Parent University

Saturday, November 19, 2022 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | Melrose High School

A morning of workshops for caregivers and community members focused on education, parenting, community engagement, and related topics. Parent involvement leads to higher rates of academic success for children. Melrose Parent University is designed to increase caregivers’ ability to support students, and help both caregivers and community members understand current trends in education.

Parent U is free, registration is required.

Read more about workshops and register below. 

Schedule

Doors open at 8:45am

8:45 - 9:15 Registration, coffee

9:15 - 9:30 Welcome 

9:30 - 10:30 Session 1

10:30 - 10:55 break - coffee, conversation, community tables

11:00 - 12:00 Session 2

Melrose Parent University is brought to you by the Melrose Education Foundation in cooperation with the Melrose Public Schools.

Parent U: Workshop Descriptions

Saving and Paying for College
Target Audience: Grades K - 12
Jeff Bentley, VP, Student Lending at Citizens

College is an investment, but the thought of saving for and financing a college education can be overwhelming for families. Though it’s never too late to begin saving, there are certainly advantages to starting early on in your child’s life. This workshop will discuss college savings options, tips, and different ways to pay for college, including types of financial aid, the FAFSA, student loans and more.

Getting Started: Understanding the College Admission Process
Target Audience: Grades 9 - 11
Tom O'Hare, Founder of Get College Going and a Senior Partner at Pivotal College Years

Applying to college can seem overwhelming and complicated. From building a solid college list, testing, filing applications, essays, showing interest, and more! This workshop presented by Tom O’Hare, College Advisor, will cover the college planning timeline and ways to support your student to make the process less stressful. In addition, supporting documents and checklists for 10th-grade and 12th-grade families will be provided to attendees.

Elementary SEL - Tools You Can Use at Home to Support Your Elementary Learner
Target Audience: Grades K - 5
Jess Patti, Director of Social-Emotional Learning, Melrose Public Schools

 Kids everywhere are suffering mental health and behavioral challenges from the pandemic, and Melrose students are no different. Parents are eager to support their students’ social-emotional growth, especially in ways that support the social-emotional learning (SEL) that happens in schools. This workshop will provide a brief overview of the SEL curriculum and tools used in the Melrose Public Schools, talk about resources for help if your student is experiencing difficulties (whether they are struggling with appropriate behavior or mental health issues, or if they are experiencing things like exclusion or other social struggles) offer parents ways to use similar language and tools at home, and provide helpful tips and resources.

Food For Thought
Target Audience: Grades K - 12
Jenine Wright, Fit Life owner & Nutrition Educator

Chronic illness, disease, behavioral issues and allergies are the highest they have been in our existence.  1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men will get a form of cancer in their lifetime. Heart disease, diabetes, obesity are all diet/lifestyle related and are some of the biggest health concerns in America.

What we eat can be healing or hurting us. Food affects us on a cellular level. Many things we are made to believe are healthy are actually causing more harm. Our food system has changed drastically in the last 100 years and so has our health.From general health to athletic performance nutrition plays the biggest role. With so much misinformation in the media and "experts" it is hard to know what to believe. Come learn the truth about food. Improve your overall quality of life.  Enhance performance and increase energy.  Decrease risk of disease and illness while improving your immune system and empowering yourself with knowledge!

The Nurtured Heart Approach: Transforming Difficult Behaviors / Igniting Success & Greatness in Each Child
Target Audience: All
Sam Healy, LICSW

The Nurtured Heart Approach™ (NHA) is a relationship and success based set of strategies to teach children positive behaviors, self-regulation, and critical life skills within the context of everyday routines and activities. Participants will learn practical strategies and specific techniques to help children transform difficult behaviors and reach their highest potential.

Ready, Set, Go! Getting Involved in your School Community and Beyond
Target Audience: All

There are so many ways to get involved with the Melrose Public Schools, and many different organizations that touch on our schools and students. But what do they each do? If you want to make a positive difference, who do you turn to or share your time with? We’ve pulled together a panel of parents to talk a little about different organizations they’ve been a part of, and answer your questions, parent to parent. 

Sitting with Discomfort - Emotional Flexibility and Your Teen
Target Audience: Grades 6 - 12
Gail Nunes, LMHC, New England Center for OCD and Anxiety

Teens, parents, and educators all report an increase in anxiety among our youth. What can parents do if they are noticing increased anxiety with their own child? This workshop will help parents find the space to allow their kids to take on their own discomfort by learning how to recognize the difference between real and imagined danger.

In this workshop participants will learn strategies to support their children's positive social/emotional growth and development by believing in their ability to sit with their discomfort. Children, young adults, and adults all need opportunities to practice noticing or experiencing how to let discomfort wash over them; to let it be. This kind of mindfulness practice signals the brain that although they may be upset, they are not in any real danger. Learning and understanding the difference between real and imagined danger will help them to diminish their chronic anxiety.

Spreading Fun, Reducing Fear: The Unique Contribution Coaches Can Play in Supporting Anxious Athletes
Target Audience: Grades K-8
Noreen Donovan, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Frank Oliveri, Melrose Recreation Director
Christopher Bellem, Special Education Teacher and Coach

It is commonly understood that physical activity and exercise can reduce stress and anxiety. This panel discussion will review how organized youth sports can support anxious kids and help them thrive. Join panelists to explore how the anxious brain can be both positive and limiting, factors that influence children’s interest in sports and why they sometimes choose to stop playing, and key strategies for coaches to keep kids engaged and participating.

Understanding the Budget: Why It Matters to What We Value
Target Audience: All
Paul Brodeur, Mayor of Melrose

A city’s budget reflects the values of the community. Understanding how the money is allocated, and where it goes and why is critical to taking an active role in our community, particularly when it comes to advocating for changes. This workshop will include an overview of the current state of the City of Melrose budget, gain an understanding of where the money goes, and learn about current needs in the community.