HEALTH & COUNSELING
A-8 Practice What You Teach: The Neuroscience and Sport of Building Great Minds
December 6 • 10:30am – 11:30am
Health & Counseling
When it comes to social-emotional growth, brain & character development, healthy choices, etc. – we have historically only “talked the talked,” hoping our message resonates with our students and leads to healthy habits and better decisions. However, the science of neuroplasticity reveals that we can “hardwire” the growth we seek. Join this session to discover how one school incorporated research driven experiential-based learning program, that integrates neuroscience education with executive functioning and cognitive skill development resulting in measurable outcomes.
Renee Mack, Human Development Department Chair, Cate School, CA
Dr. Tere Linzey, Education Psychologist, Cate School, CA
B-7 Stress, Anxiety and Student Health: What Can Be Done to Help in the Current Climate?
December 6 • 1:15pm – 2:15pm
Health & Counseling
Student stress in schools increases yearly. Is it poor resilience? College pressures? Social media? All of these? Whatever the source, today’s adolescents report widespread anxiety and stress. We’ve addressed our students’ ebbing psychological well-being with deliberate programming, tried to change the school culture, and hope to collaborate for more solutions.
Jeffrey Durso-Finley, Director of College Counseling, Lawrenceville School, NJ
Holly Burks Becker, Director of College Counseling, Lawrenceville School, NJ
B-12 Your Role in Preventing and Addressing Disordered Eating in Students
December 6 • 1:15pm – 2:15pm
Health & Counseling
This session will review eating disorders, who’s affected by them, and exactly how serious they can be. We’ll help you explore and adjust your own attitudes about food and weight, and give you the information that you need to construct a healthy environment for your students and keep an eye out for those especially at risk.
Jessica Holler, RDN, LDN, Registered Dietitian , SAGE Dining Services, MD
Amanda Miller, LCSW Director of Mental Health and Wellness, Hebron Academy, ME
C-4 Lets Get Ready to Rumble!! the Amygdala vs. the Prefrontal Cortex. the Neurobiology of the Adolescent Brain
December 6 • 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Health & Counseling
The adolescent brain is ever-evolving and strengthening, especially the area responsible for planning and decision-making. So, why are adolescents impulsive, emotionally reactive, reward seekers and risk takers? The answer is the limbic system, a different part of the brain that develops earlier and faster. This development imbalance between the emotional and control centers of the brain, means that adolescents are more likely to rely on feelings than reason when making decisions, even when they know better! This session will offer research-based interventions to help adolescents be emotionally healthy, gritty, and resilient while waiting for their prefrontal cortex to catch up.
David Chiarella, Director, Counseling and Psychology Services, Western Reserve Academy, OH
D-11 Support and Develop Emotionally Healthy Schools
December 7 • 8:30am – 9:30am
Health & Counseling
Anxiety and depression have reached record levels among middle and secondary school students. As the adults who work and live in schools, you are “on the ground” with adolescents every day. You are confronted with their wide range of social-emotional needs and are called upon to support them during some of their most difficult times. Join this session to discuss how to best help students with emotional challenges (e.g. peer or family issues, anxiety and depression), collaborate effectively with colleagues, and partner successfully with parents. Get a quick primer on adolescent mental health, and learn strategies and systems to enhance the emotional well-being of your school community.
Deborah Offner, Consulting Psychologist, Worcester Academy, Beacon Academy, The Winsor School, MA
Jennifer Griffith, Director of Counseling, Worcester Academy, MA
E-6 Preventing Sexual Abuse: The Shield of Protection
Health & Counseling
One out of 10 children are sexually abused before they turn 18. How can we protect them? This session is designed to guide schools in identifying the areas of strength and weakness in their child protection efforts. Participants will assess their schools’ current level of child protection practices and programs across three areas: 1) organizational policies and processes related to background checks and staffing; 2) staff, volunteer, and parent training and resources; and 3) youth programming and education. By the end of this workshop, each school will leave with a clear understanding of the critical components to include within a child protection policy, and an action plan for moving forward to improve the safety of the students that they serve. Please bring a copy of your school’s policy or handbook for review and discussion at this session.
Tricia Scott, Ed.D, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Grants, Beau Biden Foundation, DE