Events & Registration
Our goal is to hold speaker and small discussion groups several times a year. We are working with limited funds, so please consider donating. Past speaker events are listed at the bottom.
Next event:
A Parent-Led Discussion on
ADDICTION & VAPING
Thursday, December 5, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Stevens Memorial Library
Event is FREE • Click here to REGISTER
(event is limited to 20 people)
Join us as we talk with a North Andover mom who has gone through the steps to help a family member with addiction, and can give some insight and guidance to others.
Let's learn from each other. Addiction can be very isolating for the rest of the family. It’s important reach out and talk.
This is our final event in our series on Addiction and Vaping. Join our email list to lern about our upcoming topics!
Past Speaker Events
Events are listed in order of most recent. If an event was recorded, you will find a viewing link in the drop-down summary. Not all small discussion groups are listed below.
Understanding Addiction with Anthony Sideri
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
In this virtual event, Anthony shared his very real story of addiction and his empowering journey to recovery. Anthony spoke to the challenges that teens face, and how their reactions lead to positive or negative consequences. An NAHS graduate himself, Anthony speaks with every class that goes through NAHS. This was a unique opportunity for parents! A recording of this event can be found on our resources page under Vaping and Addiction.
Sensory Nature Walk
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Local mom, Christine Cohne of Nature’s Pace, guided us for an hour of nature immersion on peaceful lakeside grounds. We learned the many emotional, mental and physical benefits of spending mindful time outdoors.
• When we spend mindful time in natural environments, the soothing sounds, colors, scents and awe-inspiring sights automatically activate our parasympathetic nervous system. This state allows our bodies and minds to rest, recover and revitalize.
• In nature you absorb powerful essential oils and good bacteria from plants; trees and soil bolster our immune systems, reduce stress, and release feel-good chemicals that boost our mood.
• Connecting with the natural world, reminds us that we are a part of something larger than ourselves; simply being in nature lights up the parts of our brain that are associated with love and empathy. In short, mindful time outside lends us to being healthier, happier, more compassionate human beings.
As a Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Christine will lead the group through sensory engaging activities along the trails and waterfront. By intentionally slowing down and bringing attention to the present, we’ll give our overactive brains a chance to rest and recharge. The soft colors, sounds and scents will soothe our nervous systems, leaving us happier, less stressed and more alive. For more information on Nature’s Pace, please visit: www.natures-pace.com
Vaping Awareness Night
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Learn how to talk with your child, tween or teen about vaping. Click here to watch the six-person panel event focused on the signs, health dangers, fire hazards and legal implications of vaping.
Anthony Sideri, Local Speaker and Expert
Michelle O’Leary, NAPS Director of SEL
Officer Contreras, NAPD
Lt. Patnaude, NAFD, Public Fire and Life Safety Officer
Kim Cheevers, Registered Nurse
Jonathan Tummino, Former NAHS Student
Managing Stress
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Alexandra “Ali” Meeker, NAPS Psychologist for ABECC and NAHS
Long-term stress can impact our thoughts and feelings, which in turn impacts our health and body. It often makes us tired.
Anxiety, or extreme apprehension and worry, is a normal reaction to stressful situations. In many situations, anxiety can help you!
Taking an important test: anxiety might make you study harder. Making a major life purchase: anxiety may make you more carefully consider all your options beforehand. But in some cases it becomes excessive and can cause individuals to dread everyday situations.
Anxiety can appear different in different people. Some individuals may verbalize their feelings, while others show feelings through bodily complaints or abruptness.
Individuals can also present as oppositional. This can be related to a low frustration tolerance or fear of embarrassment. The goal is to decrease the intensity of the emotion so that you can get through a difficult situation.
The way our nervous system works, we “habituate” to sensations. Jump into a pool, at first it feels shocking and possibly cold. As time goes by, you acclimate to it and don’t notice those sensations. Similar to being exposed to things over time you acclimate to them.
Change your Inner Voice
Self-defeater vs. Inner Coach
“I can’t do it” vs. “I can try this”
“I’m sick” vs. “I will feel better once I do this.”
Sleep is important for our bodies AND mental health.
Emotions are Contagious
Focus on the Positive (ask questions that empower your child and
help them feel connected to you)
Establish Daily Routines (exercise, homework, meals, sleep)
Identify Ways your Child can Help Others
Find Time to Talk at Calm Moments
Encourage Problem Solving (don’t seek to have your child avoid
challenges/uncomfortable feelings: instead,
coach them through the situation until they can handle the challenge on their own)
Foster a Sense of Control (guiding children on what they can do to stay healthy will help ease their anxiety/worry)
Time Management
Where does my time go?
The “daily grind”–Externalizing things we keep in the brain to free up space.
The weekly grind-color coded
The “Big Picture” and the Post-its
Finding little pockets of time to study flashcards
“Break it down before you have a breakdown.”
The benefits of using timers–Visual timers especially (Sarah Ward, SLP Needham,MA)
*Dr. John Body II (Educational Consultant/Coach)
A Guided Nature Walk for Parent Self-Care
Tuesday, April 5, 2023
Local mom, Christine Cohne of Nature’s Pace, guided us for an hour of nature immersion on peaceful lakeside grounds. We learned the many emotional, mental and physical benefits of spending mindful time outdoors.
• When we spend mindful time in natural environments, the soothing sounds, colors, scents and awe-inspiring sights automatically activate our parasympathetic nervous system. This state allows our bodies and minds to rest, recover and revitalize.
• In nature you absorb powerful essential oils and good bacteria from plants; trees and soil bolster our immune systems, reduce stress, and release feel-good chemicals that boost our mood.
• Connecting with the natural world, reminds us that we are a part of something larger than ourselves; simply being in nature lights up the parts of our brain that are associated with love and empathy. In short, mindful time outside lends us to being healthier, happier, more compassionate human beings.
As a Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Christine will lead the group through sensory engaging activities along the trails and waterfront. By intentionally slowing down and bringing attention to the present, we’ll give our overactive brains a chance to rest and recharge. The soft colors, sounds and scents will soothe our nervous systems, leaving us happier, less stressed and more alive. For more information on Nature’s Pace, please visit: www.natures-pace.com
Staying Calm with Self-Care for Parents
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Local mom, Dr. Maureen Magauran, spoke with parents and offered the suggestions below:
• Pathways to feeling more calm: meditation (links below), deep breaths/breathing exercises, get physically active, or sit/walk/hike in nature.
• Know that you are not alone. Social media does NOT depict real life. Reach out to friends or groups to talk. BE REAL!
• Make time for yourself: read a book, dance to music, or sit outside and just listen.
• Give yourself permission and make it happen on a regular basis.
• Be silly with your kids: turn on the music and dance to YOUR music with them, cook with them, and open dialog by just chatting about silly stuff.
• Make YOURSELF a priority. Lead by example and your kids will learn to do the same.
North Andover mom, Dr. Magauran, has been working with clients for over 20 years, helping them overcome stress and anxiety to feel more calm, confident and clear. She takes a holistic approach in her work, incorporating meditation, energy and somatic work, talk therapy, and more. She views each client as a whole person, and wants them to see her in the same way: as a mom to two boys, an ice hockey goalie, a lover of nature and the ocean, and more, rather than “just a doctor.” Visit her website www.maureenmagauran.com to learn more about her.
This event was recorded. Click here to watch the video.
Internet Safety with Katie Greer
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Katie Greer is a nationally recognized speaker, and former Intelligence Analyst for the MA State Police and Director of Internet Safety for the MA Attorney General’s Office. She explored tools and strategies for you to help your kids and teens navigate technology in a safe and productive way. Topics included:
• What does PRIVACY mean?
• Sexting
• Cyberbullying
• How is mental health impacted?
• Tech permanency and its DANGERS
• How to be a responsible online consumer
We teamed up with the North Andover Middle School PTAC. They provided funding for Katie to speak with the students during the school day! Visit our Resources page for helpful information from this event.
ADHD: Top Ten Strategies to Help Your Kids
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
We celebrate ADHD Awareness Month with a virtual presentation by
Cindy Goldrich, Ed. M., ADHD-CCSP of PTS Coaching.
Cindy is an experienced speaker, ADHD coach and recognized expert on ADHD, Executive Function, and parenting. She’s been featured in ADDitudeMagazine, ADHD Essentials podcast, and many other arenas. Topics discussed include:
How to help children not just survive, but also thrive
The best supports for your child
Facts about ADHD beyond the diagnosis
The basics about what Executive Function is and how it impacts learning, motivation, and behavior
Visit www.ptscoaching.com for information about her coaching and other programs.
Teen and Tween Dating 101: A Parent's Guide
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Click here to access the presentation
A 60-minute presentation by Arelis Huertas, Director of Community Based Domestic and Sexual Violence Program at the YWCA, and learn:
• Safe dating advise for your teen or tween
• How to spot a good or bad relationship
• Definition of dating violence and types of abuse
• Signs that an adolescent may be in an abusive relationship
• How to support an adolescent who may disclose
• How to address your own concerns about an unhealthy relationship
Watch this 72 sec. video to learn just how manipulation works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JYyHa03x-U
Eating Disorders: The Silent Epidemic
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Anxious Child • Picky Eater • Hyper-focused on Body or Food for Athletics or Looks
Eating disorders can affect anyone – any age, any gender, anyone, and may present very differently from person to person. What sometimes can appear as a "picky eater" or "healthy eater," a person hyper focused on food or their body for any number of reasons, such as anxiety, athletics, social acceptance, academic pressure, media ideals and social media, may actually be displaying the early signs of an eating disorder. Eating disorders are no longer rare, and recently have been referenced as an epidemic within the adolescent and young adult populations.
Thankfully, with the right knowledge and tools, families, coaches and educational personnel can spot the early signs, and be one of the most effective influences in recovery. With so many well-intended and also wrong messages about what is healthy in terms of food, weight, and an individuals level of physical activity, it is even more important that we become fully informed of the facts and fictions associated with this problem.
Join us for a virtual presentation by one of the leading experts in eating disorders, Michael Chiumiento, PsyD. Dr. Chiumiento will begin with a 60-minute presentation to explain:
- the facts and myths of eating disorders
- the subtle and not-so-subtle warning signs
- resources and how to get help
He will end with a live Q&A. Questions can be sent in advance to be anonymous, or you can ask live on the presentation.
Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
“Everybody needs to know that anxiety disorders are real, common and treatable instead of viewing them as a personal choice or something to be ashamed of,” said Dr. Jerry Bubrick, Senior Director of Anxiety Disorders Center, Child Mind Institute. “Getting help early is crucial in giving people the tools they need to feel better. We just need to start the conversation."