Parent University's website is organized by the relevant topics parents are interested in learning more about. Take some time to browse through the presentations to get an idea of what is available. Our teachers took immense pride in planning and creating these for you!
Once you find a topic that interests you, click on it to see what information is available. You should be able to browse on the small screen or expand it to fit your entire computer screen. You can repeat this process for any other topics that interest you or want to learn more about. If you find a topic helpful or informative, share it with other parents or caregivers who might be interested, too!
Building Towards The Future: Special Education
Location: High School Commons
In this workshop, parents will collaborate to discuss transition resources and formulate a vision statement that embodies their shared goals for supporting their children as they transition from school to adulthood. Participants will explore diverse perspectives and foster collaboration among community stakeholders, ensuring a comprehensive approach to this important process. Join us for this valuable opportunity to contribute to your child's future and strengthen our community's support system!
Marie Dalton
Coffee Clutch with Dr. M
Location: Room 2340
Join Dr. Moriarty for a Coffee Clutch! This informal gathering is a chance to chat about our curriculum and instruction journey across the district. Please bring your questions, insights, and ideas as we discuss where we’ve been, where we’re headed, and how we’re working together to create impactful learning experiences for all students. It’s an excellent opportunity to connect, share, and gain insights into the ongoing work happening in our schools.
Nicole Moriarty
Fueling Curiosity: Empowering Students Through Passion Projects
Location: Room 2339
With creative learning research at the forefront of education, one solution the district saw as aims to meet the needs of all students is through passion projects. Students set forth in a multifaceted, individualized, inquiry-based research project on what excites them. Throughout their inquiry, students are guided through brainstorming, planning their project, reading and finding reliable resources, taking notes as evidence of their learning, and creating something with their newfound knowledge. Students are challenged in higher-order thinking processes and supported by collaboration with their peers and one-on-one support from their teacher. Passion projects can take many forms, and the possibilities are endless in what they can learn and create through their inquiries!
Lauren Campbell, Lindsay Lyons and Danielle McDermott
Getting Squared with ParentSquare
Location: Room 2323
Communication between parents and families, their schools, and the district is essential. We want our families involved in our schools and are working to strengthen our connection with you through ParentSquare. You can learn more about using the ParentSquare app to communicate, collaborate, and celebrate your child(ren) and their accomplishments. When ParentSquares get together, it’s a real block party.
Lauren Reid
Guiding Student Success with AI: A Toolkit
Location: Room 2312
In this workshop, participants will explore the various ways students can use Artificial Intelligence as a resource to enhance their learning. Topics include using AI to summarize texts, creating practice questions and study guides, being a personalized tutor, and more!
Matthew Gaven & Patrick Walsh
How to Help Your Child with Math
Location: Room 2308
Are you struggling at the dining room table trying to help your child with math homework? Come to this session to learn how to help your child through challenging math moments.
Dorothy Gootman & Abbe Kellner
Managing Anxiety in Adolescents
Location: Room 2334
The recent Surgeon General's warning highlights the increasing stress faced by parents, but anxiety affects people of all ages. Join us to explore:
- How anxiety presents
- The unique challenges faced by parents and teens
- Practical strategies for coping with anxiety
- Techniques to navigate uncomfortable situations
Whether you're a parent under pressure or have a student dealing with stress, we aim to provide valuable insights and tools to help you manage anxiety. Let's work together to build resilience and find calm in our fast-paced world.
Kelly O’Brien and Jen Sedler
Positive Behavior Support at Home and School: A Parent's Guide to PBIS
Location: Room 2338
Join us for an engaging presentation on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)! Discover how PBIS fosters a supportive school environment that promotes positive behavior, enhances academic success, and strengthens relationships among students, staff, and families. We’ll explore strategies for reinforcing positive behavior at home and in school, share success stories, and discuss how you can play a vital role in this transformative approach. We’ll discuss affective statements, how they are used at school, and how you could use them at home. Let’s empower our children to thrive in a positive learning environment together!
Michelle DeMartino & Chris Zappia
The K-2 Literacy Experience
Location: Room 2335
Join us to learn about our shift to the Science of Reading approach in K-2! Discover how we're building a strong foundation in reading skills like phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension. This evidence-based approach is helping our youngest learners become confident readers. Come see how our teaching methods have evolved to support your child’s reading journey and learn simple ways you can reinforce these skills at home!
Trici Broderick
The New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards: A Parents Guide
Location: Room 2306
Science, engineering, and technology permeate nearly every facet of modern life and hold the key to solving many of humanity's most pressing current and future challenges. To prepare our students, this workshop will share how a new approach to K-12 science education will capture students' interest and provide them with the necessary foundational knowledge.
Guy Accardi
The World of VEX Robotics
Location: Room 2320
Overview of elementary VEX Robotics curriculum and parents will have an opportunity for hands-on experience with VEX123 and VEX Go!
Trish Montemarano & Lacey Lohr
Understanding Executive Functioning
Location: Room 2314
The term “executive functioning” is an all-encompassing, often misunderstood term that describes the skills we use to regulate our behavior to reach a goal. Understanding executive functioning can reframe the way we think about our strengths and weaknesses in academic, social, and vocational skills. This discussion will leave you with an understanding of what executive functioning is all about and provide you with ideas and tips on how to help your child be the best they can be. If you have attended this talk before, please don’t hesitate to come again as we will discuss all new strategies.
Amy Curly
Visual Arts are THRIVING at SSMS
Location: Room 2310
SSMS’s continuum of learning in the visual arts, fine arts, and art history is comprehensive and dynamic for students in grades 6-8. Students will foster various skills, techniques, and creative thinking through differentiated learning engagements and transfer understandings into new contexts while employing multimedia and genres.
C. Silecchia-Ferrone
What is ST Math?
Location: Room 2307
Overview of ST Math program. This fun digital math program has been launched in all the RVC elementary schools this year. Meet Jiji and join in on the problem-solving fun!
Jenna Alexy, Kristi Bonino, Shana Starman
Why IB? The Benefits of a World-Class Education
Location: Room 2304
Have you heard the term “IB” around town and wondered what it’s all about? If so, learn how the International Baccalaureate Program can help your child grow academically, personally, and interpersonally. You’ll learn about the different options for participation, the philosophy behind IB’s curricular framework and assessment, and how students can explore and build upon their interests in a highly supportive environment. We’ll pull back the curtain on why students participating in the IB Program are so well-prepared for success in college and beyond.
Liz Nisler & Andrea Darbee