In-Service Workshops

Do your kids spend a lot of time on Tiktok, YouTube, or playing Fortnite? Do you as parents struggle to understand everything that is going on in their online lives? You may also be wondering how your own relationship with technology might be healthier. You’re in the right place! Coming out of the pandemic, many of us have spent more time on screens than ever before, and the lines between home, work, and school are blurry, making it challenging to unplug from our devices. Join us as we discuss navigating this balance with tips and tools to: • Achieve sustainable, positive digital practices with family and at work. • Optimize your digital habits for better mental health and family connection. • Prevent and recover from sensory overload and digital overwhelm. • Positively shift your relationship with your devices so they fuel vs. fatigue your relationships.

We think of alcohol as a beverage, but we know that it’s also a drug. Teens discuss “drinking” beer, “drinking” games and “drinking” as an activity unto itself, but what if we were to replace the word “drinking” with “drugging” in those contexts? If alcohol use creates changes in decision-making or mental status, we’re drugging with alcohol, and it’s important to understand alcohol in that context. This presentation examines alcohol as a drug, considering alcohol’s actions, side effects, dosing and overdosing, addiction and dependence risks, legal and health consequences and more.

The general acceptance of recreational intoxication in young people has never been as high as it is today, and as the country moves toward the decriminalization/legalization of marijuana, this popularity will continue to grow. The New Drug Education looks at current trends in use and attitudes about intoxication, considers best practices for educating and raising adolescents, and examines the legal and health risk factors young people are facing.

Today’s youth post their whole lives on social media platforms that seem to be ever-changing. Cell phone cameras and other recording devices present privacy issues for students and educators alike. New platforms for speech bring new concerns as to what speech is protected and what is not. This in-service workshop addresses what types of speech issues might arise in the context of Tik-Tok and other platforms, what can (and cannot) be done by the district, and how this might intersect with mandatory reporting requirements. This in-service workshop is also available for parents and community members.

Research shows that there is real power in play. Through play, children develop the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills they need to thrive both now and into their futures. Play is both fun and a vital way that children learn about themselves and the world around them. This workshop is recommended for Preschool through Grade 2 staff.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, striking a balance between technology use and productivity is more challenging than ever, especially for educators and students navigating the complexities of remote and hybrid work and leisure. This workshop is for you! Designed to empower educators to harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, to enhance efficiency and carve out more quality time for what truly matters. This engaging workshop explores the concept of Digital Flourishing, focusing on harnessing technology to support an empowered and harmonious tech-life balance, enabling participants to optimize digital tools for enhanced well-being and productivity. Participants will learn to master popular AI tools for efficiency and gain proficiency in ChatGPT to streamline everyday tasks, significantly reducing cognitive burden. This in-service workshop is also available for parents and community members.

Designed for school psychologists, social workers, guidance counselors, nurses, and special education staff, this workshop will discuss identifying a student's strengths and challenges using neuropsychological testing. Participants will learn how to examine neuropsychological tests, how they are used, and how to develop instructional and behavioral strategies for students based on these assessments.

School nurses provide support and advocacy to students with mental health issues daily and are often the first school professional to recognize the signs and symptoms of a mental health disorder. This workshop will provide school nurses with an update on the most commonly encountered mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, and PTSD and strengthen their skills for managing students’ symptoms of these disorders in the health office. Participants will build on their collaborative and communication skills with school-based student support personnel, including in the context of 504 plans, IEPs, and IHPs, as well as caregivers, and community-based providers.

In today’s world, 24/7 connectivity contributes to digital distraction and phone dependence, which may hinder students' physical, mental, and emotional health. Social media platforms can foster a culture of peer comparison. How do we all shift from digital overload to more tech/life balance? Students will learn the data and be introduced to the LookUp Challenge: a student-led initiative to take a break from phones, social media and technology for a week as a school community on each students' own terms.

Teen substance use, including alcohol, marijuana, and illegal use of prescription drugs, impacts our schools and communities. The dangers of substance use and abuse, including how the opioid and heroin epidemic is affecting Massachusetts, will be highlighted.