a Winning Team, and Retention for Change. He has inspired over 100,000 educators, families, and community members across the U.S. and internationally, and has been featured on C-SPAN, CNN, NPR, Good Morning America, and The Oprah Radio Network.Principal EL holds a doctorate in Education from Wilmington University and has studied at Cambridge University in England and Lehigh University. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Marcus A. Foster Award and the University of Pennsylvania’s Martin Luther King Award. Recognized by Educational Leadership and Reader’s Digest as an “Inspiring American Icon,” Principal EL continues to champion service, hope, and the belief that every child deserves a winning team behind them.
Room 3 Belonging in Your New School Community الانتماء إلى مجتمع مدرستك الجديد
Asma brings warmth to the conversation, creating a space where families can share and learn how to feel connected and supported in their new school community.
Facilitator Asma Shita, Boone County Schools – @Boone_County
Asma Shita is an English Learner (EL) teacher at R. A. Jones Middle School in Florence, Kentucky. Born in the United States and raised abroad from age seven, she brings a personal understanding of the multilingual learner experience. Asma recently earned her master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Asbury University and is passionate about supporting newcomer students and building strong partnerships with families. She is dedicated to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces where every student feels seen, supported, and capable.
تجلب أسماء دفئًا إلى الحوار، وتخلق مساحة تستطيع فيها العائلات المشاركة والتعلّم حول كيفية الشعور بالانتماء والدعم داخل مجتمعهم المدرسي الجديد المنسقة: أسماء شيته، مدارس مقاطعة بون – @Boone_County أسماء شيته معلّمة لغة إنجليزية للمتعلمين الجدد (EL) في مدرسة R. A. Jones المتوسطة في فلورنس، كنتاكي. وُلدت في الولايات المتحدة ونشأت في الخارج منذ سن السابعة، مما يمنحها فهمًا شخصيا لتجربة المتعددي اللغات. حصلت أسماء حديثًا على درجة الماجستير في تدريس اللغة الإنجليزية كلغةً ثانية من جامعة Asbury، وهي شغوفة بدعم الطلاب الجدد وبناء علاقات قوية مع العائلات. وهي ملتزمة بخلق بيئة رحبة واجتماعية يشعر فيها كل طالب بأنه مرئي، مدعم، وله مستقبل مشرق.
Don’t forget to listen to The ParentCamp Podcast hosted by the amazing April F. Draine. There are some amazing episodes still to come with exciting discussions about impactful topics, sharing stories from ParentCamp schools, highlighting the amazing people we have met and learning from many of our strategic partners. Make sure you check out the show notes for links to all the great resources.<span>The ParentCamp Podcast Season 2</span>
Listen to The ParentCamp Podcast on YouTube, Apple and Spotify.
You can find current and past episodes on our website under the Podcast tab – https://www.parentcamp.org/the-parentcamp-podcast/
With Appreciation,
Virtual ParentCamp Coordinator
ParentCamp
#ParentCamp #VirtualParentCamp #FamilySchoolCommunityEngagement
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If you would like to learn more about bringing ParentCamp or one of our family of camps (Career, Industry, Community, GrandParent, Student, Care) to your school or district, please reach out to Julie or Laura. We would love to walk with you on your family-school-community engagement journey.
Curious what ParentCamp is? Check out our videos on YouTube.
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