Information on the Webinar Series
Massachusetts PTA is the organization that solves the toughest problems and creates valuable tools for schools, families, and students. Join the excitement and be a part of our latest Health, Safety and Wellness programming – Healthy Living for Everyone – A Unified Voice! During this three part, year long program you will connect with some of the state’s most influential healthcare leaders, as well as other parents and educators with us on Zoom and in person. All webinars are being presented at no-cost to you thanks to our sponsors. Webinars will be pre-recorded so you can view them on your schedule but you do need to register to receive the link to the webinar when it is posted.
Schedule for Webinars (register here to receive link access to webinar):
Supporting the Whole Child: Putting Local Wellness Policies into Practice; presented by Judy Crocker, Statewide Coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program & Sarah Littmann, MS, RD is the director of food and nutrition for Triton Regional School District & Nicole Goode, School Wellness Specialist at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Investing time in school wellness helps students thrive in the classroom and community. While many Massachusetts schools have a Local Wellness Policy, putting policy into practice can be challenging. Join Massachusetts’ Safe Routes to School, DESE’s School Wellness Specialist, and Triton Regional Schools as they dive into best policy practices around nutrition, physical education, and active transportation.
Accessibility & Belonging in Schools & Fitness, presented by Liam Riley, Senior Program Leader, Northeast Team, Booster Enterprises. This presentation delves into the ideas, stories and reflection involving how we can use our strengths and backgrounds to better cultivate a sense of inclusivity and affirmation of students across schools nationwide in academic and athletic contexts.
Working Together to Advocate for Healthy Communities Where All Children Can Flourish, Presented by Massachusetts Senator Sal DiDomenico
Senator DiDomenico has been a vocal advocate of ensuring high quality and accessible early education and care for children in the Commonwealth, tackling environmental injustice, improving economic opportunities for working families, fighting food insecurity in our communities, increasing public education funding, and providing world-class healthcare for all children and their families in Massachusetts.
Peace Play in Urban Settings, presented by McCawley Bercy (MC), Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s (LDBPI) Community Outreach Coordinator. Peace play is a form of sandtray therapy where individuals are encouraged to reflect on their own strengths and struggles without using words. The workshop we will be providing is a hands on healing modality based on sand tray world play therapy and the use of miniatures. This is a culturally relevant modality that offers an alternative to traditional talk therapy. We will be going through a Peace play session, explain the clinical side, how our organization has adapted it and an experiential section where participants try on the process.
Saving Lives With Mental Health Literacy Education; presented by Marissa Carty, Program Development & Marketing Manager for Mental Health Collaborative. Save lives with mental health education! Mental Health Collaborative is a 501(c)3 dedicated to building resilient communities through mental health education & awareness. At this session, learn the basics of mental health literacy: decreasing stigma, understanding illnesses, promoting positive mental health, and accessing care. In addition to teaching you the core concepts of mental health literacy, we will review our evidence-based school programming, including our educator training, student curriculum, coaches training, and parent/caregiver training.
PTA Connected: Take Charge of Your Digital Life; presented by Cecily Goulange, National PTA Connected MA State Champion. Raising children can be fraught with challenges, especially in an evolving digital world. PTA Connected provides tools, workshops and support to help families in your community navigate raising children in the digital age. This presentation will highlight how families can work together to find balance and digital wellness through these free National PTA programs, as well as program help available across the state with our PTA Connected State Champion.
Adolescent Substance Use: Screening, Prevention, and Treatment; Presented by Dr. Safdar Medina Adolescent Substance Use is a major public health concern. Use of nicotine products, cannabis products, and alcohol, continue to be prevalent among teens. Some go on to use other drugs, including opioids. Screening and prevention are key. Treatment options exist, including motivational interviewing and medication. This presentation will provide an overview of recent trends and discuss strategies to help parents and educators.
“Teaming up with Health and School Professionals for School Success: Pearls on Accessing Special Ed Services”; Presented by Dr. Mary Beth Miotto, MD, MPH, FAAP Pediatrician, Mattapan Community Health Center and President MCAAP
With Massachusetts Teachers Association’s (MTA) major sponsorship and partnership, MA PTA is providing a full year of statewide, compressive health, safety and wellness programming. Healthy Living for Everyone: A Unified Voice includes four virtual and hybrid events throughout 2023 – 2024 addressing health specific needs and concerns in our Massachusetts communities including healthcare equity and access, food insecurity and nutrition, mental health and wellness, and physical fitness and heart health.
Don’t miss the opportunity to:
- Get Healthy Ideas to use at School and Home
- Be inspired by Healthy Thinkers
- Learn new ways to make your Family, School, and Community Healthy
