By Ally St. Pierre, Admissions and Marketing Manager, Strelitz International Academy
Strelitz International Academy, in partnership with the Simon Family JCC, is excited to announce that Lenore Skenazy, founder of the Let Grow movement and author of Free-Range Kids, will be joining us for an engaging event on November 21, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Simon Family JCC. Skenazy, who has been a leading voice in promoting independence for children, will share insights from her groundbreaking book and discuss how schools, parents, and communities can empower young learners to develop resilience, confidence, and autonomy.
Skenazy became a prominent figure after writing about her decision to let her 9-year-old son navigate New York City’s subway system alone. This bold parenting choice earned her the title of “America’s Worst Mom” from some critics, but also sparked a national conversation about how much freedom and responsibility children should be given. Out of this moment grew the Free-Range Kids movement, which advocates for giving kids more independence to explore the world at their own pace, without unnecessary restrictions or fear.
As the founder of Let Grow, Skenazy continues to lead efforts to promote childhood independence, with a focus on shifting how schools and parents think about safety and growth. The Let Grow movement encourages initiatives like “Let Grow Projects” in schools, where children take on challenges independently, helping them build problem-solving skills, responsibility, and self-confidence.
During her talk, Skenazy will delve into how these ideas can be integrated into both home and educational settings like ours. We’re particularly excited to have her speak, as our school has recently partnered with the Let Grow movement in our efforts to foster a culture of independence among our Primary Years (PY) students.
We invite all community members, parents, and educators to join us for this inspiring event. It promises to be a thought-provoking discussion, filled with practical advice and a new perspective on raising confident, capable kids. We look forward to seeing you there on November 21 at 6:30 p.m.Contact us at 757.424.4327.
