GENERAL MEETING AND PARENT INFORMATION SESSION
Tuesday May 17, 2022 at 6:30 pm (Virtual)
Topic: Assistive Technology and Note Taking Strategies for Success
Guest Speaker: Cathi Graveline – Assistive Technology Specialist
This presentation will cover the types of note-taking solutions that are available, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking, Dragon Anywhere, Read & Write, Google Accessibility, iPad Accessibility and note taking solutions. Cathi will discuss note-taking pens and apps that record audio notes, convert handwritten text to digital text, and a notebook that can save handwritten notes to the cloud. These can be used in junior high, high school and post secondary and in the workplace. Parents and students are welcome to attend.
Cathi is an Assistive Technology Specialist and Coach with 19 years of experience working with students with Learning Disabilities. She specializes in teaching and mentoring students in the use of assistive technology accommodations.
A General Meeting will follow immediately after the information session.
UPCOMING PARENT EDUCATION SESSIONS
The Community Education Service (CES) is offering the following sessions for parents and families. Sessions are offered at no cost but registration is required.
**CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: Click on the Poster/PDF icon below the correct session to register**
May 4: Promoting Resilience and Self-Regulation
Will discuss tools & stress management strategies to help children learn to recognize and manage their stress and emotions. Will also speak to how to help children learn to cope with stress and to better express their feelings & emotions while promoting social-emotional development & self-regulation. Learn about stress from a child’s point of view as well as your own stress response, coping skills & the positive effect of taking time for self-care.
May 5: Helping your Child Foster a Positive Relationship with Food
This presentation will look at the following:
1. What does having a healthy relationship with food look like?
2. What are warning signs for disordered eating?
3. What can families do to promote a healthy relationship with food?
4. Resource sharing & supports
May 5: From Finsta to FOMO: Understanding Social Media Use in Teens
The world of social media is constantly changing, and it can be hard to keep up. This session will look at some of the most popular platforms among Canadian youth and how to protect privacy and keep everyone safe. We will also discuss the effects of social media use on teen mental health and how to promote healthy social media habits in a digital world.
May 5: Making Learning to Read/Write/Spell Easier
For some students, learning to read, spell and write is easy. They need little assistance. However, many children and adults encounter difficulty with these tasks. This webinar will look at a number of specific things our presenter Sylvia Hannah Sinclaire has learned, during her fifty years of helping students learn to become effective readers, spellers and writers.
May 9: Brain Science: Sciences of Hope and Resilience
This session exists to support caregivers with the fundamental elements of brain science with a focus on the strengths of knowing how this can positively impact children and youth development. The interactive session will provide insight into brain structure and the stress response. In addition, we will explore adverse childhood experiences and Covid-19 as they relate to brain development, while providing information and strategies to build resilience.
May 10: Easier Than You Think – Sexuality, Love, and Relationships (ages 0-11)
Research shows that kids want to hear from their parents about not just sexual activity, but also about love, values, and relationships. This program will provide you with tools to have those important and meaningful conversations with your kids throughout their childhood and teen years.
In this workshop we will reflect, explore, and gain tools to build, grow and maintain your family’s conversations on topics of sexuality, sexual health, and relationships. Topics include language, boundaries, consent and answering questions.
After participating in this program, parents can expect:
• To feel more comfortable & confident talking with their children about sexuality and relationships.
• To practice basic strategies to effectively communicate with children about sexuality and relationships.
**This session will be best suited for parents of children aged 0-11 years old. A session for parents of older kids will be held on May 17.
May 16: The Growing Brain: Impact on Mental Health
Participants will learn:
• The four basic principles of brain development
• About the brain and depression in youth
• A sequence of engagement when working with youth
• Six principles for engaging with youth
May 17: Easier Than You Think – Sexuality, Love, and Relationships (parents of teens aged 12-18)
Research shows that kids want to hear from their parents about not just sexual activity, but also about love, values, and relationships. This program will provide you with tools to have those important and meaningful conversations with your kids throughout their childhood and teen years.
In this workshop we will reflect, explore, and gain tools to build, grow and maintain your family’s conversations on topics of sexuality, sexual health, and relationships. Topics include language, boundaries, consent and answering questions.
After participating in this program, parents can expect:
• To feel more comfortable & confident talking with their children about sexuality and relationships.
• To practice basic strategies to effectively communicate with children about sexuality and relationships.
Indigo Gift Cards
Support GATE by buying books! This ongoing fundraiser allows members to support the GPA, the GATE program, their students, and our GATE teachers. Shop for things you buy anyway, and earn funds to help enhance the GATE program.
Click below to buy a gift card, and 15% of the purchase price goes to support the work that we do, including funding for teacher professional development and public information seminars and events. Gift cards may be used at all Chapters, Indigo, and Coles stores, and online.
Click on the image below to purchase.
