Press Room - Joe Bruzzese

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		Joe Bruzzese 417 Pitzer Court Santa Barbara, CA 93117 email: joe at thinkingforwardtv.com phone: 805.889.2142 Download a Media Kit (Joe's biography, testimonials, book press release, workshop and speaking event offerings) Biography Press Release - A Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years Presentation Reviews Headshot (color) web use \| print use Headshot (b/w) web use \| print use

	Woodward Academy - Atlanta, Georgia January 28, 2010 Woodward Academy hosted Joe Bruzzese at a morning presentation to speak with parents of the Lower School about fostering independence during the elementary school years. Later that evening, parents from the Middle and Upper School attended a catered dinner event followed by Joe's "Helicopters and Hummingbirds" presentation.

	Parents and Teachers use A Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years for a six-week book study. January 23, 2010 Glen Burnie, Maryland Corkran Middle School's Parent Teacher Book Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Room 212 at the school at 7600 Quarterfield Road. Participants should use the rear entrance to the building. A light supper and soda will be served at 5:30 p.m., followed by a discussion from 6 to 7 p.m. This month, participants will discuss the final chapter "Thriving as a Family During Middle School" of the book "A Parent's Guide to the Middle School Years." Parents are welcome even if they haven't read the book. A new book will be selected for the second half of the school year. Books are selected that provide advice and information about middle school aged children and are provided by the Parent-Teacher-Student Organization. For details, e-mail mzipay@aacps.org.

	A Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years, now available in Japan. January 22, 2010 Released in April of 2009, Joe Bruzzese's book found its way to booksellers across the United States. The beginning of the New Year brought with it an expanded community of readers in Japan. The Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years online at the Japanese version of Amazon.com

	Ellwood Elementary PTA invites Joe Bruzzese to speak with 5th and 6th grade parents about the transition to junior high January 21, 2010 Returning to Ellwood Elementary for the fourth straight year, Joe Bruzzese spoke to parents about the changes and challenges of transitioning to junior high. Peer pressure, drugs and alcohol and organization were among the parent concerns shared during the 90 minute presentation.

	Isla Vista Elementary PTA Sponsors an evening book talk with Joe Bruzzese January 12, 2010 Joe shared his book, A Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years, with parents of graduating 6th grade students who will be headed to Junior High this coming Fall. Peer pressure, academic achievement and making the connection between choices and consequences were among the topics Joe discussed with parents during the 90-minute presentation.

	Islander Middle School, Mercer Island Washington Rosemont Ridge Middle School, West Lynn Oregon December 8-9, 2009 As part of a trip to the Pacific Northwest Joe Bruzzese spoke to a group of eighty parents at Rosemont Ridge about the challenges of social media in his presentation, "Facebook Facts and MySpace Myths". The following evening at Islander Middle School, Joe shared his presentation entitled, "Confident, Connected and Challenged - The 3Cs to Thriving During the Middle School Years".

	Good Morning Maryland @ 9 November 13, 2009 For many kids, middle school represents the beginning of a transition from childhood to young adulthood. For the first time, kids are learning from more than one classroom over the course of a school day. They also begin to confront new social issues. During this time, many kids can feel lost. They are experiencing new issues that are sometimes uncomfortable to discuss with their parents and can leave them feeling alone. The middle school phase can leave the parents feeling uncomfortable as well. On Good Morning Maryland @ 9, author, teacher, coach, and parent Joe Bruzzese, discussed how parents can prove to be a positive resource for their children during these years. Bruzzese says, his new book, A Parents Guide to The Middle School Years serves not only as a tool but a compass for a successful transition into this new and exciting new phase of learning. Bruzzese explains that the year's between 6th grade and 8th grade are critical. This is when kids gain some independence and parents assume the new role of supportive coach. His tips help kids stay organized and on track while helping parents stay connected with their growing children. His core topics Bruzzese discusses in the book are: -Making Friends and Facing Foes -Building Solid Relationships with Teachers -Getting Ahead in Class and Staying There -Achieving Balance Between School and Activities -Keeping Kids Safe Online -Thriving as a Family during Middle School

	Anne Arundel County Parenting Conference - Annapolis, Maryland November 14, 2009 Joe Bruzzese delivers the keynote address, "Bridges and Balance Beams - Building a Child's Road to Success". Featured here with Anne Arundel County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Kevin Maxwell and Vice President of the Board of Education, Patricia Nalley.

	Chesapeake Academy - Arnold, Maryland November 13, 2009 Joe Bruzzese presents, "Helicopters to Hummingbirds - Building skills for independence" for parents of children ages 5 - 11 at the Chesapeake Academy.

	Sudbrook Magnet Middle School - Towson, Maryland November 11, 2009 The PTSA of Sudbrook Magnet Middle School welcome Joe Bruzzese for an evening parent presentation. Parents express concern over peer pressure, academic achievement and organization.

	Becker Middle School sponsors an afternoon book talk with Joe Bruzzese Las Vegas, Nevada November 5, 2009 Joe discussed top strategies from his book, A Parent's Guide to the Middle School Years with parents at the school's monthly Parent Advisory Committee meeting. Teaching children to assume increasing responsibility for their academic achievement, overcoming peer pressure and staying connected at home were among the topics Joe shared at the meeting.
	Getting through the middle school years, a time of change and opportunity Work & Family Life Magazine November, 2009 "One of the big frustrations of pre-teens and young adolescents is the feeling of being misunderstood. So a good starting point for any discussion of the middle-school years is to think about what kids this age wish their parents knew and really understood about them. Read the complete article

	Back-to-school Advice By Peg Rosen While somewhere, somehow, there are families happily waltzing back into their school-year routine, most face these first few weeks with a healthy dose of anxiety. “The start of school means the return to a more rigid schedule … the return of homework. In essence, it’s about change, and change is something that is hard for most people,” says Joe Bruzzese, author of A Parent’s Guide to the Middle School Years. Read the complete article

	Family Confidential is a current guest format podcast that run for approximately an hour. The episodes are aimed at parents who have older children entering and in their teens. Recent guests have been Joe Bruzzese, author of A Parents Guide to the Middle School Years and Mike Robbins, author of Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken. Listen to the podcast

	Ease those first-day blues By Andrea Anastasiou, Feature Writer Published: August 26, 2009, 17:48 "Finding and maintaining friendships tops the list of worries among kids today, particularly when moving from one academic level to the next," says Joe Bruzzese, author of A Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years. Read the complete article

	Online Exclusive: Why Family Meetings Don’t Work: How to Stay Connected to Your Middle School Child September, 2009 School, sports and a variety of other extracurricular interests challenge a family’s ability to stay connected during the school year. Try the weekly check-in instead of a long and drawnout family meeting. Staying connected with teens continues to be one of the greatest challenges that middle school parents face. One routine that keeps families communicating is the Weekly Check-in. Different from the traditional family meeting, the weekly check-in focuses on positive comments, goal setting and acknowledgment of effort and achievement. Read the complete article

	Online Exclusive: Quick Book Reviews for Busy Parents September, 2009 Today’s kids seem to grow up faster than ever, and middle school is quickly becoming the new high school. Homework, social issues, sexuality and technology are just some of the major themes that our children deal with on a daily basis, and parents might not yet feel equipped to deal with the issues with kids this young. A handy reference for parents to turn to when life with teens and tweens seems overwhelming. Read the complete article

	Have a Vision, Create a Game Plan September, 2009 Connect. During the first few weeks of school take two minutes to communicate with each person on your roster. Send a written note, e-mail message or share a quick conversation in person. The message to convey is short yet sincere, “Hi, I just wanted you to know how excited I am to have you in my child’s life this year.” This quick introduction sends a powerful message to everyone on your team about the importance of their role on your child’s life. Read the complete article

	A+ Study Habits by Andrea Atkins Posted online August 15, 2009 (from the September 1, 2009 print edition) Create a Mobile Desktop Since kids are always on the go, fill a lidded container with pencils, pens, paper and other supplies so your child can do homework in the car, on the couch, at his sister’s basketball game. He can use the lid as a desk, and whatever he needs is right at his fingertips, says Joe Bruzzese, author of A Parents’ Guide to the Middle School Years. Read the complete article.

	Back to School: Parenting books, books and more books August 13, 2009 A Parent’s Guide to Middle School Years by Joe Bruzzese was so “on” I passed the book to my sister who will have a middle schooler. Joe covers everything from school supplies to bullying to your child’s locker! Yes, this book is full of valuable information for parents with kids entering or in middle school. Read the complete article.

	Parents Express names, A Parent's Guide to the Middle School Years in their Back to School sampler August 5, 2009 "This guide provides parents, children and educators with valuable advice for facing the critical years from sixth through eigth grade. Some helpful hints include rules for cell phone use, enhancing communication and strategies for academic achievement." Read the complete article.

	Independent School Magazine: Five Steps to Building Your Support Team August 4, 2009 Create a roster. Who will impact your child’s life this year? Begin by creating a list of the adults who will connect with your child during the first month of school. Teachers, school administrators, coaches, mentors, and extended family members are common additions to most team rosters. Read the complete article.

	Envisioning the School Year: how a team approach can make the difference by Joe Bruzzese August 3, 2009 What is your vision for the school year? Is academic achievement at the top of the list or will this be the year your child breaks out of his social shell? Read the complete article.

	The Middle School Years: what parents need to know August 2, 2009 Question: What should parents know about middle school students? Answer: Independence trumps logic and reason. The drive to establish and identity and separate from their parents drives middle schoolers to make decisions that often contradict years of parenting guidance.

	Reviews Read Section August 1, 2009 A Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years - Because today's children seem to grow up so fast, middle school has become the new high school. Concerns about homework, social issues, technology, and emotional health confront parents earlier than they would like or expect.

	Book Reviews August 1, 2009 In A Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years, educator and parent Joe Bruzzese offers parents and their children empowering support to face the critical years from sixth to eighth grade with confidence.

	Editor's Picks August 1, 2009 Back to school is the perfect time for learning more about this critical time in your child's life. Author Joe Bruzzese offers parents and the children support to face this time with confidence.

	ABC Morning Show Sacramento & Co. July 20, 2009 Co-hosts Melissa Crowley and Guy Farris host Joe for spot on making a successful back to school transition. Creating a vision, maintaining a connection and building confidence were among the top ideas shared. The five minute show recording is featured below.

	Joe Bruzzese of UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz School publishes the book A Parents’ Guide to the Middle School Years July 14, 2009 Joe Bruzzese of UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz School has published the book A Parents’ Guide to the Middle School Years (Celestial Arts, 2009). This comprehensive handbook for parents navigating the challenges and opportunities that arise when children attend middle school discusses timely topics such as drug and alcohol abuse, social networking, and sexuality. Read the complete article.

	The Parent Report with Doug Cope June 17, 2009 Listen to the audio interview in mp3 format.

	A Support Team for Your Student July 1, 2009 According to the United States Census Bureau, today's generation of school-age children spend the majority of their waking hours in the care of someone other than their parents. Given the influence that teachers, coaches and mentors and extended family members have on a child's development, the necessity for building a positive and dynamic relationship with this group of people has never been greater. Read the complete article.

	Press Release - A Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years published July, 2009 Ten Speed Press (now Random House Press) publishes A Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years by Joe Bruzzese, MA Read the complete release here.

	Bullying: 4 Ways to Detect It, 5 Parent Actions by Joe Bruzzese June, 2009 In a recent national survey of students in grades 6-10, 30 percentreported being the target of bullies. Nearly 60 percent of the victims said they were bullied with threatening or embarrassing words through e-mail, instant messages, websites, chat rooms or text messages. Read the complete article.

	Being Prepared from www.CincHouse.com May, 2009 “Most schools and school districts feature their report cards online. Different from a child’s report card, the school and/or district report card contains valuable information related to attendance, test scores, and teacher-to-student ratios,” says Joe Bruzzese, a professor in the graduate school of education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, as well as being the author of Parents’ Guide to the Middle School Years. Read the complete article.

	Channel 69 - The CW - The Daily Buzz morning show hosts Joe Bruzzese May 20, 2009 Morning Show host, Andy Campbell asks Joe about the difficult challenges facing kids and parents as they enter the middle school years. View the TV spot below.

	We want our kids become self-reliant, but sometimes our parenting choices undermine our goals. Annie Fox talks about skill-building, independence, and letting go with parenting coach Joe Bruzzese, author of “A Parents Guide to the Middle School Years” (Ten Speed Press, 2009) Listen to the podcast

	Giving hearts, Confident Kids— Youth Volunteers by Mary Ellen Schutz November, 2008 As your children become more independent, give them opportunities to try volunteering on their own. “Often the school and staff have a wonderful list of opportunities that either occur on campus or in the community. This can be a wonderful way for kids to enter into a successful volunteering experience, paving the way to a full-fledged opportunity to plan and implement their own experiences later,” says Joe Bruzzese, M.A., parent coach for middle school families. Read the complete article.

	Back to School by Joe Bruzzese September, 2008 A vision defines a direction toward a goal. Realizing a vision requires support from a motivated group of individuals; a team of people, who ban together through adversity, inspire motivation and acknowledge achievement. Who’s on your team? Read the complete article.