Parent University

Completed Workshops:

Thursday, January 11, 2024 6:30 PM
Managing Stress in the New Year
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
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

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.
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.  
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
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

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

Parent University Workshops for the 2020-21
were put on "pause" due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 7:00 PM
(rescheduled from Tuesday, November 19, 2019)
Ending the Silence on Mental Health
PRSD District Office Board Room
Presented by Heidi Vandiver, Community Outreach Coordinator, NAMI Rockland
NAMI Ending the Silence is designed to give audience members an opportunity to learn about mental illness through an information Power Point and short videos.  During this parent presentation, we discuss warning signs and how to find resources for your child if you are concerned about an emotional or behavior challenge they are experiencing.  NAMI Ending the Silence is for everyone – parents and guardians, educators, school staff and administrators, and community partners. 

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental  illness. NAMI Rockland is an affiliate of NAMI NYS. NAMI Rockland and dedicated volunteer members and leaders work tirelessly to raise awareness and provide essential education, advocacy and support group programs for people in our community living with mental illness and their loved ones.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019  
Digitally Distracted
Pearl River Middle School Auditorium 
Presented by:  Tom Kersting, Nationally recognized psychotherapist, family counselor, author and educator
Kids spend more than eight hours per day, seven days a week on electronic devices. The result is a malleable brain that is rewired to assimilate to a
cyber-world – not the real world.  The byproduct is chronic anxiety, attention deficit, depression, poor social skills, academic failure, and family relationship problems.  This lecture is an eye-opener and will include tips to help live in the real world and less in the cyber world.  The byproduct is chronic anxiety, attention deficit, depression, poor social skills, academic failure, and family relationship problems.  This lecture is an eye-opener and will include tips to help live in the real world and less in the cyber world. This program will provide training and education in:
•          Technology use and mental health
•          How much screen time is too much?
•          Strategies to help your child reduce anxiety
•          How much sleep is acceptable for your child?
•          Creating leaders, not followers
•          Your role as a parent
All parents, high school students and middle school students are welcome to join this stimulating free presentation

Thursday, October 3, 2019 
A Parent's Guide to the Dangers of Vaping
Pearl River Middle School Auditorium 
Presented by:  Kayla Cabacungan, Rockland Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependencies, and Normal Canals, LMSW, PRSD School Social Worker
The Vaping Culture is becoming prevalent among teenagers. Come and learn the facts about vaping and how it has become a serious health concern for our children.
     - How vaping is different than smoking?
     - What substances are being used in vaporizers?
     - How vaporizers are being marketed?
     - What are the health risks?
Participants will also have the opportunity to view and handle some of the vaping products available at local retail stores. 

Tuesday, May 14, 2019  7:00 PM
(rescheduled from 4/30/19)
Mental Health and Wellness 101
Presented by Wendy Blanchard, M.S., CHHC, CPS
Mental Health and Wellness 101 provides participants with a basic knowledge of mental health, wellness and recovery in an effort to reduce stigma. The training presents mental health as a continuum of wellness and an integral part of our overall health, encourages treatment seeking behavior and self-care to manage stress.  Mental Health and Wellness 101 is for everyone – parents and guardians, educators, school staff and administrators, and community partners. 

Wednesday, November 7, 2018  7:00 PM
What You Don't Know About Your Child's Social Networking
Pearl River School District Administration Building - Board Room
Presented by Orangetown Police Officer Brandon Myers
Come and learn the facts, danger and precautions regarding some of the popular  website and apps that your children may be using such as Snapchat, Instagram and other popular apps.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018  7:00 PM
Special Education Student Transition to College
Pearl River School District Administration Building - Board Room
Presented by James Calisi, School Psychologist, Pearl River School District and Dr. Richard Heath, Professor of Pyschology, Director of Pathways Program, Saint Thomas Aquinas College
This presentation is a guide for parents and students in grades 10-12 on college-related issues specific to special education students, including:
-  IEPS and Section 504 Plans: What happens in college?
-  Levels of service available at colleges and universities
-  Programs
-  College accommodations

Wednesday, October 3, 2018  7:00 PM
Dangers in Disguise - Know the Signs of Teenage Substance Abuse
Presented by  Rockland Council on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependence Inc. (RCADD) and Norma Canals, LMSW - School Social Worker, Pearl River School District
As caring adults we might have teens in our life that we care about and want to protect  from all types of dangers.  Would you know the signs or clues to look for that might indicate your teen is using or abusing alcohol or other drugs?
Take a look at this teen’s room. It appears to look like an ordinary room right? · Posters on the wall · Sports duffle bag on the floor · A throw rug · Different types of containers and bottles · Books on a rack · Chair in the corner · Some items on top of the bed.  In reality it’s not an ordinary teen bedroom. There are signs of trouble disguised right before your eyes!  Trained professionals will recreate a teen’s bedroom.  Parents, guardians, grandparents, caretakers and other caring adults will learn how to identify signs and symbols in a teen’s room that might indicate they are in trouble with alcohol, and/or drugs and other risky behaviors. 

Tuesday, May 1, 2018 
The Perfect Storm 
Presented and sponsored by numerous Rockland County organizations, including Pearl River School District.
This is a presentation on the current prescription drug and heroin epidemic in our community and includes vital information that every parent should know.  The presentation is open to parents and students 7th grade and older.  The Perfect Storm 

Tuesday, October 17, 2017  
Dangers in Disguise - Know the Signs of Teenage Substance Abuse
Presented by  Rockland Council on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependence Inc. (RCADD) and Norma Canals, LMSW - School Social Worker, Pearl River School District
As caring adults we might have teens in our life that we care about and want to protect  from all types of dangers.  Would you know the signs or clues to look for that might indicate your teen is using or abusing alcohol or other drugs?
Take a look at this teen’s room. It appears to look like an ordinary room right? · Posters on the wall · Sports duffle bag on the floor · A throw rug · Different types of containers and bottles · Books on a rack · Chair in the corner · Some items on top of the bed.  In reality it’s not an ordinary teen bedroom. There are signs of trouble disguised right before your eyes!  Trained professionals will recreate a teen’s bedroom.  Parents, guardians, grandparents, caretakers and other caring adults will learn how to identify signs and symbols in a teen’s room that might indicate they are in trouble with alcohol, and/or drugs and other risky behaviors. 

Thursday, December 15, 2016   
A Parent's Guide to the Dangers of Vaping
Presented by Jennifer Ocasio, BS, CPP, Coordinator, Mid Hudson Prevention Resource Center, and Normal Canals, LMSW, PRSD School Social Worker
Come and listen as we define vaping and discuss: the different vaping products available; how vaping is different than smoking; what substances are being used in vaporizers; how vaporizers are being marketed; and the concerns surrounding vaping.  Participants will also have the opportunity to view and handle some of the vaping products available at local retail stores. 
Vaping Presentation

Tuesday, November 9, 2016  
What You Don't Know About Your Child's Social Networking
Presented by Det. Joseph Sullivan, Orangetown Police Dept. and Officer Brandon Myers, PRSD School Liasion Officer
Back by Popular Demand!  Come and learn the facts, dangers, and precautions regarding some of the popular websites/apps that your child may be using such as Snapchat, Instagram, ooVoo, Ask FM, and more. 

Tuesday, April 12, 2016   
What You Need to Know About Campus Safety When Looking for a College
Presented by Michael Murphy, President of Ironmen Consulting Company, Assistant Director of Security at Rockefeller University, and former NYPD Lieutenant
This presentation is a guide on what you should be asking, and what information is available to you, in regards to student safety on a college campus.  After attending this Campus/University Safety Program (CUSP), parents and perspective students will gain a better understanding of safety and security concerns that are effecting our campuses today.  

Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Hoop Dreams with Chris Herren - Substance Abuse Prevention
Presented by Chris Herren, former NBS basketball player and professional motivational speaker
In this presentation highlighting Chris’s basketball career and journey to sobriety, Chris will touch on such topics as drunk driving, gateway drugs, peer pressure, bullying and cutting. He draws on his own history to convey the message that it is never too late to follow your dreams and overcome setbacks.

Thursday, October 29, 2015
Anxiety & Depression - How it Effects Teenagers
Presented by Dr. Randi Newman, Psy.D and Norma Canals, LMSW, School Social Worker, Pearl River School District
This presentation is a guide on what to do if your child is sad or anxious.  We will review how to talk to your teenager
about their emotional well-being and when to know your child needs professional help. 

Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Sweet Talk Your Children
Presented by Rebecca Meyerson, Certified Nutrition Counselor and founder of Simply Healthy Living
Tired of wafflers and sugar-filled cereals for breakfast?  Do you have a child that won't touch anything green?  Come and learn the nuts and bolts of raising happy, healthy eaters and improving their meals with nutritious and delicious foods.  We will discuss recipe modification and realistic meal planning. 

Thursday, May 22, 2014
Warning Signs of Heroin and Prescription Drug Addiction
Presented by the Orangetown Police Department (OPD) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
Learn the warning signs and "lingo" associated with drug addiction. Let's protect our children. Many parents and caregivers are not familiar with drug street names and how to deal with a child who may be using drugs. Please join us as our panel discusses the dangers and warning signs of heroin and prescription drug addiction. Be in the know! Let's work together to keep our children and commmunity safe from this growing epidemic!

Thursday, March 27, 2014
Mom & Dad, Can You See What I Feel?
Presented by Turning Point Behavioral Health Center
Depression, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, Social Anxiety, Self-Harm. These are words we have all heard before but do we really know what these emotions "look like" in our teenagers. Many parents or caregivers may not recognize when their child is struggling. We explore these emotions and behaviors through the eyes of today's teenagers.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013 and Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Program held at the Pearl River Middle School Auditorium and Pearl River High School Auditorium, respectively.
What You Don't Know About Your Child's Social Networking
Presented by Det. Joseph Sullivan, Orangetown Police Dept. and Det. James Davis, Computer Crimes Task Force
Back by Popular Demand!  Come and learn the facts, dangers, and precautions regarding some of the popular websites/apps that your child may be using such as Snapchat, Instagram, ooVoo, Ask FM, and more. 

Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Common Core Learning Standards Math K - 4
Presented by Sue Wheeler, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Wheeler presents an overview of the Common Core Focus Standards for each grade level. She will highlight some of the related instructional strategies and demonstrate how to access and utilize available parent resources.

Thursday, May 16, 2013
Sending Your Child Off to College
Presented by Dr. John Morgano, Superintendent and Dr. Frank Auriemma, Former Superintendent 
Topics include adjusting to college academic rigor, roommate issues - boyfriend/girlfriend issues, fitting in issues, solving problems on their own, calling home too much or not enough, having a car on campus, co-ed dorms, campus safety, returning home to visit – “Who is this person?” academic transitions, changing majors, changing schools and much more! There will also be time for a Q and A.

Thursday, April 11, 2013
Dangerous Teen Drug Trends
Presented by Ms. Judy Mezey, MS and Ms. Andrea Fallick, LCSW,CASAC,CCP Student Assistance Services Corp.
Get informed on the changing drug environment affecting our youth today.  Presentation includes a "Show and Tell" of current drug paraphernalia.  The discussion focuses on current drug trends including new information on "old" drugs, updated information on "illicit" street drugs, and legal substances being abused by teens.

Thursday, February 28, 2013
Sweet Talk Your Children
Presented by Ms. Rebecca Meyerson, Certified Nutrition Counselor
Tired of waffles and sugar filled cereals for breakfast?  Do you have a child that won't touch anything green?  Come learn the nuts and bolts of raising happy, healthy eaters and improving their meals with nutritious and delicious foods.  We will discuss recipe modifications and realistic meal planning.

Thursday, October 11, 2012
APPR: What it Means for Your Children
Ms. Sue Wheeler, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
What is an "APPR" and what does that mean for my child?