Family Leadership Conference Workshop Offerings

FAMILY LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

MAY 21, 2016 PLYMOUTH NORTH HIGH SCHOOL The mission of the Family Leadership Conference is to provide training, information and assistance to equip families with strategies to successfully support our children.

The conference is presented by the Plymouth Public Schools in collaboration with many volunteers and community organizations and allows participants the opportunity to learn about positive relationships, curriculum and instruction, parenting, nutrition, wellness and so much more.

STRONG FAMILIES, STRONG SCHOOLS: ENGAGE, EMPOWER, EDUCATE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 8:30-9:00 am 9:00-9:30 am 9:40-10:40 am 10:40-10:50 am 10:50-11:50 am 11:50 am-12:00 pm

MARY ANN STEWART KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Registration/light refreshments Keynote – Mary Ann Stewart Workshop #1 Break Workshop #2 Complete feedback survey

Mary Ann Stewart is a parent of three and a strong advocate for children and families. She is the Parent Representative on the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and she also serves as the Northeast Area Representative on the Board of the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). Mary Ann is a past State President of the Massachusetts PTA (2010-2012) and Member and Chair of the Lexington School Committee (2009-2014). From 2011-2014, Mary Ann served as Chair of the Board of MassPartners for Public Schools, a coalition of the six statewide education associations and Massachusetts PTA.

WORKSHOPS Presentations are offered at varying levels (elementary, middle, middle/high, all levels). Locations are listed for each presentation below. Volunteers are available to help with directions to these locations.

ELEMENTARY Building a Positive Parent/Teacher Partnership Presenters LeaAnne Doyle, Federal Furnace Elementary Counselor Liz Gummow, Federal Furnace Elementary Teacher Scott Pease, Federal Furnace Elementary Teacher Level(s) – Elem Location – Room 216 Presenters will discuss why it is important to build a parent/teacher partnership, how to approach and interact with your child’s teacher/school, and how to handle difficult situations with your child’s teacher/school. Adequate time will be provided for questions and discussion.

Learning Stewardship Presenter: Nancy Stearns – Founder, Director, and Educator Woodside School Level(s) – Elem Location – Room 217 The Woodside School has been created as an interactive learning environment for young children to develop an understanding of the larger meanings of life and the importance of stewardship. Goals emphasize respecting children’s learning through interaction with other children, adults, and the environment; empowering families to meet the needs of their children; creating ongoing support systems within the community, and strengthening the community’s ability to best serve families.

Supporting Early Literacy Development at Home Presenters Natalie Lacroix-White, Plymouth Public Schools Literacy Coach Jennifer Yaeger, Plymouth Public Schools Literacy Coach Level(s) – Elem Location – Room 218 Participants will learn a variety of strategies for helping children develop into strong and confident readers and writers. It can be fun too!

Understanding Elementary Mathematics Presenters Jennifer Marchesiani, Plymouth Public Schools Mathematics Coach Jennifer Powers, Plymouth Public Schools Mathematics Coach Level(s) – Elem Location – Room 219 Do you want to learn how to help your elementary-aged child with math? Come see how to build your child's number sense through games and activities that you might already have at home!

MIDDLE SCHOOL Middle School Transitions Presenters Michael Canavan, Plymouth South Middle School Counselor Steven Morgenweck, Plymouth South Middle School Principal Level(s) – HS Location – Room 243 The middle school years are full of changes for kids--and their parents. Come learn about the social, emotional, and academic transitions students will experience between grades 5-8 and how parents can support their children through these pivotal years.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL Prevention Resources and Education for Parents (PREP) Presenter: Traci Wojciechowski, Regional Director of Caron Treatment Center Level(s) – MS, HS Location - 224 This program is facilitated by professionals in the field of addiction treatment. Program objectives include: provide information on effects and consequences of gateway drugs and other drug trends; empower parents with effective communication skills when talking with their children about alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; review importance of establishing clear rules and consequences at home regarding substance use; and evaluate resiliency factors that help protect kids from substance abuse.

The Road to High School and Beyond Presenters Kathleen Collins, Plymouth South High School Teacher Patricia Fry, Plymouth South High School Principal Marc Loranger, Plymouth South High School Assistant Principal Lindsay Saba, Plymouth South High School Counselor Level(s) – MS, HS Location - 226 Entering high school can be an overwhelming experience for students and families. This presentation will focus on intentional activities and programs that are in place at Plymouth high schools to ensure smooth transitions for students entering grade nine. Details about Freshmen Academy will be shared, as well as testimonials from high school parents. In addition to strategies in the early years of high school, we will also share data regarding the transition to life after high school and how the district works to prepare students for their future pathways.

ALL LEVELS Building Relationships with Decision-Makers Presenters: Stephanie Gray, Massachusetts PTA President Kim Hunt, School Committee Secretary Mary Ann Stewart, Parent Representative on the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Level(s) – Elem, MS, HS Location – Room 241 Decisions made at local, state, and national levels affect our lives and schools on a daily basis. If we are not influencing those decisions, we leave our future in the hands of others. Developing relationships with School Committee members and other elected officials and state policymakers are important ways to have a positive impact in strengthening our schools.

Developmental Assets in Children Presenter: Old Colony YMCA Level(s) – Elem, MS, HS Location – Room 233 YMCA Day Camp uses the Asset Approach to helping kids learn, grow, and thrive. The Developmental Assets® are forty common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible, successful adults.

From Chaos to Calm: Supporting Your Child with ADHD Presenter: Deborah Booth, PACES Director for the Plymouth Area Collaborative Level(s) – Elem, MS, HS Location – Room 229 Participants will gain an understanding of ADHD in children and teens. This interactive workshop will provide opportunities for shared discussions surrounding the challenges students face with attention, focus, impulsivity, executive functioning skills and behavior regulation. Learn strategies to manage stress, improve attention, reduce meltdowns, capitalize on strengths and increase self-esteem.

Exploring Social Media Presenter: Emily Goonan, Plymouth Public Schools Media and Communication Specialist Level(s) – Elem, MS, HS Location – Room 230 Explore the world of social media, review tips for safe social networking, and learn about digital guidelines to safeguard our students.

Hidden in Plain Sight Presenter: Amy LeFort, Program Coordinator Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative Level(s) – Elem, MS, HS Location – Room 235 This presentation attempts to illustrate to the audience the many creative ways employed by today’s youngsters to avoid detection by their parents of their substance abuse.

Learning Through Gardening Presenter: Jacqueline M. Millar, Co-Founder and Director of Education for Terra Cura, Inc. Level(s) – Elem, MS, HS Location – Room 239 Gardens connect students to where their food comes from as well as exposing them to healthy eating opportunities. Community gardens are also an opportunity to build strength among a group and allow families to be outside and experience nature together. We will discuss what permaculture is and how its principles can be used in our everyday lives. The benefits of a garden and how gardening can present many learning opportunities for a school will be included, as well as how gardening fosters learning in science and math more completely. Terra Cura will also provide a hands-on seed starting opportunity for participants that reuses a household item to keep it out of the trash stream.

Plymouth Public Schools’ Student Digital Learning Presenters Kerri Camirand, Technology Integration Specialist Julia Colby, Coordinator of Technology and Instructional Media Jeff Hudson, Technology Integration Specialist Linda Lonergan, Technology Integration Specialist Level(s) – Elem, MS, HS Location – Room 260 (Lecture Hall) Delve into the world of educational technology. Explore Google Apps for Education and other digital tools your children are using in the classroom to create, collaborate, and communicate.

Traveling Around Town Presenter: Patti Waitkevich, GATRA Travel Trainer Level(s) – Elem, MS, HS Location – Room 245 This program will share information about the GATRA public bus system used in the Plymouth community. The presenter will share benefits of using public transportation, as well as eliminate concerns that often hold people back from using public transportation.

What are Plymouth Students Learning?

Presenters Kathleen Babini, Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator Kelly Bitinas, Mathematics Curriculum Coordinator Christopher Campbell, Assistant Superintendent Administration and Instruction Michael Caple, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator Alison Riordan, Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Coordinator Lisa White, English Language Arts and Library Media Curriculum Coordinator Level(s) – Elem, MS, HS Location – Room 247 This program will share Plymouth’s values and expectations regarding curriculum. The group will present focus points for various content areas and keys to bridging the gap between curricula and home.

This is Plymouth’s first annual Family Leadership Conference. It is our hope that the interest for this annual event continues to grow. If you are interested in helping shape the direction of this annual conference or participating as a presenter/volunteer, please contact Christopher Campbell, Assistant Superintendent Administration and Instruction at 508-830-4300 or ccampbell@plymouth.k12.ma.us

Plymouth Public Schools’ Strategic Plan Academic Years 2016-2020 Goal 1 Enhance student social and emotional growth, health and welfare, and demonstration of civic responsibility.

• Raise the percentage of students demonstrating behaviors that contribute to a positive learning environment and social culture.

• Increase the number of students who participate in authentic service-learning opportunities.

Goal 2 Increase family and community engagement.

• Strengthen family participation in schools and in student learning and development.

• Enhance communication between school, home and the community-at-large.

• Enhance community and family awareness of the educational partnership between Plymouth, MA and Plymouth, UK (400th) and other global partners.

Goal 3 Enhance academic achievement of all students at all levels.

• Expand student access and exposure to current technology and real-world applications.

• Increase academic performance for all students.

Goal 4 Provide strong district and school leadership.

• Provide a cohesive and collaborative approach to school and District leadership.