Choice Workshop Sessions Spring 2021
Choice Workshop Sessions Spring 2021
Tuesdays & Thursdays, March 18-April 1
Embedded Files
Thursday, March 18th
7:00-8:00 PM
Thursday, March 18th
7:00-8:00 PM
Supporting Student Learning at Home
Beth Hughes
It's spring, and everyone is tired of Zoom, hybrid, learning, and the pandemic in general. This session will offer ways parents/guardians can continue to support their learners at home. A quick refresher of Google Classroom and IPASS will be included.
Executive Functioning and Cognitive Flexibility
Emily Patt, Inclusion Coach, SEEM Collaborative
In this session we will take a deeper look into executive functioning and cognitive flexibility. We will explore how cognitive flexibility allows us to look at things with an open mind, take risks, and solve problems in multiple ways. We will also review strategies to support students of all ages in developing their cognitive flexibility.
Living the Legacy of METCO
Dialogues in Diversity
METCO, the longest continuously running voluntary school desegregation program in the country, which began in the late 1960s. Created at the height of the Civil Right Movement; its mission and mandates are as relevant now as ever. Living the Legacy of METCO is a 45-minute performance that gives the audience the historic context which made the program necessary.
Tuesday, March 23rd
7:00-8:00 PM
Tuesday, March 23rd
7:00-8:00 PM
How to Support your Preschooler at Home
Katie Dolan
This workshop will be full of ideas and suggestions for easy ways to help your preschooler learn and grow though simple at home activities! We will also touch on typical developmental milestones during the preschool years along with suggestions for how you can support your child as they work towards these!
ST Math
Elementary Teachers
We will dive into the neuroscience and research behind ST Math, as well as the rationale behind usage goals. We will then have an opportunity to play ST Math and explore ways that you can support your child at home. You will leave with a strong knowledge of the program, its outcomes, and strategies guiding your child at home.
Supporting English Language Learners within the General Education Classroom
Kara Zubrowkski and Brooke Norvish, ESL Teachers
Elementary ESL teacher Brooke Norvish will provide specific insight into working with the elementary level and Secondary ESL teacher Kara Zubrowski will focus on working with ELs at the secondary level. This workshop will provide universal strategies and resources to support ELs at every proficiency level. Participants will gain more knowledge and confidence with working with EL students within their classrooms.
"In Plain Sight” Pandemic Version: Tour a teen bedroom and learn the hidden signs of vaping & drug use, self-harm, depression/anxiety, and excessive screen time
Presenters: Andrew Cedrone, LMHC, GMS Adjustment Counselor & District SEBH Coordinator, Catherine Dhingra, Wake-Up Coalition Director, Town of Wakefield Health Department; Donna Kausek, Clinical Director NAN Project/Eliot Community Services; Officer Kelley Tobyne, GMS Resource Officer; Officer Matt Malone, WMHS Resource Officer
During this workshop, participants will virtually tour through a mock teenager’s bedroom highlighting factors that may indicate risky behavior or substance use, hidden in plain sight. This workshop will be led by local experts in mental health and substance use. They will go over concerning trends that have emerged during the pandemic and provide participants with signs to watch for along with strategies to address concerning behaviors. Resources will be provided to talk with your child about these important topics. This workshop has been designed based on statistics from Wakefield’s 2019 Youth Risk Behavior survey and a February 2021 survey conducted at WMHS & Galvin.
Thursday, March 25th
7:00-8:00 PM
Thursday, March 25th
7:00-8:00 PM
Kindergarten Information Night
Elementary Administration
On Thursday, March 25th, we would like to invite all parents/guardians for a Kindergarten Information Night via Zoom. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about what to expect in Kindergarten, the Wakefield elementary schools and meet the building principals and other Wakefield Public Schools staff. We look forward to seeing our future Kindergarten parents and guardians at this meeting!
Mathematics Curriculum Review: Why, and What Does This Mean for my Child?
Val Drinan and Lindsay Mosca
Join Lindsay Mosca (5-12 Math Coordinator) and Valerie Drinan (K-4 STEM Coordinator) to learn about Wakefield's mathematics curriculum review. There will be a discussion about the purpose and goals of this exciting review, as well as an overview of possible outcomes. We'll cover what to expect for students and families, and have time for Q&A.
Understanding and Managing Anxiety
Jen Hart and Kate Hersman
According to the National Institute of Health, nearly 1 in 3 of all adolescents ages 13 to 18 will experience an anxiety disorder. This workshop will help understand the causes and symptoms of anxiety, including strategies to support your student's emotional well-being. We will have an opportunity for questions to be submitted ahead of time.
Tuesday, March 30th
7:00-8:00 PM
Tuesday, March 30th
7:00-8:00 PM
Get Out of Your Bubble
Dialogues in Diversity
Get Out of Your Bubble is a theatrical game-show that helps to orient people to the basics of cultural awareness. It is a fun and engaging way to teach people the foundations of diversity and how we ALL fit into the concept. It is an excellent professional development as well as a student-educational model, and has been utilized by dozens of middle schools, high schools, colleges, and businesses. This workshop is open to students and parents. Families are encouraged to join together. It may be most appropriate for upper middle/ high school age students.
Digital Citizenship in the Elementary Grades
Jeanne Buckley, Library & Media Specialist
Digital Citizenship encompasses how we think, engage, and behave when we are online. This presentation will provide parents and guardians with an overview of digital citizenship as it relates to their children in school and at home. Learn about the importance of digital citizenship and how it is taught in the elementary library/media classes. Resources will be shared to help families promote digital citizenship at home.
Raising Money Savvy Kids
Presenter: Tom Elkins, Financial Planner, Wakefield Co-operative Bank
Learn practical techniques you can use with your children to help them grow and become money savvy. The session will provide tools for kids at every age level. We will be discussing saving, spending, investing, jobs, debt, budgets and even touch on building credit. With each topic there will be age appropriate items you can work on with your children.
Thursday, April 1st
7:00-8:00 PM
Thursday, April 1st
7:00-8:00 PM
Fostering a Love of Reading and Writing at Home
Presenters: Lisa Azzarito and Michele Labrecque, Literacy Coaches
In this workshop our literacy coaches will offer ways to engage and empower your readers and writers at home, as well as strategies to support their understanding of text and bolster their writing development.
Strategies and Help for Student Engagement in Synchronous and Asynchronous Remote Learning
Presenters: Andrea Barone and Nicole Weiler
This workshop will address obstacles in student’s engagement during remote learning and strategies to help reengage them that they can use at home.
College Planning
Presenters: Meg Delory and David Robinson
This workshop will provide information on the overall college search and application process. Although it may be particularly helpful to parents of 11th graders, information for 9th and 10th grade parents will be included as well.
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