Watertown SEPAC - November & December Meetings

The following information was distributed via SEPAC's mailing list:

The Watertown Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) is an all volunteer pro-active, non-profit organization which serves as a resource for families who have children with special needs. We strive for respect, understanding, and an appropriate education for all children while encouraging full participation in community life. We sponsor informational monthly meetings, discussion groups and work closely with administration on all matters related to special education.

SEPAC IS PROUD TO OFFER

FIRST AID AND CPR FOR CAREGIVERS

Thursday November 13, 2014 at 6:30 – 8:30 PM in the Cunniff School library, 246 

First Aid for Caregivers presented by Mr. Richard Samaria of the Belmont Fire 

This two part workshop trains and certifies caregivers in First Aid

Childcare and refreshments will be provided.

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Thursday December 11, 2014 at 6:30 – 8:30 PM in the Cunniff School library, 246 Warren St.

CPR for Caregivers presented by Mr. Richard Samaria of the Belmont Fire 

This two part workshop trains and certifies caregivers in CPR.

Childcare and refreshments will be provided.

We kindly request that you commit to both sessions to receive your first aid and CPR certifications. Class and certification cost is being covered by the Watertown SEPAC.

Please email Watertownsepac@gmail.com to reserve your place.

Kindness Elves

Came across a new blog this weekend:  Imagination Tree and read about an interesting idea, replacing "Elf on the Shelf" with "Kindness Elves".  See what you think~

"Kindness Elves: An Alternative Elf on the Shelf Tradition"

Why Teaching Kindness in Schools Is Essential to Reduce Bullying

Worthwhile read: blog piece on the effects of teaching kindness in schools.  There is a long list of benefits~

Why Teaching Kindness in Schools Is Essential to Reduce Bullying

Helping Kids and Teens Cope with Anxiety: A Workshop for Parents and Guardians

Link to EDCO Collaborative
November 5, 2014
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
     Anxiety is the most common emotional problem in children and teens, and can sidetrack youngsters from learning, making friends and having fun. Does your child worry too much and/or seem intense and reactive? Does your child insist on doing things perfectly or get upset about making mistakes? Does your child get nervous around people or show reluctance to try new things? Or have meltdowns over little things?
     During this presentation, the presenter will discuss the differences between normal anxiety and problematic anxiety, red flags and warning signs, what you can do as a parent, and ready-to-use strategies to help your child. Other topics surrounding anxiety such as worry, shyness, separation anxiety, test anxiety, perfectionism, rituals and others will also be included.

Presenter:  Aureen Pinto Wagner Ph.D.is a sought-after international speaker who presents workshops for parents, school professionals and clinicians in the treatment of anxiety. She specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and has developed the child-friendly Worry Hill™ approach to making CBT accessible to youngsters. Dr. Wagner is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine.
Audience:  Parents and Guardians of students of all ages
Fee:  No cost – participants may consider making a donation of $5 – $10 to help defray the workshop costs.
Location:  EDCO Collaborative, Bedford
Registration:  Please contact Dana at EDCO via email, dmullaley@edcollab.org, or by phone at 781-259-3445.

Me and My Community

This school year, Guidance and Library Sciences will continue in the tradition of co-teaching our guidance series for our Kindergarteners through 5th graders.  (Kudos to Ms. Steim, our amazing librarian!)  We will once again, start with our leaders in grades four and five, spending four weeks talking about friendships, how to approach diversity and differences, and ways to prevent bullying in our school.  Weaving through our discussions will be threads of kindness, courage, and community.  Please visit the Lowell Guidance website for more specifics about the "Me and My Community" series.

On the issue of diversity, I learned something rather interesting this summer while taking a course called "Evolution & Cognition".  There has been some research evidence that we are not wired to be racially biased, although many of us actively categorize people by race and culture.  When shown pictures of "people" in generic shirts and different skin colors, subjects sorted and stored (remembered) the individuals based on their skin tones.  When the pictures had different soccer team uniforms instead of generic shirts, subjects remembered the "people" by their teams, or affiliation/coalition, rather than skin color.  Given the evolutionary history of human, it has always been important to our survival to be able to distinguish if someone belongs to the same "group" as us and whether they are friend or foe.

If we learn to recognize ourselves as a community, whether in the form of a classroom, a grade, a school, a town, etc., we will perhaps put down barriers embedded in perceived differences and be more inclined to be interested and respectful in the differences between us.  Seeing ourselves as a community may also help us engage in civil discourse when conflicts arise and help us multiple our acts of kindness.

SibShops - Presented by Needham Youth Services

Needham Youth Services offers program for Siblings of Children with Special Needs

Do you have a child with special needs? Are you interested in getting support for his or her sibling(s)? Needham Youth Services is excited to present “Sibshops,” a FREE workshop for siblings of children with special needs. “Sibshops” is a place for siblings to obtain peer support and education, in a recreational setting. This workshop is geared towards siblings in 3rd to 6th grade, of children with special needs. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd from 9:30am to 12:30pm. To apply or for more information, please contact Adina Alpert, Clinical Intern at Needham Youth Services at 781-455-7500 extension 268 or by email ataalpert@needhamma.gov.

Preparing for the Boston Marathon Bombings Anniversary

As we enter the month of April, and in doing so approach the date of last year's Boston Marathon and the actual Marathon this year on the Monday of school vacation week, some of us may experience a rise in thoughts and emotions related to last year's difficult events surrounding the Marathon.  Surely we may anticipate images and reporting in the media in the weeks to come.  Please take a minute and visit the page below for some helpful ideas in preparation for these weeks ahead.

Riverside Trauma Center Newsletter - Boston Marathon Bombings Anniversary

I encourage all of us to minimize our children's exposure to the media in the coming weeks, especially for children who tend to be anxious or who are sensitive to their sense of safety.  It is advisable to keep the television off, limit their exposure to news on devises, and refrain from discussing these matters in their hearing.  Children who are anxious tend to be hyperalert.  Even if they are a room away, they may be listening to our conversations, especially if we sound stressed or anxious.

If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to your pediatrician or school counselor.  I am sure they would be happy to help support your family through these times!