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Sessions – 2016 Health Summit

You will come to Gardner knowing what you do at your school and PTA. But you will leave Gardner thinking healthier about the possibilities for your school and PTA, as well as your own leadership abilities.

Workshops will deliver proven ways to:

• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders
• Engage and empower parents to support student success and overall well-being
• Advocate for the needs of every child in your school, community or state
• Develop partnerships that support growth and mission implementation

Plan Your Workshop Itinerary

Browse the catalog of workshop sessions below to plan your itinerary. All workshops will be open seating.

• 9:45 – 11:00 a.m. Session A Choice

  • Session 1: Gender Identity & Expression: Creating Safer Schools-Moderator, Devin Armstrong:Panel Members: Ilene Sharp, Dr. Erik Champy, Jeff Perrotti  A conversation about creating school communities that are safer and more inclusive for all members of the school community. Terminology, resources, the gender unicorn and best practices around LGBTQ+ people and the school setting will be discussed.
  • Session 2: Promoting Prosocial Skills and Reducing Bullying among Elementary Grade Students Using New Digital Tools from ARTHUR-Mary A. HaggertyFor 20 seasons, the characters on ARTHUR have helped to prepare children for school and for life by focusing on key issues that are relevant to their everyday experiences. Come hear from education staff from the WGBH Educational Foundation about new digital tools that focus on social and emotional learning and anti-bullying strategies, timely topics in today’s elementary schools and afterschool programs.
  • Session 3: Move to Improve: Quality Health & Physical Education Programs for Your Child IS a Necessity to Learning! Maria Melchionda, Claudia Brown, Sarah Sparrow BenesLearn about the importance of quality health and physical education programs for your child and how they enhance the academics as integral parts of the core curriculum. Opportunity to learn, meaningful content, and appropriate instruction are the three components of quality physical and health education programs. With these components in place, students improve mental alertness, academic achievement, and enthusiasm for learning. Learn how these programs can positively impact wellness within the school community.
  • Session 4: Dating In a Digital World-Stephanie GuyotteDating In a Digital World -This hands-on workshop provides an overview of teen dating abuse, with a focus on the digital world. Participants will learn the ways social media and online behavior influence today’s dating relationships, including sexting.  The presentation will include information on good digital citizenship and staying safe online. The workshop provides activities to bring information on healthy relationships into the classroom.  Videos from Middlesex Partnership for Youth (MPY) teen dating series are shown.
  • Session 5: Anti-Bias Education: Pathway to Preventing Bullying and Building Resiliency-Phil Fogelman This engaging workshop will explore the ways in which anti-bias education empowers adults, children and adolescents to recognize and address all forms of prejudice and manifestations such as bullying and cyber bullying; support those who are targeted with hurtful behaviors; and actively  promote an inclusive learning environment in which human differences are respected and valued.

11:00 – 12:00 a.m. Session B Choice

• Session 6: Active Kids=Active Minds: PA Before/During School to Boost Student Achievement-Laura BuratiActive Kids=Active Minds! Join us for an interactive session to learn about BOKS (Build Our Kids’ Success) and how schools can empower volunteers to provide physical activity opportunities to students before school, in the classroom, and during recess!  BOKS provides free evidence-based curriculum, program support, and training for schools to enhance student performance through integrating physical activity into the day. We practice what we preach, so come prepared to get moving and have some fun!
• Session 7: What Parents and Students Need to Know: Proper Response and Management for Sports-related         Concussions-Linda Brown/Kathleen Thornton In this session, Linda Brown MBA, the MDPH Program Coordinator of Sports Concussion Activities will provide an overview of the Department of Public Health’s sports concussion regulations, parents’ responsibilities under the regulations and DPH’s clinical and policy guidance to schools when a student has been injured from a sports-related head injury.  Kathleen P. Thornton, MS, LAT, CSCS a Team Leader and Athletic Trainer with Southcoast Hospitals will discuss the crucial role that proper concussion education plays in the recognition and management of concussions.  She will also discuss the treatment of concussion and the gradual return to sport for the concussed student.
• Session 8: Fueling the Future: Giving Children the Nutrition They Need to Learn & Grow-Erin Wholey, RD, LDNGood nutrition can fuel a lifetime of success, but 1 in 5 children in America doesn’t get the food they need each day.  This session will provide tips for feeding children at home and in schools, while exploring ways you can increase access to healthy foods in your community through resources like the School Breakfast and Summer Food Service Programs. Hunger exists in every community. Help make sure ALL students have the nutrition they need to learn and grow!
• Session 9: Gender Identity and Expression: A Personal Perspective-Jeff PerrottiThis workshop will feature students and parents speaking about laws, policies, and best practices for supporting transgender and gender nonconforming students.
• Session 10: A Parent’s Guide to Being a Vaccine Advocate–Rebecca VanucciThis presentation will outline ways that parents can become vaccine advocates in their community. The presentation will include information on the benefits of vaccination, common myths about vaccines, school immunization and exemption data, how to find your local school’s immunization and exemption rates, and effective communication strategies to support vaccines.
  

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Host Facility

The Conference Center at Waltham Woods, Waltham, MA is the official facility for “Facing the Challenges of Mental Health Issues; Keeping Children, Schools, Families and Our Communities Healthy”!

The Conference Center at Waltham Woods
860 Winter Street
Waltham, MA 02451

Transportation

Airport

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
1 Harborside Drive
Boston, MA 02128

Public Transportation

The Alewife Shuttle B runs from the Alewife MBTA Station to the Massachusetts Medical Society Headquarters. To learn more about this service visit: http://128bc.org/alewife-shuttle-route-d/

Driving Directions

Please note: Some GPS navigation systems will bring you to a different location so please follow the directions below.

From The East (Boston and Logan Airport)	West on the Mass. Pike/I90 past the tollbooth and follow the signs for I-95/128 North (Exit 15). Take 95/128 North for approximately 2 miles to Exit 27B (Wyman Street/Winter Street). At the lights, turn right onto Wyman Street. Remain in the right lane and bear right at the yield sign onto Winter Street. Remain in the right lane. (Continue with “Directions for All” below.)
From The West (Worcester)	East on Mass. Pike/I-90 to Exit 14. Keep left past tollbooth and follow the signs for I-95/128 North. Take 95/128 North for approximately 2 miles to Exit 27B (Wyman Street/ Winter Street). At the lights, turn right onto Wyman Street. Remain in the right lane and bear right at the yield sign onto Winter Street. Remain in the right lane. (Continue with “Directions for All” below.)

Special Requests

If you have a condition which requires accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and you require accommodations at the event, please contact the Massachusetts PTA Health Committee at health@masspta.org to describe the condition and the specific nature of the requested accommodations. Massachusetts PTA will provide accommodations in accordance with law.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General Questions

Who:
Registration is open to PTA members, non PTA members, health and education stakeholders of all levels.

What:
Massachusetts Health Summit

When:
November 16, 2017

Where:
The Conference Center at Waltham Woods, 860 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451

Why:
The Summit will have an exceptional audience from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including parents, educators, health and wellness experts, community members, elected officials and our trusted partners, convening to discuss and learn action steps to keep our children, families and communities healthy and safe.

What is the schedule for the Summit?

Please note: The Massachusetts PTA summit schedule is tentative and subject to change. View the agenda for up-to-date changes.

What dates should I book my travel to ensure that I won’t miss any of the Summit?

Plan to arrive Wednesday night and you can experience it all! Summit activities start on Thursday, September 26, 20119 at 7:30 a.m. and conclude by 2:30 p.m.

What can I expect if I attend this year’s Summit / What are the benefits of attending this year’s Summit?

Massachusetts PTA’s Health Summit has an exceptional line-up of health sessions and keynote speakers this year that will help all:

• Learn to work better with principals, teachers and other community and family engagement leaders,
• Increase student health,
• Promote health and safety initiatives for schools and families, and
• Advocate more effectively by learning about the legislative issues facing our children and schools.

In addition, our summit is an opportunity to meet other PTA members and healthcare leaders to share ideas, make new friends, renew acquaintances, and have fun!

What is the dress code?

Attire is business casual. Feel free to be comfortable in slacks, polo shirts, sweaters, blazers, blouses, and, most importantly, comfortable shoes. We do recommend you dress in layers as temperatures in meeting rooms can vary.

What are some recommendations from previous program attendees?

1. Register early
2. Share hotel rooms
3. Wear comfortable shoes
4. If coming with several people, plan out who attends what workshops, forums, coaching sessions, etc. to get the most information that you can take back to share
5. Don’t be shy… talk to members from other areas to get new ideas and best practices

Will there be daycare offered at Convention?

Massachusetts PTA does not provide daycare services as a part of its Health Summit.

Exhibit Questions

What can I expect when attending the Expo at this year’s Summit?

You’ll be able to explore exhibits from companies and nonprofit organizations providing products and services for PTAs and schools. Find the latest information and ideas on child and school safety, health and fitness, education, and much more!

How can I find out if a specific company will be exhibiting at the Health Summit?

Stay tuned for a list complete list of 2019 summit exhibitors.

Registration Questions

How can I register for this year’s summit?

There are three ways to register:

1. Online in Advance (by credit card). Go to Register. It is quick, easy, and secure. Online registration will open in June.
2. Mail in Advance (by check, or money order). Complete the registration form (last page of brochure) and mail it, postmarked by September 10, 2096, along with payment to the address listed on the registration form.
3. On-site. Unfortunately because of counts that need to be submitted to the catering staff we are unable to accept on-site registration. You may pay on-site if you have pre-registered. The Registration Table will open at 7:30 am.

Can summit costs be covered by my PTA budget?

Summit registration fees and travel costs are legitimate expenses that can be included in your PTA budget. Many PTAs budget to attend training programs every year. While other organizations charge hundreds of dollars for a summit like ours – we keep registration fees low to allow as many PTA leaders, families and healthcare professionals as possible to attend. This is just one way Massachusetts PTA invests in its members and volunteer leaders. By seeking sponsors and outside funding to defray the costs of the summit, we can keep registration fees as low as $45 per member and as low as $55 per non-member.

What are this year’s registration rates?

	Regular Rate
Member Full*	$ 50 ea
Member Full – Group (3 Members, must register by July 30)	$125 for 3
Non-member Full	$75 ea

*scholarships are available on an as needed basis for Massachusetts PTA members

How do I register multiple attendees at one time?

Go to register your group now!

Group Rate Discounts
Save on registration rates when registering as a group. 2 or more MEMBERS must register at the same time to be considered a group.

I am NOT A MEMBER. Can I still attend the summit? If so, how much will it cost to attend as a nonmember?

Massachusetts PTA welcomes participation in the summit by non-PTA members. If you are not a PTA member, you are entitled only to the Non-Member rates above.

Registration Confirmation Questions

I have registered for this year’s summit. When and how will I receive my confirmation?

A registration confirmation email will be sent to you at the address provided immediately upon completion of your registration. Your confirmation email will include your registration receipt.

Cancellation Policy Questions

What is Massachusetts PTA’s cancellation policy for summit registrations?

Cancellation Policy

If you register in advance and find you cannot attend the summit, you must cancel your registration and request a refund. Requests for refunds must be submitted by the cancellation deadline of November 10, 2016. Refunds will not be processed after September 10th. Please allow 4-6 weeks for the refund to be issued. Please send your cancellation notice via email to Healthsummit@masspta.org

I can no longer attend this year’s convention – Can I transfer my registration to another person?

Massachusetts PTA will allow transfer of a registration to another person with appropriate notification prior to the start of the summit.

Hotel & Travel Questions

Which hotel is the official Summit Hotel for this year’s Summit? What is cost per night and how do I book?

Special summit rates have been secured for attendees at our official summit hotel:

Summit Hotel:

Embassy Suites by Hilton
550 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451
Direct: 781-487-4240

kathryn.mjos@hilton.com
bostonwaltham.embassysuites.com

Group Rate: $195* single/double for Wednesday Night

Link for MA PTA room block hotel registration

*The rates listed above do not include the state and local taxes.

Rooms and the special rate may not be available after October 30th , so make your hotel reservations early.

I need to change and/or cancel my hotel reservations – what do I do?

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations of reservations (must be made directly with the hotel) within 72 hours of arrival date.

 

Special Needs Questions

If I have special needs, who can I contact?

If you have a condition which requires accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and you require accommodations at the event, please contact Massachusetts PTA Health Committee at healthsummit@masspta.org to describe the condition and the specific nature of the requested accommodations. Massachusetts PTA will provide accommodations in accordance with law.

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Agenda – 2016 Health Summit

Join us for Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures – October 21, 2016 – to connect with some the states most influential healthcare leaders, as well as other parents and educators in Gardner, MA. Below is the Summit Program Guide.

Note: Summit Schedule is subject to change.

View the Summit Program Guide (.PDF).

Summit Events

Friday, October 21, 2016

7:30 a.m.	Registration Opens
7:30 a.m. – 8:10 a.m.	Healthy Buffet Breakfast
8:10 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.	Opening of the Conference: Jackie Coogan, MA PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Chair Jennifer Francioso, MA PTA President Laura Bay, National PTA President Erin Wholey, NEDC/Partner/Gold Sponsor
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.	BOKS, Move and Keeping Fit “Lets Start Moving” – Laura Burati, Program & Training Manager
8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.	Plenary Session: “I’m OK!” Jackie Coogan, MA PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Chair Ayanna Pressley, “Her Story”, Boston City Councilwoman Mary Ann Gapinski, MSN, RN, NCSN, Director School Health Services, MA Dept of Public Health Dr. Erik Champy, Vice President, Massachusetts Teachers Assoc/Partner/Gold Sponsor
10:00 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.	Session A (view session options)
11:00 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.	Session B (view session options)
12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.	Diamond Sponsor Keynote and Lunch Spencer Carver, Mountain America Credit Union/Diamond Sponsor
12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.	BOKS: Fitness Activity “Lets Keep Moving” – Laura Burati, Program & Training Manager
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Closing Keynote Speakers “A Call to Action” Laura Bay, National PTA President Sal DiMomenico, Massachusetts State Senator Dr. Gary Mazzola, Superintendent of Schools, Ashburnham/Westminster Shannon Sevier, National PTA Vice President for Advocacy Presentations with Round Table Discussions – Moderator, Jackie Coogan, MA PTA Health Safety and Wellness Chairperson
2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.	Closing Remarks: Jennifer Francioso, MA PTA President Membership and Keeping Local Units “Healthy”