These “Health and Safety Champion” webinars are great for your state leaders, potential state leaders and/or anyone interested in our PTA mission.  We all know, healthy, safe students will better reach their greatest potential!  Please feel free to distribute this message widely.

Register for the next Health Webinar:

This two part webinar series by acclaimed Author and Speaker, Karen Gross, addresses how we, parents and educators, can work with our children and students to deal with mental health issues from trauma, anxiety, depression and fear. In addition to the educational webinar, Karen Gross, is including a complimentary copy of her book and written material in pdf format. 

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Webinar Session 1 Feb. 7, 2022 Zoom Event Time: 7:00 pm. — 8:00 pm (ET) Register Here

Title: How Reading Trauma Sensitive Children’s Books to and with Students Helps Them Thrive
The first of two sessions (one can enroll in one or both) will focus on trauma sensitive books for younger students (Grades K — 6).  In addition to reading a story written by Karen Gross, participants will learn the “layer-cake” approach to trauma sensitive reading. In addition to the story itself, children’s books can serve as launch pads for drawing, dancing, design, dilemma solving and discourse (the 5 D’s). Concrete examples will be provided and demonstrated; parents and educators can take these strategies home and use them immediately with the PDF of the book they receive upon registration.  In difficult times, reading to, with and by children takes on added significance.

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Webinar Session 2 March 7, 2022 Zoom Event Time: 7:00 pm. — 8:00 pm (ET) Resister Here

The second session will focus on books/ poems/ stories written for older students (middle and beginning high school). Attendees will learn about a host of collateral activities that can be used to augment the power of the written word.  These include the student creation of games, songs, dances; these works also enable research and discussion between students and parents/teachers. Written words are a profound launch pad and the topics within them enable students (even for non-readers) to address their feelings, their creativity and their problem solving skills, all of which are impaired by trauma. For the disengaged older student, struggling with the continuation of the Pandemic and the ways in which it impedes their freedom, books/ poems/ stories can help us travel within our minds and with our friends.

Fee for Webinars:

You may attend one or both sessions. A single webinar is $10.00 or both for $15.00. If any PTA member feels the cost of attendance is a hardship please contact health@masspta.org for information and assistance. 

Youth Mental Health Crisis in Massachusetts Webinar held on April 29, 2021, hosted by our Advocacy Committee in collaboration with our Health Safety and Wellness Committee, a frank discussion on the youth mental health crisis in Massachusetts and what we can do to support our children. Designed for Health Care Professionals, Legislators, Elected Officials, Educators and Parents.

Anxiety, Depression, In Patient vs Out Patient Services, Emergency Room Issues, Preventive Methods, Legislative Remedies, and School Transition Services are some of the topics to be discussed. Panelists include: Massachusetts Senate President, Karen Splika; Massachusetts Representative Mathew Muratore; Safdar Medina, MD, FAAP; Zheala Qayyum, MD, MMSC, and John Crocker, M.ED.

Held on May 20th, 2020 at 7:30 pm EST Click Here for the recording of this webinar. Here is a PDF version of the slides: Vaping Webinar Slides with Dr. Hartman

Victims, Vapers and a Virus! Covid and Vaping, both harmful, both dangerous: Combating Both! is a presentation for parents and caregivers, focusing on dangers and the issues of both being “deadly” risks! What do we do?

How can we help, protect, care and prevent as a “community of people, both individuals and collectively.”

In addition, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and get concrete answers for practical steps they can take in real time – who has time to wait?

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Watch this video to learn about the new tobacco law in Massachusetts.

On June 1, 2020 flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes (like Kool, Newport, and menthol Pall Mall) and flavored little cigars will no longer be sold in Massachusetts stores. This means there will be no more flavored tobacco products sold at retailers like corner stores, gas stations, and smoke shops. Watch the video below to learn why.

Downloadable Slide Presentation: NMKW Campaign Webinar 5.21.20

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January 28th 2020 at 8:00 pm EST Are screen devices chipping away
at your child’s building blocks to success?

Link to recording of webinar, Link to Download PowerPoint Presentation Slides

Parents want the best for their children – academic and career success near the top of the list. But, just as Big Tech tells us they have all the answers, they are also manipulating kids with data-collecting games and learning apps, and advertising from social media influencers which is disguised as content. Join Jean Rogers and David Monahan of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) for a deep dive into just what developmental pieces are being eroded when children develop excessive and screen habits—and specific ideas on what parents and teachers can do to minimize the impact.

Take home skills:

• How apps are manipulating children by exploiting their trust in beloved characters for profit.
• How CCFC is protecting children’s privacy through advocacy at the FTC and partnership with other organizations.
• How for-profit online preschools are displacing critical play-based programs that develop executive functioning skills, social-emotional learning and essential whole body activities for coordination, self-regulation, and strength.
• How AI is reducing kids’ ability to think critically and become problem solvers.
• How the Children’s Screen Time Action Network supports practitioners, educators, and parents who want to learn more and take action.

Speakers are:

Jean Rogers heads up the Children’s Screen Time Action Network, a coalition of practitioners, educators, advocates and parents working to reduce children’s excessive use of digital devices and restore a developmentally healthy childhood. Author of Kids Under Fire, she has been giving Kids Media Diet workshops, writing and speaking about children’s screen use since 2002. She holds a Masters’ in Education and a Certificate in Parenting Education from the Wheelock College. Previously, Jean worked as a writer and communications consultant both in high tech and nonprofit settings. She joined CCFC in 2016, inspired by the work of founder Susan Linn and the organization’s capacity to prevent commercialism from usurping children’s character, habits, and creativity.

David Monahan is Campaign Manager for the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, or CCFC.  David plans and implements CCFC’s campaigns which oppose child-targeted marketing, and he builds partnerships with lawmakers, policymakers, and other advocacy groups. David was an Assistant Attorney General in the Consumer Protection Division of the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General for 15 years, including six years as Deputy Division Chief. He sits on the Board of Directors at Northeast Legal Aid, and the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling.

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February 28^th 2019 at 7:30 pm EST Prescription Opioid Epidemic: Know the Facts

 Register Here

The American Medical Society Alliance (AMAA), in collaboration with the American Medical Association, recognize the severity of our nation’s opioid epidemic. Together we strive to educate communities about possible causes, dangers and provide educational resources. 

The webinar will… 

• Address the on-going issue of opioid misuse. 
• Educate parents on the importance of communicating the risks of prescription drug misuse to their middle school aged child. 
• Encourage safe storage and disposal of prescription drugs. 
• Allow parents to gain awareness of the signs indicating substance abuse. 
• Provide resources for the parent if their child has a problem.

Be sure to join us!https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7732845882946397955

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March 28^th 2019 at 7:30 pm EST Healthy Lifestyles and the Importance of SHACs

Register Here
As state leaders, we know that health and academics are definitely related. We’ve also heard a lot about educating the “Whole Child”.  Join us as we discuss what the “whole child” approach means for education and our children, where the state leader fits in and how to ensure families are included. We will also talk about School Health Advisory Councils (SHACs). What they are? How do they function? Are parents included?  What is the state PTA’s role?  
Don’t miss this important webinar!
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2824562204193425665

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May 23^rd 2019 at 7:30 pm EST Strategically Planning for a Mission Focused Year

Register Here
The National PTA Mission Engagement Committee hosted a year’s worth of webinars around important issues affecting our children.  These are the very issues that motivated our founders over 120 years ago. Join use as we wrap up our 2018-2019 series by discussing ways to strategically plan for a mission engaged 2019-2020 year.  We will share ways to use data, important community issues, and pressing current events to motivate, give focus to and help fund our on-going PTA work. 
Join us as we wrap up a successful year!
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/121623837652456243

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Link to January webinar and materials can be found here. 

Thank you for registering for and/or attending our recent webinar on Advocate for Health: Immunization and HPV – Why is it All Necessary?.  A special thanks to our amazing speakers, Dr. Richard Moriarty and Jill Seaman.  We truly appreciate you!  Jill, you are an inspiration to us all as you honor your husband’s beautiful memory with your advocacy efforts.  Dr. Moriarty, thank you for the incredible information delivered in such a passionate manner.    

• The recording may be viewed via this link.  Feel free to distribute.  It will make you register before it lets you view.  
  • https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1725499177161529857
• Webinar materials may be viewed via this link.  
  • https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zhnpkzlth6tw8dq/AADl3w1aJ3Yo9YeucqvqsWyka?dl=0
  • National PTA resolutions related to this topic can be found via this link as well

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Here is the follow up for the November webinar, in case you missed it.

Addressing mental health in our schools can be complicated and overwhelming. How do State PTA best fit in? How can we make the biggest difference and how do we get started? Hear from a state consultant to school psychologists and a past state president as they discuss everything you need to know.

Mental Health and The Role of The State PTA

(please fill out registration to view)

Download shared materials from webinar.

Speakers

• Lynn Makor – School Psychologist
• Consultant Sharon Goldblatt – Past State President

Listen and Learn with us as we hear from the mental health experts…

• What is mental health?
• What to consider when discussing mental health in our schools?
• What does the data tell us?
• What are the facts? How do we use the data to prioritize our efforts?
• What advocacy efforts have had/might have the greatest impact?

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In case you missed the October webinar, you can watch it here:

October 25th, 2018: The Vaping Crisis in Our Youth

There is a disturbingly high increase in the number of teens using e-cigarettes. The market has exploded, by promoting appealing flavors and discreet design, but leaving long term and harmful consequences. Join us as we discuss the data, the effects and what we can do!

Our speakers are experts in the field.  Joining us…

Marcella Bianco: With over 14 years of tobacco prevention work experience Marcella has built relationships with local, state and National partners to change policy and social norms around tobacco.  In 2005, she worked for Floridians for Youth Tobacco Education to pass Amendment 4 which restored funding for statewide tobacco prevention. For 9 years she worked for the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County as the Tobacco Prevention Program Manager. In 2015, she continued her work in tobacco prevention as the Tobacco Prevention Program Director for the State of Tennessee.  Currently, she manages the CATCH My Breath Program.

Lorrie F. Odom, MD:  After a challenging but rewarding 37-year career as a pediatric oncologist, 31 years of which were at the University of Colorado Department of Pediatrics, Lorrie has devoted much of her retirement to pursuing a second passion, that of advocating for youth wellness and safety.  She does volunteer work with many organizations dedicated to this goal, most importantly, Colorado PTA, where she is co-chair of the Health, Wellness, and Safety Committee.  She also serves on the Boards of Colorado and Jefferson Council PTAs, the Colorado School Safety Resource Center, and Smart Colorado, and participates in her school district Health Advisory Council Steering Committee and several advisory groups in Jefferson County Public Health including the Communities That Care initiative, the Food Policy Council, and as co-chair of the Tobacco Free Jeffco Alliance.  She also cherishes time with her husband, two sons, their wives, and three young grandsons.

Yvonne Johnson: Yvonne has been working as an education consultant for the past 20 years. Additionally, She is a cheerleading coach at the local High School since 2012. Formally, she served as a Human Resource Director and worked in retail as a district manager. In her work as a Family Engagement Consultant, she works with under-represented populations.  She works very closely with families to promote involvement in their child’s education and to educate them on education issues and I foster and develop leaders.  As a grant writer for the RCEF, she ensures that programs receive the funding for the populations that it serves. Grant writing affords her the opportunity to be on top of the current needs of the schools. PTA is a very large part of her  life. Advocacy is her passion and it is what motivates her. Encouraging parents to speak up for their children and on issues that affect education is her passion. She has been at the forefront of many advocacy efforts both locally and nationally.   Recently,  she lead a successful advocacy campaign that would mandate funding for basic special education grades kindergarten to third grades and abolish lead paint use in all structures in Delaware. She lead a coalition of community partners and educated families on the benefits of these bills.  She is a strong believer that parents are the “P” in public education. She lives by the motto “Never Underestimate the Power of a Parent’s Voice!”  Yvonne is married and has three grown children and one grandchild.

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Here is the follow up for the September webinar, in case you missed it.

I would like to say a huge thank you to Jackie and Debbie for their great webinar in August.  They truly did a fantastic job.  Jackie even showed up from a hospital bed.  And a special shout out to Stephanie Gray, past Mass State President for jumping in and helping.  Watch the recording and view the resources from the links below.  Great way to kick off our series ladies!

The recording may be viewed here.  Feel free to distribute.

All the materials are available for preview in Dropbox Here

How to Put on a Summit

These “Health and Safety Champion” webinars are great for your state leaders, potential state leaders and/or anyone interested in our PTA mission.  We all know, healthy, safe students will better reach their greatest potential!  Please feel free to distribute this message widely.