Parenting can be challenging, especially when children are dealing with stress, anxiety and depression.
The district’s three elementary school counselors and one of its school information resource officers are inviting parents and guardians of elementary-age students to attend an evening of conversation focused on helping students develop coping skills at an early age.
Counselors Julie Wolf, Kathy Haley and Mike Quinn and Town of Manlius Police Officer Damien Golden will be at Mott Road Elementary School 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 19 for Family School Connection Night.
Mott Road School Counselor Julie Wolf said students benefit when families and schools are on the same page.
“Parents can help kids right from the start,” she said. “There is so much you can do as a parent.”
During Family School Connection Night, the counselors plan to share book titles and articles and talk about what school counselors do to support students. They will also share strategies parents can use to help their children manage their emotions and stay calm when stressed or anxious.
To prepare families with younger children, Officer Golden will touch on what he sees students dealing with in the upper grades.
“Parents are the most important people in (students’) lives,” Wolf said.
The district’s strategic plan includes equipping students with the skills to confidently navigate their complex lives and building programs that enrich student health and wellness and promote the development of the whole child. Across the district, more events are taking place and being planned that address this area of the strategic plan.
For example, at Fayetteville-Manlius High School, a group of teachers and staff members recently invited parents and guardians to participate in the “F-M Community Big Read,” a community read of “How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success” by Julie Lythcott-Haims, which centers around supporting children in becoming independent and emotionally strong adults.
About 175 people attended a meeting in October to talk about the book, and they have another meeting planned in January.
Wolf said that helping children build strong foundational social-emotional skills early rather than later is better for students, families and schools.
“Starting earlier is easier,” she said.
Save the Date
Family School Connection Night
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019
6:30-8 p.m.
Mott Road Elementary School, 7173 Mott Rd., Fayetteville