In our second year, Hold the Phone and La Grange School District 102 are partnering together for another Tech Education Series!
Building community through shared digital education, we are hosting events for both parents and kids.
Nov 5, 6:30pm | ben Gillenwater, The Family IT Guy
“How to Keep Your Kids Safe on the internet” + Parental COntrols workshop
The apps and games kids use are designed to be addictive, and the result is harm to their mental health: anxiety, depression, lost sleep and trouble focusing. Many of them also let strangers reach kids directly. AI is making both of those problems worse.
Ben Gillenwater, the Family IT Guy, is a dad who has worked in cybersecurity for 30 years. In the first hour, he'll explain how these dangers work and what parents can do about them. Then he'll give an overview of Apple's parental controls, including what changed in iOS 27, and families will set up their own devices in small groups, with Ben and volunteers there to help.
Bring your phone and your child's device, charged and updated, and know the passcode that unlocks your child's device.
About Ben Gillenwater
Ben Gillenwater is a 30-year cybersecurity expert and dad on a mission to help families navigate the digital world safely. His work in youth digital safety began when he gave his young son a "kid-safe" iPad and found, despite his own technical background, how easily inappropriate content and addictive design slipped through. Before focusing on families, he spent three decades in enterprise technology, including serving as Chief Technologist for Northrop Grumman's $10 billion IT business supporting the NSA and Department of Defense. Through Family IT Guy, he works with schools, law enforcement, educators and community organizations to give families practical guidance they can use.
FEB 2, 7pm | Michael McLeod, Founder of GrowNOW
“What Screens Can't Teach: Raising Independent Kids in a Distracted World”
Kids today are growing up with a device in reach every waking minute. That's changing how they focus, how they handle frustration, and how they connect with the people around them. But the answer isn't just less screen time. It's building the skills screens can't.
In this session, we break down what's really happening when kids can't put the phone down, how to set limits that stick without a daily fight, and how to build the internal skills that last: self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation and self-evaluation. These skills carry kids through high school, college and beyond.
You'll leave with a clear plan to help your child look up, tune in, and build the independence no device can give them.
About Michael McLeod
In 2016, Michael created the Internal Skills Executive Function Strengthening Model, and GrowNOW ADHD was born. His mission: improve quality of life for youth and families facing ADHD and executive function challenges.
Mike has presented this model to audiences nationwide and internationally. He is a nationally recognized keynote speaker and professional development trainer.
He is the author of The Executive Function Playbook & The Playbook In Action Workbook. Michael is co-host of the ADHD Parenting Podcast.
With a Masters Degree, and more than 20 years of experience, collaborations with leading doctors, neuropsychologists, and nonprofits, Mike blends deep expertise with a practical, strength-based model that gets results.
past EVENTS
Hold the Phone strives to provide resources to kids, parents, families and the community at-large. Check out some of our past events and resources.
We're excited to bring back our 2nd Annual Popsicles in the Park—and this year, we're bringing the fun to all four District 102 schools!
These free, casual gatherings are all about giving kids a chance to play, connect with friends, meet new ones, and enjoy a popsicle—no screens required.
Find your school below and RSVP so we know you're coming:
🌳 FOREST ROAD & CONGRESS PARK
📅 Saturday, August 29 | 4:00–6:00 PM | Memorial Park
☀️ COSSITT
📅 Sunday, August 30 | 3:00–4:30 PM | Elm Park
🍦 OGDEN
📅 Sunday, August 30 | 5:00–7:00 PM | Stone Monroe Park
Come for 20 minutes or stay the whole time. Bring siblings, bring friends, and help us kick off another school year with some good old-fashioned play and community connection.
(RSVPs are not required, just encouraged.)
2nd annual d102 popsicles in the park!
June 5, 2026 | Hold the Phone: Dial-Up the 90’s
Hold the Phone: Dial-Up the 90’s was a huge success!
Thanks to the incredible support of our community, this nostalgic night of throwback fun, friendly competition, and real connection raised over $15,000.
These funds will directly support:
Expert-led parent education events, including the Hold the Phone and D102 Tech Education Series
Student and family programming, including Popsicles in the Park and “Screenagers” documentary screenings
Community conversations around healthy tech habits, including Hold the Phone group chats and book clubs
Thank you to everyone who attended, sponsored, volunteered, donated, and helped make this event possible. Your support helps create more balance, connection, and intention in how our families use technology.
Hold the Phone and other local volunteers joined the annual Salt Creek Clean-Up. Visit the Salt Creek Watershed website for more details.
APril 19 | SALT CREEK SPring CLEAN-UP
2026 Tech Education Series
In partnership with La Grange School District 102, Hold the Phone completed our 2026 Tech Education Series! Building community through shared digital education, we hosted events for both parents and kids.
APRIL 13-15 | D102 SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH LISA HONOLD + parent night
Lisa Honold, Director for the Center of Online Safety, visited all D102 elementary schools and Park Jr. High, sharing “Digital Literacy” lessons in assemblies. These assemblies focused on digital reputation, screen time health, and privacy habits messages for grades 3-8.
Connecting the dots - Parents heard what the kids learned in their assemblies and how to reinforce the principles at home.
View the sample Family Tech Agreement and Digital Milestones below.
February 25th | “SCREENAGERS” movie at park jr high
Parents and children came together to screen an elementary school edition of the documentary “Screenagers” focused on elementary school kids, told from their POV.
January 28th | Emily Cherkin parent event
We welcomed nationally recognized author and speaker Emily Cherkin, MEd. Attendees gained insight into:
Current statistics on children, education, and screen use
How executive function skills develop—and how screentime can impact them
The role of persuasive design in fueling screen-related conflict
Research-based recommendations for intentional, healthy screen use
Greater confidence in setting tech boundaries and norms at home
