K-12
September 6
7:00pm-8:30pm - Ridge High School Cafeteria
This night will help NEW families to the country and community understand the resources available to them as well as their responsibilities as parents in the district.
September 26
Navigating Resources for Student Success
7:00pm-8:30pm - Ridge High Cafeteria
Join us to learn how to navigate the Genesis student/parent portal, with technical support available. Staff will help parents with logging in and viewing student information in Genesis. Included will also be information about how to navigate the district website to learn about various other supports and resources that are available to help students and families. A recorded presentation will be posted online for families who cannot attend in person.
October 18
Suicide Prevention and Awareness for Parents
7:00pm-8:30pm - Ridge High School PAC Lecture Hall
Join us for a presentation on what parents and guardians need to know about suicide prevention including: warning signs in children, information about our district suicide prevention curriculum, and awareness of resources. Registration is required. Will be recorded and posted for those who cannot attend.
October 19
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
6:30pm-8:30pm - Virtual
The mission of QPR is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. In 3 steps anyone can learn to prevent suicide. QPR COVERS How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal; How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide; The common causes of suicidal behavior; The warning signs of suicide; How to get help for someone in crisis. This event is hosted by the Bernards Township Health Department.
October 26
Setting Up Your Home for Success
7:00pm - Cedar Hill School Cafeteria
Presenter: Jessica DuBois-Heyder, MSW, LCSW
Learn how to: Engineer your home environment, establish successful morning routines and promote ongoing communication between you and your child. This event is hosted by the Bernards SEPAC.
October 26
RHS BREW: Alcohol and Substance: A First-hand Perspective
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Media Center
Presenter: Andrew Michinard
Mr. Andrew Michinard, an RHS graduate, shares his personal story including his struggles with alcohol and addiction. His firsthand account focuses on the real situations our students may find themselves in as they or their friends deal with access to alcohol and other substances, peer pressure, decision-making, and self-worth.
November 7
Special Services Lunch & Learn - Introduction to the Preschool Child Study Team
12:00pm - Virtual
They will be presenting information regarding the referrals process, evaluations, eligibility for Special Education Services and what to expect during IEP meetings.
November 9
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
6:30pm-8:30pm - Virtual
The mission of QPR is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. In 3 steps anyone can learn to prevent suicide. QPR COVERS How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal; How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide; The common causes of suicidal behavior; The warning signs of suicide; How to get help for someone in crisis. This event is hosted by the Bernards Township Health Department.
December 21
ESS Parent Presentation: Depression in Children & Adolescents
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
The goal of this workshop is to help caregivers support and work more effectively with a child suffering from depression. Participants receive an overview of child and adolescent depression, learn how depression can impact school performance, and develop an understanding of treatment options.
January 23
ESS Parent Presentation: Supporting Students with Stress & Excessive Worry
7:00pm-8:00pm - Virtual
https://effectiveschoolsolutions.zoom.us/j/92930608643?pwd=OGl0eENKeTdZRUNoS2xHWUxUUGhGdz09
Meeting ID: 929 3060 8643
Passcode: 933519
This workshop introduces parents and caregivers to effective strategies for providing children with the structure and support needed to reduce stress, enhance access to executive functioning skills, and improve academic achievement. Participants will gain an understanding of how mental health impacts learning and leave with actionable steps to enhance their child's school performance.
January 24
Special Services Lunch & Learn - Making the Most of Your Child's IEP Meeting
12:00pm - Virtual
February 6
Special Services Lunch & Learn - Graphic Organizers for Writing
12:00pm - Virtual
Various K-5 graphic organizers will be presented that assist and support students when writing for a specific genre.
February 8
Making The Future More Secure for Loved Ones With Special Needs
7:00pm-8:00pm - Virtual
Gain more peace of mind regarding “What will happen when I’m gone?” by learning how to most effectively support your loved ones. Topics include: protecting government benefit eligibility, the basics of special needs trusts and ABLE accounts and writing a letter of intent. Information will be presented in a practical, plain-spoken manner, and participation is encouraged. Content is also relevant for professionals seeking basic answers to financial topics impacting those they support. Participants are welcome to a resource kit and complimentary consultation.
February 15
ESS Parent Presentation: How to Talk to Your Kids & Survive
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
Raising a child is probably the most gratifying job any of us will ever have -- and also one of the toughest. In large part, this is because times have changed. We live in an increasingly complex world that challenges us every day with a wide range of disturbing issues that are difficult for children to understand and for adults to explain. Today’s children are part of the iGen or GenZ generation, the generation born in the age of smartphones and tablets. This presentation will help parents discuss how to talk with today’s kids and survive.
March 6
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training
6:30pm-8:30pm - Virtual
The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. In three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. This virtual training is free to anyone who is 18+ years old and is interested in learning suicide prevention techniques. This event is hosted by the Bernards Township Health Department.
March 21
Self Mastery Seminar Series - What is Trauma Really?
5:30pm-7:00pm - Bernards Township Townhall, Warren Craft Room - 1 Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge
Discover the significance behind the buzzword “trauma.” Join Stacey Uhrig for an insightful exploration into its impact on mental and physical well-being. Gain a deeper understanding of this pervasive term and its relevance in today’s world. Don’t miss out on unraveling the complexities of trauma and its implications for individuals and society. This event is presented by the Bernards Township Health Department and Stacey Uhrig.
March 21
ESS Parent Presentation: Social Media & Strengthening Caregiver Connectivity
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
This workshop focuses on the increasing trend of children and adolescents using social media. Attendees will gain insights into how children fulfill their needs online and explore strategies to guide them toward fulfilling those needs offline. By enhancing parent-child connections, participants will foster a desire in their children to reduce online time and engage more in offline activities. Questions during the presentation can be sent to tmasino@bernardsboe.com.
April 3
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training
10:00am-12:00pm - Bernards Township Library
The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. In three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. This training is free to anyone who is 18+ years old and is interested in learning suicide prevention techniques. This event is hosted by the Bernards Township Health Department.
April 25
ESS Parent Presentation: The Power of Play
7:00pm-8:00pm, Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
When parents play with their children, it allows moms and dads to relive the joys of their childhood. Parents who play with their children naturally become more attentive to their child’s nonverbal behavior and develop a better understanding of a child’s sense of humor, creativity, and personality. Engaging in play improves communication skills between parents and their kids, and it promotes bonding. Beyond the fun and games, play is essential to your child's health and development. Play helps build important social-emotional, cognitive, language and self-regulation skills. When you play with your child, you also help create the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships they need to thrive. This workshop will teach the benefits of play as well as give ideas to connect with your kids through play.
May 8
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
9:00am-3:00pm - Bernards Township Library, 32 S. Maple Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 in Program Room B
Youth Mental Health First Aid helps give adults the tools to identify when an adolescent aged 12-18 might be struggling with a mental health or substance use problem and to connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary. This course is recommended for parents, teachers, coaches, social workers, faith leaders, and other caring citizens who regularly interact with young people ages 12-18. This is sponsored by the Bernards Township Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse, Bernards Township Health Department, Community in Crisis, and Empower Somerset.
May 9
Navigating Life Together: A Parent and Adult with Disabilities Journey
7:00pm - Ridge High School Media Center
We will have first-hand account speakers coming in to discuss their lives as an adult with disabilities and the mother of an adult with disabilities. Mary Flynn and Maureen Flynn will discuss how they have navigated Mary's life of living with a disability, what the transition from high school to adult life was like, experiences of working with various service agencies, and other personal thoughts and recommendations they feel are important for all families to know.
May 13
The Brew: John Mopper Blueprint Mental Health
7:00pm-9:00pm - William Annin Middle School Auditorium
On February 28 John Mopper of Blueprint Mental Health came to Ridge High and provided an assembly to students and staff. He spoke about the obstacles facing today's teens and the importance of powering through to gain resilience. He was so well received by students and staff that we are welcoming him back!
May 22
Adult Mental Health First Aid Training
9:00am-4:30pm - Bernards Township Library, 32 S. Maple Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 in Program Room B
Adult Mental Health First Aid teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults 18+. This is sponsored by the Bernards Township Municipal Alliance Against Substance Abuse, Bernards Township Health Department, Community in Crisis, and Empower Somerset.
May 23
ESS Parent Presentation: Mental Health Survivor Guide & Preparing for Summer Break
7:00pm-8:00pm - Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
As June rolls around each year, students are typically counting the days until summer break as they head toward a much-needed period of rest and renewal. At the same time, mental health concerns call for a greater level of vigilance and planning as parents plan for their child’s summer. In this presentation, parents will explore ways to maximize the safety of their children by collaborating with teachers and mental health professionals to develop a safety plan that will incorporate opportunities for structure and support over the summer months.