The following workshops are available for staff, students and parents. Workshops are offered both in person and via Zoom. MPY requires a minimum of 25 participants for staff workshops and a minimum of 40 participants for parent and caregiver workshops. Exceptions are made on a case by case basis.
Motivation and Happiness (Remote Only)
In this workshop, you will explore your personal and professional motivation and happiness. Rate your current state and brainstorm on how to increase these. We will also discuss internal vs. external motivation and the Platinum Rule. Learn how to tap into others’ motivation and happiness too!
Multilingual Family Partnerships (Remote Only)
Learn how to communicate and partner effectively with multilingual families. We will move beyond conferences
and share techniques to build true engagement.
Narcotics- The Drugs, Health Risks, Educational Needs and Emergent Care
The opioid crisis has affected countless people and continues to put young people at risk. This presentation examines the basics of opioids- what this classification of drugs is, why opioid addiction is unique, the history of our present epidemic, the importance of education and emergent care in an overdose situation.
Navigating the Cyber World
This workshop reviews the challenges and dangerous situations that may arise through use of the internet, social media, and smartphones. It is important for school staff and parents to be aware of the popular apps, social media sites, and programs used by youth online. This workshop explains the issues and possible consequences of cyberbullying, sexting, and revealing identifying information to strangers.
Neuroscience of Anxiety (Limited In-Person Availibility - Not Available October - December, 2024)
To truly understand the roots of behavior, it is essential that educators understand what is happening in a student's body when they are anxious or stressed. Anxiety presents in different ways, and we all predictably have a stress response of fight/flight/freeze. This workshop will help participants identify the difference between an anxiety disorder and basic stress and explore ways to best support students. An emphasis on how to integrate social/emotional support into a school setting, along with how to address oppositional behavior, school refusal, work avoidance, and bullying, will be explored through the lens of anxiety.
Newcomers 101: Nurturing a Smooth Transition (Remote Only)
Learn essential techniques and best practices for effectively welcoming and supporting newly arrived multilingual learners, ensuring a supportive transition into the classroom and community.
OMG TMI N/C: Preventing Teen Sexting
Teens are sharing, posting, and sending images of themselves at alarming rates, including images that are illicit in nature. This student assembly will discuss the legal, personal, and emotional ramifications of teen sexting behaviors.
Overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder for First Responders (Remote Only)
This webinar will provide an overview of the symptoms of ASD across the lifespan and specific strategies for first responders to utilize when interacting with potential individuals in the community. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often referred to as an “invisible disability” because the symptoms of ASD are not necessarily overt. This is especially the case for individuals with ASD who are verbal and intelligent and, thus, might appear to first responders as typically developing. Yet, these individuals often possess significant if not debilitating sensory processing impairments, restricted and repetitive behaviors, and emotional dysregulation that can result in severe behavioral decompensation in the face of unpredictable events, including aggression, self-injury, and/or property destruction.
Power in Partnerships (Remote Only)
Research demonstrates that strong relationships between schools and families can positively affect student achievement and outcomes. By fostering stronger family and community engagement schools can increase student achievement, improve student attendance and behavior, enhance staff's understanding of family. This workshop is 90 minutes.
Preparing Students with ASD for Transition to Adulthood (Remote Only)
Transitioning out of high school to either continued education or the workplace is extremely challenging for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Even though most individuals with ASD have intact cognition and language, most fail to achieve levels of independence in adulthood due to limited functional social, communication, and adaptive skills necessary for self-sufficiency. There is a critical need to prepare for this transition early, intensively, and comprehensively. This workshop will provide an overview of strategies, supports, and accommodations that can be implemented in schools to promote a successful transition.