When parents and educators are working together in synergy, our kids are the ones who win

In a spirited culmination of a year-long journey in family engagement, P.S. 74 concluded its acclaimed “Parent Power” workshop series today with a final session that doubled as a town hall — an open, community-rooted conversation on the increasingly vital topic of online safety for children.

The meeting, hosted in the school cafeteria and brought together parents, educators, and community stakeholders to discuss strategies to protect children in an age of ubiquitous digital access.

The workshop opened with remarks from Ms. Mazzeo, who is finishing her first year at P.S. 74. Her welcome set a warm and inclusive tone for the afternoon, emphasizing the importance of home-school partnerships in addressing the complex digital challenges children face today.

Spearheaded by the core team behind the series: Mr. Grin, Ms. Sousa, Ms. Mohamed, and Ms. Soto-Rosado, the final session delved into critical issues of internet safety. Drawing from the widely respected NetSmartz curriculum, the facilitators addressed risks ranging from exposure to inappropriate content and sextortion to cyberbullying and online enticement. Emphasis was placed on the role of ongoing, honest communication between parents and children, as well as the importance of helping kids develop rejection skills, empathy, and problem-solving strategies.

“Our children’s lives are increasingly shaped by what happens online,” said Ms. Soto-Rosado. “We can’t unplug the internet, but we can prepare them for it.”

Perhaps most importantly, parents were encouraged to see themselves not as passive observers, but as empowered allies in their children’s digital lives.

True to the spirit of the town hall format, parents took center stage during portions of the meeting. Their comments ranged from personal stories of navigating tech with their children to thoughtful questions about balancing safety with privacy. The dialogue underscored a collective sense of urgency and possibility.

“There’s no perfect software or magic app,” Mr. Grin noted. “The best safeguard is you — your conversations, your attention, your trust.”

The event closed on a celebratory note with a raffle draw, that was livestreamed on the school’s official Instagram account. One lucky attendee, whose ticket had been selected from a pool of all participants in the Parent Power series, won a literacy-focused board game. The energy in the room peaked when it was revealed that the winner was present in the audience, prompting a round of cheers and a celebratory photo.

Over the course of the year, the Parent Power workshop series has tackled themes from math learning strategies to literacy at home. But today’s finale felt especially resonant. As devices continue to become permanent fixtures in children’s lives, the conversation around digital safety is no longer optional — it’s essential.

“It’s not just about avoiding danger,” said Ms. Mohamed. “It’s about teaching our kids to thrive in a world that’s changing every day. That’s what real power looks like.”

As the school community reflects on the series’ success, it’s clear that Parent Power has become more than a program — it’s a movement. One where the classroom and the living room meet, and where every parent leaves with tools to unlock their child’s full potential.

Special Thanks

We also extend our deepest gratitude to the dedicated ELL educators from the nearby schools, whose participation and collaboration made the Parent Power series possible. We especially would like to highlight Latifa Benson from P.S. 65 The Academy of Innovative Learning, and Lara Scaringella, Tara Kempf and Alexandra Scribani representing our friendly campus neighbors from P.S. 16 John J Driscoll and P.S. 10 Fort Hill schools. Their commitment to multilingual families and unwavering support throughout the workshops ensured that our programming was inclusive, accessible, and enriching for all. Their contributions helped create a truly unified community effort, one that reflects the diversity and strength of our schools.