WPS Parent University

Workshop Sessions

Saturday, March 8, 2025
Galvin Middle School

Session 1: 9:40-10:30 / Session 2: 11:00-11:50

View all workshop descriptions below. Click here to register and save your spot!

Anxious Avoiders

Do you have an Anxious Avoider? We define an 'anxious avoider' as a person whose level of anxiety spikes surrounding specific events or activities and who struggles to engage effectively in these situations. If so, this is the presentation for you! We will cover the fundamentals of Anxiety, share our best practices for both supporting and challenging students at school as well as how we can best work as a team with families. This session will include a short-ish presentation followed by time for questions and feedback.

Presenter: Matt Conroy- TLC Teacher at Galvin Middle School

College Planning (Session 2 only)

This workshop will cover all aspects of the college search and application process.Topics will include: Basics of the college application process, Factors Colleges Consider Most, Financial Aid/Scholarships, Resources available to students, Question and answer period at the end of the presentation.

Presenter: Meg Delory, WMHS Guidance Counselor

Early Childhood Milestones (Session 1 only)

The first years of life are so important for development. Parents/Caregivers spend a lot of time with their young children and are key to determining the experiences they will have. Parents/Caregivers are in a position to monitor the development of each of their children. This workshop will review age-specific developmental milestones in ages 2-7. These milestones will help you shape expectations and plan for your child on a daily basis. The workshop will also focus on ways that parents/caregivers can work with their children to develop these milestones.

Presenters: Shannon Blacker, Doyle Preschool Principal and Krista Popek, Doyle Speech and Language Pathologist

Finding Hope - Mallory's Mental Health Journey (canceled)

Mallory is a young adult who struggled with perfectionism, worries, OCD, depression, suicide ideation, and concerns about her body while in middle and high school. She went to college at Northeastern and thought her challenges would go away, but they just got worse. Hear from Mallory as she shares her story of recovery, how she works to accept herself, and coping skills that work for her. Today, Mallory shares her story across New England, leads workshops about queer identity and mental health, and runs her self-care business.

Presenter: Mallory G, Minding Your Mind

"In Plain Sight": Tour a Teen Bedroom (Session 1 only; will also be available during Coffee Break)

Participants will tour a mock teenager’s bedroom highlighting factors that may indicate substance use, self-harm, and other risky behaviors hidden in plain sight. Parents will be able to see all of the newest products on the market (vapes, Zyns/nicotine pouches, and popular THC and marijuana paraphernalia) 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: Suzanne Burns, WMHS Adjustment Counselor; Matt Malone, WMHS School Resource Officer

Mindfulness to Reduce Stress (Session 2 only)

Join us for an engaging workshop that explores the roots of stress and introduces the transformative power of mindfulness and its many benefits. This session will highlight core principles and practical techniques that enhance well-being, reduce stress, and improve quality of life. Through guided practices and discussions, attendees will learn how mindfulness can increase focus, promote emotional resilience, and foster a sense of peace in our busy lives.

Presenter: Frank Olivieri, mindfulness meditation practitioner

Parent Focus Group (Session 1 only)

The African proverb states that it takes a village to raise a child. Given the changing diversity of Wakefield and our children's learning needs, it is essential to educate students based on their needs and backgrounds. Voice your opinion and help the schools understand the entire picture of our students and how we can adapt our curriculum to become more culturally responsive. Our goal is for the schools, families, and community to work together to help enhance our student’s learning. Enjoy some snacks as we talk through some questions.
Note: this session will be recorded so the information can be downloaded into an analysis program (NVivo) for further evaluation.

Presenter: Sheri Prosperi, WMHS Science Teacher & Doctoral Student

Promoting Healthy Habits for Teens and Tweens

Join us for a discussion on promoting healthy behaviors in our tweens and teens, using insights from the 2023 Wakefield Youth Risk Behavior Survey. We will explore trends in social, emotional/mental, and physical health among our youth. This session will focus on how to have meaningful conversations with your child about challenging topics such as vaping, healthy relationships, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, we will look at ways to identify troubling behaviors and effective interventions.

Presenters: Amy Chiaravalotti and Melissa Tarness, GMS Health Teachers

Science of Reading in Wakefield Elementary Classrooms (Session 2 only)

Join Wakefield Public Schools coordinator, coach and educator to review Literacy initiatives in K - 4 classrooms. We will review the simple view of reading and how it relates to curriculum and instructional materials and assessments.

Presenters: Valerie Drinan, Humanities Coordinator; Michele Labrecque, Humanities Coach; Maria Morgan, Reading Specialist

Special Education Updates (Session 2 only)

This session will provide families with updates on special education programs and services in Wakefield Public Schools. Highlights will include district-wide priorities, initiatives that have been implemented so far this year, and plans for the months ahead. Families are encouraged to attend to ask questions, share feedback, and connect with other parents and guardians.

Presenters: Rosie Galvin, Special Education Director and Shannon Blacker, Doyle Principal

Stress Less: A Workshop for Middle/High School Parents/Caregivers (Session 2 only)

Ready to help your teen stress less? Designed for parents of middle and high school students. Psychologist Linda Price will share easy-to-apply tips, tricks, and tools to help your child de-stress, decompress, and find more balance. Linda will guide you through understanding your child’s stress responses, how to build their coping skills toolkit, and the difference between quick stress relief and long-term self-care.

Presenter: Linda Price, Educational Psychologist (Keynote Speaker)

Supporting Social Challenges for K-5 Youth: A mindful Parenting Approach (Session 1 only)

Parents and caregivers of elementary-age youth to join this program about supporting youth to more effectively manage their big emotions and impulses and build friendships. Linda will address how to help youth handle common experiences, such as losing, taking turns, and waiting in line. There will be plenty of time for your questions. Therapist Linda Price from Minding Your Mind often presents about mindful parenting, a practice that emphasizes keeping your cool and staying connected to the children in your life. She uses a trauma-informed SEL framework to help youth and caring adults navigate difficult emotions and improve their connection through mindful presence.

Presenter: Linda Price, Educational Psychologist (Keynote Speaker)

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Your Life (Session 1 only)

Are an ally to an LGBTQ+ youth or young adult? Are you a parent/guardian or caregiver to an LGBTQ+ youth or young adult? This training will help you to navigate and affirm the youth in your life through support and acceptance. We will go over gender spectrum/fluidity, the mental health crisis, LGBTQ+ terms and ever-changing vocabulary, and finally discuss action steps that you can take to continue to affirm your child through advocacy and empowerment. Come join Tony (he/him) program director at NAGLY (the north shore alliance of lgbtq+ youth in Salem MA to learn more. Hope to see you there!

Presenter: Tony Leone, program director, North Shore Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth (NAGLY)

Supporting Wellness in Student Athletes (*This will be a table during coffee hour)

This workshop equips parents with practical strategies to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their student athletes with a heavy emphasis on athletes' mental health. Areas of discussion include fostering a positive mindset, managing stress, and performance pressure. Parents will leave with tools to help their children thrive both on and off the field.

Presenters: Mike Murphy, Athletic Director and Chris Tolios, WMHS Health Teacher and Department Head

Transition to Middle School

One of the key components and goals of the Galvin Middle School administration is to help ensure a smooth transition to the 5th grade. We know that parents play an important role in their child's transition from their elementary school to middle school and families may have questions/concerns about what happens in middle school. This session will be informative and interactive for incoming 5th grade parents as the administration from the Galvin will describe to parents how the transition process works between the Galvin and the elementary schools, how does the 5th grade work, what does a typical day/week/year look like for 5th graders, and any other questions parents may have about their child's next educational experience within Wakefield Public Schools.

Presenter: Megan Webb and Greg Hurley, Galvin Middle School Administrators

Vision of a Graduate (*This will be a table during coffee hour)

In this workshop, we will explore the concept of a Vision of a Graduate, the collaborative process behind its development, and why it matters. Participants will engage in meaningful discussions about the core skills and attributes embedded in the vision, and we will discuss plans for sharing the vision across classrooms, schools, and the broader community.

Presenters: Meg Delory, WMHS Guidance Counselor and John Hanron, WMHS Science Teacher/Department Head

WMHS Building Project Update (Session 1 only)

We are in the middle of very exciting time in the Wakefield Public Schools! A project that has been years in the making is well underway. We will give an update on the project and timeline the construction of the new Wakefield Memorial High School. Superintendent Doug Lyons and Facilities Director Tim O'Brien will present an overview of the project, review the building progress and expected timeline and highlight the strengths of the improved facility that will serve our WPS students in years to come. There will also be time for questions at the end.

Presenters: Superintendent Doug Lyons and Facilities Director Tim O'Brien

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