Parent night
An evening conversation for parents and caregivers about screens, gaming, attention and connection at home, with time for questions.
For schools, colleges and universities
Being present in a world built to distract
EHF Canada brings honest talks about screens, attention and being present to schools, colleges and universities across Ontario, from our base in Caledon East. Choose a parent night, an all-school assembly of 20 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, or both. Book a call to plan yours.
At a glance
Talks for your school community
- Who
- Students, parents and caregivers, and school staff
- Formats
- Parent night, all-school assembly, or both together
- Where
- At your school or college, across Ontario
- How to book
- Book a call
Lived experience, not a textbook
What does an EHF Canada school talk look like?
We teach mindfulness from lived experience, not a textbook. Mental health comes first in everything we do. Carl Nissen speaks to students and families honestly about screens, attention and what it means to be present, from lived experience rather than a script.
We bring sound, breath and grounding into the classroom: a personal story, a few simple practices, and an invitation to notice how we use our attention.
Formats
Which formats can a school choose?
Three ways to work with us. We agree the one that fits your school before anything is confirmed.
All-school assembly
An assembly of 20 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes on being present and mindful: a personal story, a few simple practices, and an invitation to notice how we use our attention.
Both together
An assembly during the day and a parent night in the evening, so students and families share the same language and conversation.
Our boundary
What is this, and what is it not?
These sessions are whole-school wellness promotion: a shared way of talking about attention and screens, a sense of belonging, support for phone-free school efforts, and room for creativity.
Educational, not treatment
The talks are educational. They are not treatment, therapy or counselling, and they do not replace medical, psychological or addiction treatment or the supports your school and local services already provide.
Why now
Why talk about screens and presence now?
Schools are rethinking phones in the classroom. Ontario, for example, has introduced classroom phone restrictions, and many schools are working to make that change stick. At the same time, AI and automation are reshaping work, which makes human strengths like creativity, attention and presence more important.
Sir Ken Robinson asked the question years ago in his talk Do Schools Kill Creativity? We think it is worth asking again.
What happens after a session?
After a session, we can offer an optional, anonymous student feedback survey. We share the results with your school so you can decide what is useful and what to do next.
An honest note
What do we say about the research on mindfulness?
Research on school mindfulness programs for teens shows mixed results. Large studies such as the MYRIAD trial in the UK did not find clear benefits for individual mental health outcomes. We take that seriously. We do not promise outcomes.
What we offer is a shared experience: a common language, a pause in the day, and a conversation students and parents can continue.
The speaker
Who is Carl Nissen?
Carl Nissen is CEO and EHF Master at EHF Canada and hosts The PEMS Podcast. He speaks to teens in schools and to residents in recovery programs as a guest speaker. He does not run a treatment or rehab program: he is brought in to speak.
He is a motivational speaker and ambassador for Caledon Community Services, and has been a guest speaker at its Christmas galas and at an Iron Workers meeting. Read more about speaking to schools and recovery programs.
Questions
Questions from schools
Formats, length, research and how to book.
What does EHF Canada offer schools, colleges and universities?
EHF Canada offers guest talks for schools, colleges and universities across Ontario, led by Carl Nissen from our base in Caledon East, Ontario. Choose a parent night, an all-school assembly of 20 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, or both together. The format is discussed with your school before anything is confirmed.
How long is an assembly?
An all-school assembly runs from 20 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes. It is built around a personal story, a few simple practices and an invitation to notice how we use our attention. A parent night is an evening conversation with time for questions.
Do you run a treatment or rehab program?
No. Carl speaks to teens in schools and to residents in recovery programs as a guest speaker, and he is brought in to speak. EHF Canada does not run a treatment or rehab program. The talks are educational, not treatment, therapy or counselling.
Is there research behind school mindfulness?
We are honest about this. Research on school mindfulness programs for teens shows mixed results, and large studies such as the MYRIAD trial in the UK did not find clear benefits for individual mental health outcomes. We take that seriously and we do not promise outcomes.
Can parents take part?
Yes. A parent night is an evening conversation for parents and caregivers about screens, gaming, attention and connection at home, with time for questions. You can pair it with an assembly, so that students and families share the same language and the same conversation.
How do we book a talk for our school?
Book a call from the contact page, phone (416) 305-2267 or email carl@ehfpath.com. Tell us about your school, the audience and the timing, and we will agree the format with you. Talks are quoted per group and format, in Canadian dollars, and confirmed before you commit.
For schools
Plan a talk for your school.
Tell us about your students, your parents and your timing. We will agree a format that fits.