Whitby School announced today that they are launching a new speaker series focusing on the middle school years. Each of the three sessions will be held virtually and are open to the public. The speakers, all experts in their field, will discuss issues and concerns on many parents’ minds and provide practical advice and skills for surviving and thriving during the middle school years.
Dr. Jack Creeden, Whitby Head of School, believes that schools need to provide parents with insights and the tools to help their children succeed inside and outside the classroom, and he is pleased that Whitby can offer guidance with the new speaker series. “Navigating the middle school years for many students (and parents) can be a challenging period,” says Dr. Creeden. “Think about it. Students are in a school section with ages ranging from as young as 10 to as old as 13, each growing and learning at a different pace. Add to that the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes, and you have the making for some ‘interesting’ times.”
The Whitby Speaker Series – The Middle School Years launches with three speakers
Tuesday, March 9
“Coping with Dual Epidemics – Anxiety During the COVID-19 Crisis”
Dr. Christopher M. Bogart, PhD
Executive Director, Sasco River Center
Dr. Chris Bogart will define what stress is and how it can lead to either stronger resilience or anxiety as children mature. Dr. Bogart will discuss current developmental theories for the increase in anxiety and will examine ways that the pandemic is increasing this challenge. Parents will leave the session with concrete ways to help their children and provide suggestions for further learning.
Tuesday, April 6
“Smart but Scattered: Supporting Executive Skill Development in the Middle School Years”
Dr. Peg Dawson, EdD
Co-Author of “Smart but Scattered”
Executive skills are critical to acquiring academic skills, but, more importantly, they are the skills students need to get things done. Some students seem to acquire them naturally, but many students struggle with them. Dr. Peg Dawson will describe how these skills develop throughout childhood, especially in middle school, and suggest strategies parents can use to help children acquire the critical skills they need to succeed.
Thursday, May 6, 2021
“Boys will Be Boys: Insights from the Science on Gender Differences”
Dr. Joseph Demers, PhD
Licensed Psychologist, Sasco River Center
We have all heard the oft-quoted phrase of “Boys will be boys!” as we try to explain the charming or enraging characteristics of our boys. Dr. Demers will discuss what we know regarding developmental differences relating to brain development that gives insight into possible gender-based learning and behavioral characteristics.
The Whitby Speakers Series is free and open to the public. All sessions are virtual and will begin at 7:00 PM. You can attend by registering online https://www.whitbyschool.org/middle-school-speaker-series. Questions about the event can be sent to [email protected].
About Whitby School
Located in Greenwich, CT, Whitby is a co-educational independent school that provides an education continuum for children 18 months through Grade 8 in the Fairfield-Westchester area. Whitby offers a Montessori curriculum in the Whitby Montessori Children’s House and the highly-recognized International Baccalaureate(IB) program in Grades 1-8. These two programs form the foundation for students to thrive and learn to think creatively and critically, preparing them as life-long learners and global citizens.
