Parent University
Keeping Your Child in a Healthy Mental State
Tuesday, October 25th
Irving Middle School
6:30-8:30pm
6:30-6:45 Opening Remarks
7:00 - 7:40 Session 1
7:50 - 8:30 Session 2
What we are seeing in our students.....
Come to Parent University and choose from a variety of topics surrounding these areas of mental health and emotional well being. This program is directed towards all elementary, middle, and high school parents in the West Springfield pyramid, but also open to the community.
Pre-registration is not required, but is helpful for planning purposes - please click on the box below to let us know your plans and potential child care needs. Thank you!
Topics and Speakers Include
Coping Strategies for Anxious Kids, What Parents Need to Know
Erin D. Berman, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist, NIMH
• How to identify an anxious child
• How to change anxious thinking
• The science and biological roots of anxiety in children
• How computer technology is transforming the understanding of anxiety
• Current treatment options (medications & CBT: cognitive behavioral therapy)
Building Your Child’s Social and Emotional Resilience
Cathi Cohen, LCSW, CGP
Director of In Step, PC
Supporting Parents. Fostering Change.
Some children are born with a protective outer coating. They have optimistic, adaptable dispositions and seem unfazed by disappointments and mistakes. Others, well, are not. For these kids, small problems feel insurmountable and negative outcomes are dreaded realities. As parents, all we really want is for our kids to develop the social and emotional skills they need to be happy and resilient in life. But, it is hard to know how to help. In this workshop, Cathi Cohen LCSW, CGP (author of “Raise Your Child’s Social IQ") will demonstrate concrete strategies that build social and emotional resilience in children.
Social Media 101: Tech Tools for Parents
Rick Stegman, FCPS Instructional Technology
Social Media is everywhere and it's not going away. Connecting with friends, helping with homework, keeping track of our children, all of these are positive ways to handle our devices. But what do we do when social media lets us down and becomes harmful? This session will focus on social media: why our students go there, the developmental needs social media sites provide, and how adults can help adolescents navigate social media
Mental Health Management
Marla Shea - Certified Special Education Advocate
Mental Health is surrounded by stigma, denial and misinformation. Offering insight and tools to manage mental health issues ranging from OCD, ADHD, ADD, Anxiety as well as Motor/Vocal Tics. In addition, Ms. Shea will discuss positive proactive family/home management, productive and positive interaction with school and doctors. Come join the discussion and learn how to move forward with optimism, humor and productivity.
SOS: Signs of Suicide - Mental Wellness screening for 8th graders
Dr. White & Traci Jamison
Signs of Suicide is a data based developmentally appropriate Mental Wellness Screening that is done with Irving Middle School 8th graders.
Three to Succeed: Protective and Risk Factors for our youth -
Jennifer Spears, Traci Jamison & Dr. Laura White
Based on data from our youth survey, done in 6th, 8th, and 10th grades, what are the best predictors for success in our students? What protective factors are most beneficial in supporting our kids?