2024 - 2025
Check back periodically for updates to this year's Princeton Common Ground events & offerings + related community events, as we'll be adding additional updates throughout the year!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Frances E. Jensen, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania has researched brain development from the neonatal period through adulthood. She was Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, Director of Translational Neuroscience and Director of Epilepsy Research at Boston Children's Hospital, and Senior Neurologist at Boston Children's and Brigham and Women's Hospitals. She speaks about the teen brain and other brain-related trends and ideas in a wide range of settings, including museums; high schools; TEDMED talks and other conferences; leading print, TV and radio stations; and print publications.
SEATS ARE LIMITED - BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!
PAST EVENTS
Neuroscience Field Trip
Middle Schoolers -
Learn about the Brain!
On Friday, April 11th, from 1-3:00. p.m., up to 60 PCG middle school students can participate in an amazing opportunity to learn about the brain from scientists at the Princeton University Neuroscience Instute.
Sign up here, on a first-come, first-served basis (5 per PCG middle school, for a total of 60 max). Details can be found at the sign-up page, with tentative schedule below.
Parents - if you're interested in chaperoning, carpooling or leading a carpool, please indicate that on the sign-up sheet!
March 5, 2025 @ 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Roadmap to Medical School
Please join The Hun School and Princeton Common Ground for an information session about planning for medical school. At this event, Joseph S. Savino, M.D., Abramson Family Professor in Anesthesiology and Critical Care. Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, will offer data-informed insights on medical school planning and admission, including how to choose the right four-year college or university and what you can do now to increase your chances for success.
FREE and open to the public, but RSVP required. Click here. Please register before March 1st.
March 6, 2025 @ 4:15 p.m.
Emotion Language and Regulation for Youth Well Being
Please join the Stuart School and Princeton Common Ground, for a discussion about emerging evidence connecting the words people use to how they manage (or regulate) those emotions. The discussion will be led by Erik Nook, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Princeton University and an Associated Faculty Member in the Princeton Neuroscience Institute. Emotions are a cornerstone of wellbeing. At this session, we will discuss studies on phenomena like emotion differentiation (specifically identifying one's emotions) and linguistic distancing (using language to 'take a step back' from upsetting situations).
FREE and open to the public (adults), but RSVP required, click here.
Location in main building on Stuart's campus.
March 12, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.
Inside Out with Professor Erik Nook*
*Community Event
After her family moves from Minnesota to San Francisco, 11-year-old Riley’s emotions help her grapple with this change. Much of the action takes place within Riley’s head as personified Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust try to figure out the right balance within the young girl’s mind as she deals with the transition out of childhood while navigating a new environment. This deeply moving Pixar animated film features the voice talents of comedians Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, and more.
At the Princeton Garden Theater. For showtimes and ticket information, click here.
Jan. 30, 2025 @ 4:15 p.m.
Fostering Spiritual Growth in Children
Please join Stuart Country Day School and Princeton Common Ground, for a dynamic discussion on fostering spiritual growth in children with Nuri Friedlander, Director of Equity and Inclusion at The Lawrenceville School; Sister Nancy Kehoe, RSCJ, PhD, Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School and member of the Stuart Board of Trustees; Rabbi Adrienne Rubin, Rabbi of Congregation Bnai Shalom; and Rev. LaThelma Yenn-Batah, Executive Director of American Baptist Women's Ministries. Discover how to cultivate a spiritually enriching environment within your family, integrate meaningful spiritual practices, and navigate life's challenges with mindfulness and resilience. FREE and open to the public (adults), but RSVP required, click here.
Location in main building on Stuart's campus.
Jan. 23, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.
PBS documentary: The Brain, with David Eagleman
Join PCG for a facilitated discussion after viewing an episode of this PBS documentary, which delves into how the brain gives rise to our thoughts, emotions, memories and personality.
TV PG - Bring your children / students!
FREE and open to the public (adults & children), but RSVP required.
Dec. 12, 2024 @ 4:15 p.m.
CREATING STRENGTH FOR YOUR MIND & BODY THROUGH PHYSICAL FITNESS
Please join Stuart Country Day School and Princeton Common Ground, as Courtney Roselle—fitness trainer, motivational speaker, and "Titan of the East" from NBC’s “The Titan Games” with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson— leads a presentation on how physical wellness supports a stronger mindset, sharing insights on strength training, creating a personalised health and wellness plan, and developing daily habits for a healthier lifestyle. Drawing from her journey in competitive fitness, Roselle will share self-help tools designed to build confidence and inspire attendees to take charge of their wellness journey. FREE and open to the public (adults), but RSVP required, click here.
Courtney Roselle, coaches at Brazen Athletics and serves as the Director of Personal Training and Group Fitness at Xcel Athletic Lifestyle in Hoboken, NJ.
Location on Stuart's campus, within Cor Cordis is TBD.
Oct. 28, 2024 @ 4:15 p.m.
SUPPORTING NUTRITION AND BODY IMAGE IN TEENAGE GIRLS
Please join Stuart Country Day School and Princeton Common Ground, for the inaugural event in the Cor Cordis speakers' series. Rebecca Boswell, Ph.D., will lead a presentation on supporting nutrition and body image in teenage girls. The session will cover key topics including the nutritional needs of teens, especially athletes, and how parents can navigate discussions around body image. Attendees will also learn to recognize early signs of disordered eating and promote healthy habits. The presentation aims to equip parents with the tools to support their daughters' growth and well-being. FREE and open to the public (adults), but RSVP required, click here.
Rebecca Boswell, Ph.D.Clinical Psychologist Program Director, Penn Medicine Princeton Center for Eating Disorders
Location on Stuart's campus, within Cor Cordis is TBD.
Oct. 28, 2024 @ 6:30 p.m.
SCREENAGERS - ELEMENTARY EDITION
Please join Princeton Junior School and Princeton Common Ground, as we present the new version of the original Screenagers movie, addressing issues that elementary school aged kids, parents and educators are facing, i.e., smartwatches in class, unhooking from and monitoring video gaming, social media pressures, exposure too young and what research shows is a healthy amount of screen time. With many solutions to these and other challenges, this is an essential watch for all those looking to address and support mental wellbeing in the digital age. FREE and open to the public, but RSVP required. Email: event@princetonjuniorschool.org.
Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition is appropriate for grades 4+ and adults. Run time is 67 minutes; facilitated discussion will follow.
PAST SPEAKERS
Free Public Keynotes
Pat Yongradit
Generation AI: Intro for Parents
Thur., Feb. 22, 2024 @ 7:30p.m. Hosted by: The Peddie School
Pat Yongpradit is the Chief Academic Officer for Code.org, a non-profit dedicated to promoting computer science education, and lead of TeachAI, a global initiative to guide education leaders in rethinking education in an age of AI. Before becoming a global voice on K-12 computer science and AI education, he taught for 13 years, inspiring students to create mobile games and apps for social causes and broadening participation in computer science among underrepresented groups. He has been featured in the book, “American Teacher: Heroes in the Classroom,” and has been recognized as a Microsoft Worldwide Innovative Educator. He is certified in biology, physics, math, health, and technology education.
Chris Dede
Intelligence Augmentation via Artificial Intelligence: IA rather than AI
Tue., Feb. 6, 2024 @ 7:30p.m
Hosted by: Yinghua International School
Chris Dede is a Senior Research Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), and Associate Director for Research, National AI Institute for Adult Learning and Online Education (AI-ALOE). He is an expert in emerging technologies, policy, and leadership. He is currently a member of the OECD 2030 Scientific Committee. He has co-edited several books on topics such as technology-based educational improvement, virtual and mixed realities in education, and learning engineering for online education.
Geoffrey Cohen
Belonging: The Science of Creating Connections and Bridging Divides
Thurs., May 4, 2023 @ 7:30pm
Hosted by: Princeton Day School
Dr. Geoffrey Cohen, is a Stanford University professor and social psychologist who received his Ph.D. at Stanford and his B.A. at Cornell. His research examines the processes that shape people’s sense of belonging and self-concept, studying the big and small threats to belonging and self- integrity that people encounter in school, work, communities, and relationships. He is the author of Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides (W. W. Norton & Company (September 13, 2022), finalist for The Next Big Idea Bookclub + Book of the Year Selection Behavioral Scientist and Greater Good Society.
Judson Brewer
Brain-based Methods to Break the Cycle of Worry and Fear
Thurs., May 5, 2022 @ 7:30pm
Hosted by: French American School of Princeton
Jud Brewer MD PhD (“Dr. Jud”) is the Director of Research and Innovation at the Mindfulness Center and associate professor in Behavioral and Social Sciences and Psychiatry at the Schools of Public Health & Medicine at Brown University. He is the author of the New York Times best-seller, Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind (Avery/Penguin Random House, 2021), and is the executive medical director of behavioral health at Sharecare Inc. and a research affiliate at MIT.
Sonja Lyumbomirsky
The Science of Happiness
Tue., Nov. 9, 2021 @ 7:30pm
Hosted by: Princeton Junior School
Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside. She received her B.A. summa cum laude from Harvard University and her Ph.D. in social psychology from Stanford University. Lyubomirsky’s groudbreaking research—on the possibility of lastingly increasing happiness via gratitude, kindness, and connection interventions—have been the recipients of numerous grants and honors, including an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Basel and the Diener Award for Outstanding Midcareer Contributions in Personality Psychology. She is the author of The How of Happiness and The Myths of Happiness (published in 39 countries).
Anya Kamenetz
Parenting Past a Pandemic
Thurs., May 6, 2021 @ 7:30pm
Hosted by: Stuart Country Day School
Anya is a sought-after keynote speaker and trainer on topics including education, post-pandemic wellbeing, leadership and life planning for young people. She was a longtime education correspondent for NPR. Previously she was staff writer for Fast Company magazine and has contributed to The Village Voice, The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Slate, and many other publications. She has received many awards and honors, including the 2022 Excellence in Media Reporting on Education Research Award from the American Educational Research Association.
Max Stossel
The Impact of Social Media and Technology on Our Children's Education and Well-being
Thur., Feb. 18, 2021 @ 7:30pm
Hosted by: Princeton Friends School
Max Stossel, Max Stossel is an artist named by Forbes as one of the best storytellers of the year, and the Youth & Education Advisor for the Center for Humane Technology, an organization of former tech insiders dedicated to realigning technology with humanity (as featured in The Social Dilemma) Center for Humane Technology (CHT). He has spent the past six years speaking with 100,000+ students, parents, and educators around the world about social media's impact on our lives, and creating resources to help manage that impact. Max provides a unique and much-needed perspective on the role of technology in our homes, schools, and in our society.
Marc Brackett
The Keys to Coping with
COVID-19
Thur., Nov. 12, 2020 @ 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by: The Peddie School
Marc Brackett, Ph.D., is founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and professor in the Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine at Yale University. As a researcher for over 20 years, Marc has focused on the role of emotions and emotional intelligence in learning, decision making, creativity, relationships, health, and performance. Marc is the author of the bestselling book, Permission To Feel (Celadon/Macmillan), which has been translated into 22 languages. Most recently, with Pinterest co-founder Ben Silbermann, Marc and his team co-created the Apple award-winning app, HowWeFeel, that was designed to teach emotion skills and enhance well-being.
Jessica Lahey
Preparation for a Pandemic Summer
Wed., May 27, 2020 @ 4:00pm
Hosted by: Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart
Jessica Lahey is a teacher, writer, and mom. Over twenty years, she’s taught every grade from sixth to twelfth in both public and private schools. She writes about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Atlantic, Vermont Public Radio, The Washington Post and the New York Times and is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed. She is a member of the Amazon Studios Thought Leader Board. Jessica earned a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts and a J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.
Julie Lythcott-Haims
How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Over-Parenting Trap & Prepare Your Kid for Success
Wed., October 28, 2019 @ 7:30pm
Hosted by: Princeton Montessori School
Julie Lythcott-Haims speaks and writes on the phenomenon of helicopter parenting and the dangers of a check-listed childhood. She is a former corporate lawyer and Stanford dean, and she holds a BA from Stanford, a JD from Harvard, and an MFA in Writing from California College of the Arts. She currently serves on the boards of Black Women’s Health Imperative, Narrative Magazine, and on the Board of Trustees at California College of the Arts. She serves on the advisory boards of LeanIn.Org, Sir Ken Robinson Foundation and Baldwin For the Arts.
George Scott
Suicide Can Touch Anyone: A Real Conversation About Suicide Prevention & Care
Tue., May 14, 2019 @ 7:30pm
Hosted by: The Pennington School
George Scott is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist known throughout New Jersey as an energetic and engaging speaker. Mr. Scott is certified in Post-Traumatic Stress Management and is a state wide Co-Ordinator for the Traumatic Loss Coalition, New Jersey's primary youth suicide prevention program.
Paul Foxman
The Worried Child: Identifying Anxiety & Helping Children Thrive, Strategies That Work
Tue., April 9, 2019 @ 7:30pm
Hosted by: The Lawrenceville School
Dr. Paul Foxman is the founder and director of the Center for Anxiety Disorders in Burlington, Vermont. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from Yale University and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Vanderbilt University. He has been in private practice for 35 years.
Charles H. Vogl
The Art of Community
Tue., October 30th, 2018 @ 7:30pm
Hosted by: The Hun School of Princeton
Charles H. Vogl has been working to build communities since his days as a Peace Corps volunteer in
Zambia. He now works with leaders in tech, finance, media, government, and social change organizations to
help them create effective change.
Michael Thompson
The Pressured Child & Best Friends, Worst Enemies
Tue., April 10, 2018 @ 7:30pm
Hosted by: Princeton Day School & Princeton Montessori School
MICHAEL THOMPSON, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, school consultant and international speaker on the subjects of children, schools and parenting. He has authored nine books including, The Pressured Child, Raising Cain, and Best Friends, Worst Enemies. In 2019, Dr. Thompson was the staff psychologist of an all-boys independent school in the Boston area.
Wendy Mogel
Blessings of a Skinned Knee
Thur., October 5, 2017 @ 7:30 PM
Hosted by: Stuart Country Day School
Dr. Wendy Mogel is an internationally acclaimed psychologist, author, and public speaker. Publisher’s Weekly gave her—now classic—parenting book, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, a starred review, calling it “impassioned, lyrical and eminently practical…a real treasure.”
Frank Bruni
Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: The Antidote to the College Admissions Mania
Tue., April 4, 2017 @ 7:30 pm
Hosted by: The Peddie School
Frank Bruni is a longtime op-ed columnist for the New York Times, where he has written frequently about higher education. He previously worked as the newspaper’s Rome bureau chief, a staff writer for its Sunday magazine, one of its White House correspondents, and its chief restaurant critic. Bruni is the author of two bestselling books in addition to WHERE YOU GO IS NOT WHO YOU’LL BE: the memoir Born Round and a chronicle of George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign for the presidency, Ambling into History
Al Vernacchio
Raising Sexually Healthy Kids: A Toolkit for Parents and Caring Adults
Tue., February 28, 2017 @ 7:30pm
Hosted by: Chapin School
Al Vernacchio teaches at Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood, PA. A Human Sexuality educator and consultant for over 20 years, Al has lectured, published articles, and offered workshops throughout the country. His work has been featured in “Teaching Good Sex”, a November, 2011 cover story in The New York Times Magazine. In addition Al has given four TED Talks, and has appeared on NPR’s “Morning Edition”. He is the author of For Goodness Sex: Changing the Way We Talk to Young People About Sexuality, Values, and Health published by Harper-Collins.
Richard Freed
Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age
Tue., November 15, 2016 @ 7:30pm
Hosted by: Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart
Dr. Richard Freed is a child and adolescent psychologist and a leading authority on raising children in the digital age. Dr. Freed is the author of the book Wired Child: Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age, is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, and his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and other media platforms.
PCG MEMBER SCHOOLS
CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL
Day
Coed, K – 8
120 students
FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF PRINCETON
Day
Coed, pK - 8
173 students
THE HUN SCHOOL
Day & boarding
Coed, 6-PG
579 students
176 Edgerstoune Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
www.hunschool.org
Phone: (609) 921-7600
Fax: (609) 683-4410
THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL
Day & boarding
Coed, 9 – PG
784 students
2500 Main Street
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
www.lawrenceville.org
Phone: (609) 896-0400
THE LEWIS SCHOOL
Day
Coed, K – PG
150 students
53 Bayard Lane
Princeton, NJ 08540
www.lewisschool.org
Phone: (609) 924-8120
PEDDIE SCHOOL
Day & boarding
Coed, 9 – 12
530 students
201 South Main Street
Hightstown, NJ 08520
www.peddie.org
Phone: (609) 490-7500
PENNINGTON
SCHOOL
Day & boarding
Coed, 6 – 12
450 students
112 West Delaware Ave
Pennington, NJ 08534
www.pennington.org
Phone: (609) 737-6128
PRINCETON ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART
Day
Boys
PS – 8, 200 students
1128 Great Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
www.princetonacademy.org
Phone: (609) 921-6499
PRINCETON DAY SCHOOL
Day
Coed, JK – 12
888 students
650 Great Rd.
Princeton, NJ 08542
www.pds.org
Phone: (609) 924-6700
PRINCETON FRIENDS SCHOOL
Day
Coed, PS – 8
80 students
470 Quaker Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
www.princetonfriendsschool.org
Phone: (609) 683-1194
PRINCETON JUNIOR SCHOOL
Day
Coed, PS – 6
130 students
90 Fackler Road Princeton, NJ 08648
www.pjs.org
Phone: (609) 924-8126
PRINCETON
MONTESSORI
SCHOOL
Day
Coed, infant – 8
230 students
487 Cherry Valley Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
www.princetonmontessori.org
Phone: (609) 924-4594
STUART COUNTRY DAY
SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART
Day
Girls, PK – 12 (PK coed)
548 students
1200 Stuart Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
www.stuartschool.org
Phone: (609) 921-2330
Fax: (609) 497-0784
YINGHUA INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL
Day
Coed, PS – 8
100 students
25 Laurel Ave
Kingston, NJ 08528
www.yhis.org
Phone:(609) 375-8015CONNECT WITH US
