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Events
Unless otherwise specified, all programs begin at 7:00 p.m. Check back for any updates or cancellations. For directions, click on the location of the event below. Tickets may be purchased at the door the night of each event. If school is closed the day of the event due to snow, then the event will be cancelled/rescheduled.
 Download the calandar.
| Past Presentations |
| Consuming Kids: The Commercialization Of Childhood |
Dr. Susan Linn, Co-Founder & Director, Campaign For A Commercial-Free Childhood, and the Westford Health Department |
| Fiscal Responsibility: What Parents Need To Teach Kids About Money |
Christine Cournoyer, Westford Academy Teacher/Business |
| Be An Advocate For Your Children |
Attorney Ray Wauford in partnership with the Westford Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) |
| Positive Parenting Works: Dealing With Self-injurious Behaviors, Anxiety, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder |
Dianne Walsh, LICSW, and Sue Hanly, RN, NCSN.
"A compelling presentation."
"I learned so much about preventative steps to take on a daily basis to help my child deal with her chronic anxiety. These two professionals make a powerful pair. They are real and effective. Thank you Diane and Sue!" |
| Upstanders, Bystanders and Bullies |
Lyle Cogen |
| Letting Your Kids Go Without Losing Your Marbles |
Joani Geltman [event handout] |
| Taking Back Childhood: Helping Your Kids Thrive In A Fast-Paced, Media-Saturated, Violence-Filled World |
Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Ed.D. A professor at Lesley University in Cambridge, Dr. Carlsson-Paige is a renowned early childhood development expert with 30 years of teaching, researching, and writing about young children. |
| Discussion on Bullying |
Principals from the Westford Public School system and a representative from the Westford Police Department were on hand to answer parents’ questions. |
| The Parents We Mean To Be |
Dr. Richard Weissbourd, child and family psychologist and faculty member of Harvard’s School Of Education and Kennedy School Of Government; author of the book, The Parents We Mean To Be: How Well-Intentioned Adults Undermine Children’s Moral And Emotional Development. |
Dealing With Depression
|
Sue Hanly, RN, her daughter Caroline, and Dianne Walsh, LICSW, shared their experiences and expertise.
Handouts:
|
| Building Resilience: Giving Children Roots And Wings |
Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg |
Helping Kids Thrive: Bullying Prevention
Download the handouts. |
Lisa Sjostrom, Ed.M., founder and director of Helping Kids Thrive, returned to Westford to present Helping Kids Thrive: Bullying Prevention. |
| Pressured Parents, Stressed-Out Kids: Dealing With Competition While Raising Kids |
Wendy Grolnick, Ph.D. |
| Nutrition: Fostering A Healthy Relationship With Food |
Margaret Wandrey, clinical nutrition manager, Lowell General Hospital; Dr. Joan Eagan, pediatrician, Pediatrics West; and Kim Humphrey, health and wellness teacher, Blanchard Middle School. |
| Mad...Sad...Bad! Helping Young Children Deal With Strong Feelings |
Deborah Weinstock-Savoy, Ph.D. returned to discuss a major developmental challenge for toddlers and preschoolers. |
| Patch Adams -
What Parents And Children Can Do Together To Heal Our Healthcare System |
The Good Doctor, founder of the Gesundheit Institute, and leading light in the field of healthcare shares his powerful message of the importance of caring. |
| Responding vs. Reacting To Your Kids: Key Principles and Techniques For Effective Strength-Based Parenting |
Charlie Appelstein, MSW; discussed ways for parents to keep their cool and respond appropriately to their children. |
| Cyber Safety |
|
| Talking To Your Kids About Sex |
Sally Fogel, M.Ed., AASECT-certified sexuality educator. Ms. Fogel gave parents the tools they need to have an ongoing conversation about sexuality, relationships, values, and more. |
| Adolescent Psychology - The Parent Version |
Joani Geltman, a therapist, parenting consultant, and coach for more than 30 years, is an expert in child development and parent-teen relationships. Her presentation covered the physical, cognitive, and social/emotional changes that occur in adolescence. She shared her extensive experience with helpful advice, practical techniques, and a refreshing sense of humor. |
| Double Jeopardy: Underage Drinking And Marijuana |
Marilyn Belmonte, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist and Drug Abuse Recognition Specialist demonstrated just how prevalent alcohol and marijuana use are in young people, and why kids turn to drugs, what the warning signs are, and what parents can do to keep the lines of communication open and keep their kids safe. |
| Dealing With Depression |
Join Sue Hanly, RN, NCSN, and other members of the the Westford Mental Health Collaborative featured a 30-minute documentary, Breaking Free From Depression, which showcased real teens who have struggled with depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. In addition, a short video explaining the SOS (Signs Of Suicide) Program was shown. |
| 2008– 2009 |
| Raising Financially Responsible Kids |
Kathleen Dollard, certified financial planner with Nashoba Financial Planning, gave parents the tools they need to ensure that their children are financially responsible. |
| Birth Order And Its Impact On Parenting |
Jack Agati has more than 25 years experience as a speaker and trainer, in both personal and professional development. |
Get Educated About Keeping Your Children Safe |
This one-hour dynamic presentation included facts on strangers, abusive relationships, acquaintance rape, and pedophiles, common misconceptions about who is at risk and from whom. Parents learned techniques for sharing the vital information that they learn with their children. For more information, please contact Debbie Carter at dbrcarter@comcast.net. |
| Enjoy Your College-Bound Adolescent! |
Kathyrn Yamartino, Ph.D., has practical, compassionate advice on how to balance the necessity of letting go with the desire to stay connected in an appropriate way. |
| Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Results Forum |
The community was invited to discuss the results of this school year’s survey. |
| Anger Management For Parents |
Donna Shea, director of the Peter Pan Center in Harvard, MA, focused on parents’ anger and the need to manage our own anger appropriately. |
| Parenting As A Team: That’s Not How I was Raised! |
Deborah Weinstock-Savoy, Ph.D., presented a look at how couples’ approaches to parenting can be very different. |
| Social Adjustments In Middle School |
Guidance counselors from Blanchard and Stony Brook were on hand to lead informal discussions regarding social issues in middle school. |
| Parenting Strategies For Children With Weak Executive Functioning |
Dr. Ann Helmus, clinical neuropsychologist; download the presentation. |
| Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Let's Talk About It |
Producer Jeanne Blake, former WBZ-TV medical reporter, led an informative discussion addressing depression, anxiety, and stress among young people. |
| Study Skills |
Liz Benstead, M.Ed., academic support coach at Blanchard Middle School, outlined strategies to help parents help their children be more organized and learn vital homework and study skills. |
| 2007– 2008 |
| The Pressured Child |
Dr. Michael Thompson
www.michaelthompson-phd.com/ |
Social Smart Kids
|
Nadine Briggs of socialsmartkids.com |
Raising Resilient, Self-Reliant Kids
Sara Lane
|
www.parentsprepare.com |
Anger Management
|
Donna Shea |
Friend Or Foe? Sibling Rivalry
Deborah Weinstock-Savoy |
This event was for parents of elementary students. |
| Health Curriculum Overview, John Lyons |
www.westford.mec.edu/wa/health/ |
| I Never Would Have Talked To My Parents That Way |
Dr. Anthony Wolf |
| Helping Kids Thrive: Bullying Prevention |
Lisa Sjostrom
www.helpingkidsthrive.org/ |
| Generation RX |
Marilyn Belmonte
www.drugabuserecognition.com |
| Playful Parenting |
Dr. Lawrence Cohen
www.playfulparenting.com |
| Study Strategies and Homework Help |
Joan Finger, an educational consultant and tutor in Bolton. |
2006 – 2007 |
Social Adjustments In Middle School |
Blanchard and Stony Brook guidance counselors |
Internet Safety And Families |
Beth Fredericks, Families First |
Bully Out! |
Doug Wilhelm, Author Of The Revealers |
Teens And Depression: A Panel Discussion |
Dr. Joan Eagan, Pediatrician, Pediatrics West
Dr. Kayoko Kifuji, Medical Director, Psychiatry, Tufts-NEMC
Mark Lucey, Director, WA Guidance Department
Molly Salans, LICSW, Transitions Counseling Center |
| Too Sexy, Too Soon: Sexualization in the Media |
Diane Levin, professor at Wheelock College and expert on the negative impact of the media on children |
Perpetrators And Pedophiles:
Recognizing And Preventing Child Abuse |
Meredith Trueblood, education director of the Rape Crisis Center of Greater Lowell |
Too Much Of A Good Thing:
Raising Kids Of Character In An Indulgent Age |
Dr. Dan Kindlon |
| 2010– 2011 |
| Eating Disorders & Body Image |
 Handouts |
The Pressured Child: Helping Our Kids Find Success In School And In Life
 Watch it online at WCAT
|
Handouts |
A Community Conversation: Keeping Our Children Safe Part II
(Sex Offenders, CORI, Legislation and the Media) |
Community Voices and the Westford Police Department. |
The $8-Million-Dollar Graduation Party: How To Be A Parent, Not A Pal
Watch it online at WCAT |
Richard Campbell
In partnership with Westford Against Substance Abuse (WASA), Westford Academy, and the Westford Police Department |
| Race To Nowhere - The Dark Side Of America’s Achievement Culture |
Race To Nowhere handouts |
| Surviving Adolescence: Outwit, Outplay, Outlast |
Donna Shea
Handouts
Watch videotaped presentation |
| Birth Order: How Our Place In The Family Affects Our View Of The World |
Jack Agati
Handouts |
| Parenting As A Team: That’s Not How I Was Raised! |
Dr. Deborah Weinstock-Savoy
An enlightening and entertaining look at how couples' approaches to parenting can be very different.
Handouts |
| Responding vs. Reacting To Our Kids: Effective Strength-Based Parenting |
Dr. Charlie Appelstein
Handouts
|
| Marijuana: Weeding Out The Facts |
Marilyn Grifoni Belmonte, a substance abuse prevention specialist and a popular speaker, returned to Westford to present Marijuana: Weeding Out The Facts. |
| Understanding And Preventing Sports-Related Injuries |
how parents and coaches can work together to reduce the number and severity of sports-related injuries.Sponsored by Lowell General Hospital |
| Girls & Cyberbullying |
A collaborative effort between the WPC, Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC), the Westford Police Department, and the newly-formed Westford Coalition For Non-Violence. |
| Susan Tordella |
Do I Have To? How Chores Empower Children |
| Dr. Michael Bradley |
Loving Your Teen Without Losing Your Mind
Dr. Michael Bradley is a nationally acclaimed speaker and the award-winning author of Yes, Your Teen Is Crazy. |
| Dealing with Depression |
Sue Hanly, RN, her daughter Caroline, and Dianne Walsh, LICSW, shared their experiences and expertise. |
| 2009– 2010 |
| Taking Back Childhood: Helping Your Kids Thrive In A Fast-Paced, Media-Saturated, Violence-Filled World |
Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Ed.D. A professor at Lesley University in Cambridge, Dr. Carlsson-Paige is a renowned early childhood development expert with 30 years of teaching, researching, and writing about young children. |
| Discussion on Bullying |
Principals from the Westford Public School system and a representative from the Westford Police Department were on hand to answer parents’ questions. |
| The Parents We Mean To Be |
Dr. Richard Weissbourd, child and family psychologist and faculty member of Harvard’s School Of Education and Kennedy School Of Government; author of the book, The Parents We Mean To Be: How Well-Intentioned Adults Undermine Children’s Moral And Emotional Development. |
Dealing With Depression
|
Sue Hanly, RN, her daughter Caroline, and Dianne Walsh, LICSW, shared their experiences and expertise.
Handouts:
|
| Building Resilience: Giving Children Roots And Wings |
Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg |
Helping Kids Thrive: Bullying Prevention
Download the handouts. |
Lisa Sjostrom, Ed.M., founder and director of Helping Kids Thrive, returned to Westford to present Helping Kids Thrive: Bullying Prevention. |
| Pressured Parents, Stressed-Out Kids: Dealing With Competition While Raising Kids |
Wendy Grolnick, Ph.D. |
| Nutrition: Fostering A Healthy Relationship With Food |
Margaret Wandrey, clinical nutrition manager, Lowell General Hospital; Dr. Joan Eagan, pediatrician, Pediatrics West; and Kim Humphrey, health and wellness teacher, Blanchard Middle School. |
| Mad...Sad...Bad! Helping Young Children Deal With Strong Feelings |
Deborah Weinstock-Savoy, Ph.D. returned to discuss a major developmental challenge for toddlers and preschoolers. |
| Patch Adams -
What Parents And Children Can Do Together To Heal Our Healthcare System |
The Good Doctor, founder of the Gesundheit Institute, and leading light in the field of healthcare shares his powerful message of the importance of caring. |
| Responding vs. Reacting To Your Kids: Key Principles and Techniques For Effective Strength-Based Parenting |
Charlie Appelstein, MSW; discussed ways for parents to keep their cool and respond appropriately to their children. |
| Cyber Safety |
|
| Talking To Your Kids About Sex |
Sally Fogel, M.Ed., AASECT-certified sexuality educator. Ms. Fogel gave parents the tools they need to have an ongoing conversation about sexuality, relationships, values, and more. |
| Adolescent Psychology - The Parent Version |
Joani Geltman, a therapist, parenting consultant, and coach for more than 30 years, is an expert in child development and parent-teen relationships. Her presentation covered the physical, cognitive, and social/emotional changes that occur in adolescence. She shared her extensive experience with helpful advice, practical techniques, and a refreshing sense of humor. |
| Double Jeopardy: Underage Drinking And Marijuana |
Marilyn Belmonte, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist and Drug Abuse Recognition Specialist demonstrated just how prevalent alcohol and marijuana use are in young people, and why kids turn to drugs, what the warning signs are, and what parents can do to keep the lines of communication open and keep their kids safe. |
| Dealing With Depression |
Join Sue Hanly, RN, NCSN, and other members of the the Westford Mental Health Collaborative featured a 30-minute documentary, Breaking Free From Depression, which showcased real teens who have struggled with depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. In addition, a short video explaining the SOS (Signs Of Suicide) Program was shown. |
| 2008– 2009 |
| Raising Financially Responsible Kids |
Kathleen Dollard, certified financial planner with Nashoba Financial Planning, gave parents the tools they need to ensure that their children are financially responsible. |
| Birth Order And Its Impact On Parenting |
Jack Agati has more than 25 years experience as a speaker and trainer, in both personal and professional development. |
Get Educated About Keeping Your Children Safe |
This one-hour dynamic presentation included facts on strangers, abusive relationships, acquaintance rape, and pedophiles, common misconceptions about who is at risk and from whom. Parents learned techniques for sharing the vital information that they learn with their children. For more information, please contact Debbie Carter at dbrcarter@comcast.net. |
| Enjoy Your College-Bound Adolescent! |
Kathyrn Yamartino, Ph.D., has practical, compassionate advice on how to balance the necessity of letting go with the desire to stay connected in an appropriate way. |
| Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Results Forum |
The community was invited to discuss the results of this school year’s survey. |
| Anger Management For Parents |
Donna Shea, director of the Peter Pan Center in Harvard, MA, focused on parents’ anger and the need to manage our own anger appropriately. |
| Parenting As A Team: That’s Not How I was Raised! |
Deborah Weinstock-Savoy, Ph.D., presented a look at how couples’ approaches to parenting can be very different. |
| Social Adjustments In Middle School |
Guidance counselors from Blanchard and Stony Brook were on hand to lead informal discussions regarding social issues in middle school. |
| Parenting Strategies For Children With Weak Executive Functioning |
Dr. Ann Helmus, clinical neuropsychologist; download the presentation. |
| Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Let's Talk About It |
Producer Jeanne Blake, former WBZ-TV medical reporter, led an informative discussion addressing depression, anxiety, and stress among young people. |
| Study Skills |
Liz Benstead, M.Ed., academic support coach at Blanchard Middle School, outlined strategies to help parents help their children be more organized and learn vital homework and study skills. |
| 2007– 2008 |
| The Pressured Child |
Dr. Michael Thompson
www.michaelthompson-phd.com/ |
Social Smart Kids
|
Nadine Briggs of socialsmartkids.com |
Raising Resilient, Self-Reliant Kids
Sara Lane
|
www.parentsprepare.com |
Anger Management
|
Donna Shea |
Friend Or Foe? Sibling Rivalry
Deborah Weinstock-Savoy |
This event was for parents of elementary students. |
| Health Curriculum Overview, John Lyons |
www.westford.mec.edu/wa/health/ |
| I Never Would Have Talked To My Parents That Way |
Dr. Anthony Wolf |
| Helping Kids Thrive: Bullying Prevention |
Lisa Sjostrom
www.helpingkidsthrive.org/ |
| Generation RX |
Marilyn Belmonte
www.drugabuserecognition.com |
| Playful Parenting |
Dr. Lawrence Cohen
www.playfulparenting.com |
| Study Strategies and Homework Help |
Joan Finger, an educational consultant and tutor in Bolton. |
2006 – 2007 |
Social Adjustments In Middle School |
Blanchard and Stony Brook guidance counselors |
Internet Safety And Families |
Beth Fredericks, Families First |
Bully Out! |
Doug Wilhelm, Author Of The Revealers |
Teens And Depression: A Panel Discussion |
Dr. Joan Eagan, Pediatrician, Pediatrics West
Dr. Kayoko Kifuji, Medical Director, Psychiatry, Tufts-NEMC
Mark Lucey, Director, WA Guidance Department
Molly Salans, LICSW, Transitions Counseling Center |
| Too Sexy, Too Soon: Sexualization in the Media |
Diane Levin, professor at Wheelock College and expert on the negative impact of the media on children |
Perpetrators And Pedophiles:
Recognizing And Preventing Child Abuse |
Meredith Trueblood, education director of the Rape Crisis Center of Greater Lowell |
Too Much Of A Good Thing:
Raising Kids Of Character In An Indulgent Age |
Dr. Dan Kindlon |
2005 – 2006 |
Recognizing And Preventing Child Abuse |
Meredith Trueblood, Rape Crisis Center of Greater Lowell |
Discipline With Respect |
Jodi Wilinski Hill, Parenting Resource Associates |
Social Adjustments In Middle School |
Blanchard and Stony Brook guidance counselors |
Teaching Healthy Attitudes About Sexuality |
Deborah Weinstock-Savoy, Ph.D. |
Human Growth And Development Curriculum Overview |
Teachers from Abbot, Crisafulli, and Day |
Best Friends, Worst Enemies |
Dr. Michael Thompson, author |
Drug Abuse Recognition And Prevention |
Marilyn Belmonte, Instructor, Middlesex County Sheriff's Office
Co-Chair, Burlington Drug & Alcohol Task Force |
2003 – 2004 |
Please Stop The Rollercoaster! How Parents Of Teenagers Can Smooth Out The Ride |
Sue Blaney |
Prohibiting Bullying And Teasing: Strategies That Work |
Marsha Mirkin, Ph.D., clinical psychologist |
Girls On The Brink Of Adolescence |
Dr. Georgia Sassen, clinical psychologist |
Sign Me Up! |
Stacy DeBroff, national parenting expert, best-selling author, regular guest on NBC’s Today Show, and founder of Mom Central |
Whatever Happened To My Adorable, Cuddly, Communicative Child? |
Barbara Meltz, author and Boston Globe columnist |
2001 – 2002 |
The Secrets Of Parenting |
Dr. Anthony Wolf,
clinical psychologist and author |
Ecstasy And Party Drugs |
|
What To Say? What To Do? Practical Strategies For Raising Good Kids In Hair-Raising Times |
Jackie Sowers |
Surfing The Net |
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Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results And Recommendations |
|
The views of the speakers we engage do not necessarily reflect those of the WPC Board of Directors.
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