Parent Information
PARENT SPEAKERS & MEETINGS
Nimi Singh, MD, MPH, Dept. of Pediatrics, U of M Masonic Children's Hosp.
April 12th, 2019 ~ 12:00 p.m.
Optimizing Mental Health and Well-Being: Key Strategies that WORK
In today’s highly connected world, parents often struggle with balancing their middle schooler’s need for sleep; the “right” amount of time on electronic devices to complete their school work and enable social interactions; and everything else in their busy lives (e.g., increasing amounts of homework, sports, music, friends, family time). Dr. Singh will discuss key strategies to optimize physical and mental health in adolescents, with a focus on sleep and sleep deprivation, and what parents can do to best help their kids.
Session will be recorded for those unable to attend.
Come prepared to ask questions - time for Q&A will be allotted
Questions? Email pta@mmeastpta.com
Lisa Moen, MS & Alex Zickermann, MS, Headway Mental Health Therapists
January 8th, 2019 ~ 12:00 p.m.
Depression and Anxiety in the Middle School Years
The middle school years are a time of transition and emotional and physical change for young teens. As a result, many middle-schoolers experience some type of anxiety or depression, leaving parents wondering what to do to help their child. The presenters will guide parents in identifying the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and will provide practical strategies they can use to support their children going forward, including determining when it is time to reach out to a mental health professional. Attendees of this session will also receive an overview of mental health resources available to treat anxiety and depression.
Come prepared to ask questions - time for Q&A will be allotted
Questions? Email pta@mmeastpta.com
Principal Dymit - January 11th, 2019 ~ 12:00 p.m.
"Cliffs Notes for Middle School Parents: What Middle Schoolers are Saying, Thinking and Experiencing and What Parents Should and Should Not Do About It"
Ever wished your teenager came with an instruction manual? Principal Pete Dymit will be sharing his Cliffs Notes for Middle School Parents and providing insights into the minds and lives of middle schoolers. The session will be recorded and shared on line for parents who are unable to attend.
Dr. Renee Sieving - December 14th ~ 12:00 p.m.
Healthy Friendships and Dating Relationships in the Middle School Years
Youth-family connections and open communication are key to helping middle schoolers make healthy decisions about their peer relationships. And yet, many families are challenged in how to think about, talk about, and guide young teens on a positive path to adulthood, particularly in the area of sexual health. During this session, learn strategies for effectively engaging your teen in conversations about values and how they can guide your teen’s relationships. Come prepared to ask questions - time for Q&A will be allotted.
Speaker's Bio:
Dr. Renee Sieving is a Professor with the School of Nursing and the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota. As a nurse practitioner, she has worked with adolescents and their families in a variety of school and community settings. Dr. Sieving’s research focuses on understanding influences that help adolescents avoid risky behaviors; and on testing programs that involve health clinics, schools, families, and communities in promoting young people’s health and well-being. She directs the Healthy Youth Development - Prevention Research Center, which conducts research, provides training and assistance in translating adolescent health research into practice in schools, clinics, and community settings.
Dr. Jules Nolan - September 21st ~12:00 p.m.
"Guiding Our Children Through Middle School Years"
Our most important job as a parent is to keep our relationships with our children strong and close, particularly during the transitional adolescent years. This session focuses on how brain development in young teens influences their thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It also addresses the unique challenges of middle school years, and how the everyday parenting decisions that we make may impact our relationships, now and into the future.
Speaker's Bio:
Dr. Jules Nolan is a licensed psychologist, nationally certified school psychologist, and president of the Minnesota Association of School Psychologists. An expert in parenting, mental health, and child/adolescent development, Dr. Nolan co-authored a college textbook Real World, Real Challenges: Adolescent Issues in Contemporary Society. She has been an invited speaker at local, national, and international conferences and her published works address adolescent resilience, classroom behavior, and diverse learners. Together with her husband of 31 years, Dr. Nolan has raised 3 children who are now in their 20’s and still show up for Sunday dinners and family game nights.
STUDENT DIRECTORY
We are excited to be adding the MySchoolAnywhere online directory as a service offered to MME families this year. MySchoolAnywhere will house our family directory, online store, volunteer signups, and email communications. It's secure, easy to use, and free to families.
