Parent University

Pearl River School District's Parent University Program

Parent University is a program sponsored by the Pearl River School District Adult Enrichment Program. 
All Parent University sessions are free of charge and open to all parents everywhere.  No registration required. 
For additional information, call 620-3921

2023-24 Workshops

Completed Workshops:

Thursday, January 11, 2024 6:30 PM
Managing Stress in the New Year
Virtual Presentation
Presented by Kristin O’Rourke, LCSW and owner of In-Home LCSW, PLLC
Around the first of the year, most of us begin focusing on improving our lives. While resolutions often center on developing new habits that will get us into better physical shape - reducing stress and getting into better mental and emotional shape can provide huge rewards. Join Kristin O’Rourke, Child/Family Therapist and Parenting Consultant as she provides strategies and techniques to manage stress.  Missed the event? Click the following link to view the video recording: Managing Stress in the New Year

Thursday, October 19, 2023 6:00 PM
Parent Portal Information Session for PRMS & PRHS Families
Presented by Norma Canals (PRHS) & Jessica Bersani (PRMS), School Social Workers
Pearl River High School's Pirate Cove
Join us to learn how to access the parent portal to see your child's grades, progress reports, report cards, and attendance. Presentations will be in both English and Spanish. Advanced Registration is requested. Please call either Norma Canals (HS) at 845-620-3806 or 845-288-3337 OR Jessica Bersani (MS) at 845-620-3888.  Parent Portal Information Session for PRMS & PRHS Families


2022-23 Workshops

Thursday, April 20, 2023 7:00 PM
Hidden in Disguise & Marijuana: The Blunt Truth
Presented by the Rockland Council for Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependence Inc.
Pearl River High School's Pirate Cove
A dual presentation on how to see hidden dangers in a teen's room and about teen marijuana use. The "Marijuana: The Blunt Truth" presentation focused on the increasing usage of marijuana by teenagers and the most up-to-date information about the dangers of marijuana use among teens, including vaping. Missed the Marijuana presentation? Click the following link to view the video recording:  https://youtu.be/m0IIos5SEcE

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 7:00 PM
Stress & Anxiety in Elementary & Middle School Students
Presented by Kristin O'Rourke, LCSW, Owner of In-Home LCSW, PLLC.  
Pearl River High School's Pirate Cove
This workshop reviewed symptoms of stress and anxiety in elementary and middle school students and provided tips and strategies for parents to help students self-regulate and cope.
Missed the event? Click the following link to view the video recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C8HJ6rfYwk&feature=youtu.be

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 7:00 PM
Strengthening Executive Functions at Home: Creating a Practical Toolbox for Elementary & Middle School Students
Presented by Organizational Tutors
Evans Park Elementary School

Strengthening Executive Functions at Home is a comprehensive workshop offering an overview of Executive Functioning (EF), the role EF plays in learning, and how to strengthen EF skills at home. Parents will walk away with a better understanding of what is happening during their child’s brain development and the practical tools they can use to support their students. Missed the event? Click the following link to view the video recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_1n5LRWgfM


Tuesday, February 8, 2023 7:00 PM
A Parent's Guide to Fentanyl
Presented by the Rockland Council on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependence Inc.  
The use of Fentanyl has become prevalent among teenagers. Come and learn the facts about Fentanyl and the hidden deadly dangers for our children. See the flyer for more information and to submit a question: 
Missed the event?  Click the following link to view the video recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4OVgwdpps8&feature=youtu.be

2021-22 Workshops

Monday, June 13, 2022 7:00PM
Better Together: A Community Conversation
Presented by the Haverstraw African American Connection and Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerence and Education
Pearl River School District is excited to welcome Ms. Virginia Norfleet, CEO and founder of the Haverstraw African American Connection, and Ms. Andrea Winograd, Executive Director of the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education, as guest speakers to our Parent University “Better Together - A Community Conversation”.  Ms. Norfleet and Ms. Winograd’s relationship started with conversations on how communities could be BETTER TOGETHER and will share how they created their program to bolster public engagement to fight racism, anti-semitism and all forms of hate. To attend in-person or to view livestream, see our flyer for more information:  Better Together

Tuesday, January 27, 2021 7:00PM
Presented by Tom Kersting
Back by Popular Demand! "Digitally Distracted: Parenting in the Age of Technology"
addresses the large amount of time kids spend on electronic devices each day and the resulting by-products of attention deficit, anxiety, depression, poor social skills, academic failure and family relationship problems.  Presented by nationally renowned psychotherapist and school counselor Tom Kersting, this free virtual presentation is a must for parents, high school and middle school students.  Missed the event? Click on the following link to view the video recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsXSF5ZY1vo

 Tuesday, December 7, 2021 7:00PM
Marijuana Today: The Blunt Truth
Presented by the Rockland Council on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependence Inc. & CANDLE.  New York State has legalized recreational marijuana - what does this mean for teens.  The presentation is viewable online on the district's PRSD YouTube Live. For the flyer:  Marijuana Today - The Blunt Truth Flyer