Thriving in the Midst of Change

Navigating the sometimes unpredictable waters of change can be challenging, to say the least! Fortunately, there are many useful tools and techniques to increase resourcefulness, resilience, and adaptability. You’ll learn some ways to manage stress, techniques to “prime” yourself for a positive day, and strategies for making wise choices during tough times. "When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills." (Old proverb). Explore some ways to harness the ‘winds of change’ for numerous benefits!

Presenter: Jerry Posner, Keynote Speaker

Understanding Anxiety

Target audience: Grades 5-12

This session will focus on defining what Anxiety is, how it can present/manifest throughout a child's development, and the importance of early identification and intervention. A research-based presentation will help parents understand symptoms and strategies, and learn about school and community resources.

Presenters: Galvin Middle School psychologist Kate Hersman

Mindfulness: Balance for Students in a Stressful World

Target Audience: All

The practice of mindfulness involves slowing down, paying attention, and breathing purposefully in order to be fully present in our lives. We invite you to learn more about mindfulness, practicing mindful breathing techniques, how to be more mindful parents, and how to help raise mindful children.

Presenters: WMHS teacher Jill Kramer and guidance counselor Suzanne Burns

Successful Transitions (2 sessions: Gr. PK to K and Gr. 4 to 5)

Target Audience: PreK and Grade 4 Parents

An important goal of the Wakefield Public Schools is to ensure a smooth a transition for all students taking the next step in their educational experience and entering a new school. We recognize that parents may have many questions and concerns as they anticipate their children’s transitions from Pre-K to Kindergarten, grade 4 to grade 5. We invite parents to an informative and interactive discussion about your child’s transition to the next school experience, what you need to know and all about the exciting opportunities ahead.

Presenters: Doyle Principal Shannon Blacker and Galvin Leadership Team

"In Plain Sight”: Tour a teen bedroom and learn the hidden signs of drug use, self-harm, eating disorders and risky internet behavior

Target Audience: Gr. 5-12

Participants will tour a mock teenager’s bedroom highlighting factors that may indicate substance use, hidden in plain sight. Participants will look at a phone wit risky apps and ways teenagers can hide them. A Mental Health Clinician will show participants signs within a room of self-harm/cutting and eating disorders. Parents will be able to see all of the newest products on the market (e-cigarettes & vapes), products used to hide drugs, and what to look out for. Resources will be provided to talk with your child about these important topics. This workshop has been designed based on statistics from Wakefield’s Youth Risk Behavior survey and current trends observed by Wakefield’s Public School, Health and Police Department professionals.

Presenters: Catherine Dhingra, Wake-Up Coalition Director, Town of Wakefield Health Department; Officer Kelley Tobyne, Galvin School Resource Officer; Officer Jason Skillings, WMHS Resource Officer

Raising Money-Savvy Children

Target Audience: All

The Raising Money‐Savvy Children workshop provides parents useful tools to use with their kids. We will work through age‐appropriate activities that will help parents engage their kids in learning about money. Providing children with a foundation for saving, spending, investing and donating will help them to be better prepared for the financial challenges of life. We also discuss how to avoid making money a taboo subject in the household so kids grow up with a healthy relationship with money.

Presenter: Tom Elkins, Financial Planner, Wakefield Co-operative Bank

How to read your child's IEP

Target Audience: All

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal document that outlines services that a child with a disability requires in order to make effective progress. Middle School Special Education Coordinator Erin Ficociello will help parents unpack all the components of an IEP, explaining key terms and discussing important elements of your child's IEP.

Presenter: Erin Ficociello, Special Education Coordinator, Galvin Middle School

Wakefield Civics 101

Target Audience: All

Civics Education starts at home. Learn how Wakefield town government works and how to have your voice heard at School Committee and beyond. We will walk through our town's structure, the basics of Town Meeting and how appointed and elected boards rely on community participation and input. An interactive workshop presented by representatives from Town Council and School Committee.

Presenters: Julie Smith-Galvin, Town Council; Mehreen Butt, Town Council; Jason Pavey, Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator

Getting Relationships Right

Target Audience: All

Using evidence-based research from the Search Institute, this presentation will highlight resources to assist parents in strengthening the relationships they build with young people...

Presenters: WMHS Guidance Counselor Brian Robertson and Galvin MS Counselor Andrew Cedrone

Student Life at Wakefield Memorial High School

Target Audience: Grade 8 Parents

This session will be led by students in grades 9-12 and facilitated by Wakefield Memorial High School Administration. The goal is for students and families soon making the transition to Wakefield Memorial High School to come ask questions about transition, hear about experiences at the high school, how to manage distractions in a digital world and learn about the many offerings the high school has to offer and to get advice from seniors as they begin their transition to life after high school all from the students' perspectives.

Presenters: WMHS Assistant Principal Gerrilyn Trafficante and teacher Jess Snow

Raising and Supporting a Reader

Target Audience: All

Reading is a complicated process that requires students to use a wide range of strategic actions to read accurately, with understanding, and with fluency. How can parents support their child’s reading development at home? This session answers that important question by addressing the following:

• The importance of reading aloud to children

• How to check and extend your child’s understanding of his or her reading

• What to say instead of, “Sound it out”

• Internet resources that support reading development

Presenters: TBD – WPS Staff

To Be a Preschooler

Target Audience: PreK Parents

We will discuss how play promotes learning, meeting standards and social emotional health.

Presenters: Doyle Pre-K Teachers Erin Schermerhorn and Tara Fitzgerald

Family Engagement Framework Focus Group

Target Audience: All

The Massachusetts Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education, Early Education and Care, and Public Heath are looking to hear from you! They are partnering to build a family engagement framework (road map) that covers families from Prenatal into young adulthood. As they work to develop this road map, they are seeking the opportunity to engage with families and youth in discussions about what family engagement means to them, when it has worked well and barriers (what gets in the way) to family engagement.

Presenter: Member of the Framework Coalition