Healthy Living for Everyone: A Unified Voice

With Massachusetts Teachers Association’s (MTA) major sponsorship and partnership, MA PTA is providing a full year of statewide, comprehensive 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.

8:00 am – 9:00 am       Registration, Continental Breakfast and Vendor Exhibit

9:00 am – 10:00 am     Opening Remarks

• Jackie Coogan, Massachusetts PTA BOD, Chair of MA PTA Health Committee
• Jed Wartman, Thayer Academy Assistant Head of School for Student Engagement and Well-Being
• Yvonne Johnson, National PTA President
• Karen DeRoche, Massachusetts PTA President
• Dr. Safdar Medina, Keynote Speaker, Safdar Medina is the Pediatric Director at Tri River Health Center in Uxbridge at an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UMass Chan Medical School

10:00 am – 10:15 am Transition Break

10:15 am – 11:15 am Breakout Workshop Session 1

1. Supporting the Well-Being of LGBTQIA+ Youth and Families with Kimm Topping
2. Building Bridges: The Art and Science of Connecting with Adolescents with Mysha Kuhlmann
3. Supporting the Whole Child: Putting Local Wellness Policies into Practice with Judith Crocker, Nicole Good and Sarah Littmann
4. Peace Play in Urban Settings with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute

11:15 am – 11:30 am Transition Break

11:30 am – 12:30 pm Breakout Workshop Session 2

1. Working Together to Advocate for Healthy Communities Where All Children Can Flourish with Senator Sal DiDomenico
2. Saving Lives With Mental Health Literacy Education with Marissa Carty
3. PTA Connected: Take Charge of Your Digital Life with Cecily Goulange
4. Accessibility and Belonging in Schools and Fitness with Liam Riley and Karen DeRoche

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm    Lunch with Discussion and Learning Panel with Audience Participation Forum:

Moderator, Senator Sal DiDomenico

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm      Networking with Participants, Vendors & Speakers

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

With Massachusetts Teachers Association’s (MTA) major sponsorship, support and partnership, the Massachusetts Parent Teachers Association (MA PTA) aims to provide a full year of statewide, comprehensive health, safety and wellness programs Healthy Living for Everyone: A Unified Voice.

Programming will begin on August 22, “Going Back to School Healthy” including three virtual and hybrid events spaced throughout 2023 – 2024 as well as a more significant Health Symposium scheduled for November 4 2023. All of these will be addressing health-specific needs and concerns in our Massachusetts communities including, but not limited to, healthcare equity and access, food insecurity and nutrition, mental health and well-being, and physical fitness and heart health.

We look forward to creating and fostering A Unified Voice by collaborating with all of our State PTA unit leaders and members, educators, colleagues and community supporters in presenting these programs, thereby creating new and deepening existing partnerships. In particular, we will ensure that the Teacher, the ‘T’ in PTA, will be involved both in learning and presenting, as we recognize the struggles our educators are undoubtedly facing in the classroom during an incredibly challenging period in our Nation’s history. MA PTA recognizes that it does take a whole village to raise the child in building a vibrant and knowledgeable next generation of competent and compassionate leaders, especially in this time of uncertainty, fear, apprehension and loss.

Even now in 2023, as the COVID pandemic lingers, creating havoc and uncertainty in our communities, we are challenged to rethink the manner in which we educate, advocate and partner. It is paramount that our children, educators, families, schools and communities across the Commonwealth be heard and treated with dignity, equity and respect. MA PTA is listening, and we are ready to respond and support.

Save the Date, Mark your Calendars now… and join us on November 4, 2023 for our Health Summit at Thayer Academy in Braintree, MA. REGISTERATION COMING SOON

Information on the Program

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.

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