Families Connect Series
Families Connect Series
Neshaminy School District is pleased to present a free speaker series offered to our parents, students, staff, and community members with information related to a variety of topics such as how to support their child in the learning process and recognizing strategies to support our students and families at home.
As a part of the Families Connect series, we invite expert speakers to offer guidance on relevant parenting topics. We encourage community conversations that are centered around practical strategies to support learning and child development.
2024-2025
January, 2025
Connections over Compliance
On January 15, 2025, Dr. Lori DeSautels offered a parent presentation as a part of Neshaminy’s Families Connect Program titled Connections over Compliance: Adult Nervous System states through the lens of Applied Educational Neuroscience. A video archive of the webinar can be viewed below. A companion Power Point presentation can be viewed here (PDF format).
Dr. Lori DeSautels is an Assistant Professor at Butler University since 2016 where she teaches both undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Education. Dr. DeSautels was also an Assistant Professor at Marian University in Indianapolis for eight years where she founded the Educational Neuroscience Symposium that has now reached thousands of educators and is in its 15th year.
During this event, Dr. DeSautels helped us explore how the adult nervous system can unintentionally escalate or steady a child when we are aware of how we are experiencing the people, places and conditions around us. Dr. DeSautels shared practices to help us recognize our own behaviors while nourishing our nervous system states as a part of our routines. We explored our own lens of discipline and how our perceptions impact others.
Video Link: https://www.wevideo.com/view/3683477264
2023-2024
April, 2024
Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age
This special event included the viewing of the documentary: Screenagers Under the Influence. The film debunks myths and depicts strategies parents and schools can use to encourage healthy decision-making, support teen mental health, set limits, and create healthy home environments. The film also includes many ways young people are using their wisdom and strength to help each other and themselves through this complicated terrain around substance use. After the film, a panel of experts provided resources and answered questions. All our panelists brought a wealth of information, strategies, and resources. Our panelists included:
- Dr. Gina Ross, Supervisor of Pupil Services, Neshaminy School District
Judy Hirsch, Director of Community Engagement, Be a Part of the Conversation
Dave Fialko and Melanie Swanson, Intervention Specialists, The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania
For more information regarding the viewing of Screenagers Under the Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age CLICK HERE
Local Substance Use Prevention, Treatment & Recovery Support:
Neshaminy Coalition for Youth (NC4Y) – Community Prevention Coalition “helping kids thrive” serving the geographical confines of the Neshaminy School District.
Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc. - Prevention, Treatment, Recovery Support, and Resources.
The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. - Provides a wide range of services to reduce the impact of addiction and improve related health issues for the entire community including families, schools, businesses, individuals and the community.
Lenape Valley Mobile Crisis Intervention Support Services - If you, a friend, or family member need assistance right away, please call us. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-499-7455
Pupil Services with Neshaminy School District
Additional Resources for Caregivers and Educators:
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
National Alliance on Mental Illness - NAMI Bucks County PA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness through recovery-focused support, education and advocacy.
National Suicide & Crisis Website & Text Line - Text TALK to 741741
PA Get Help Now Line – Find Drug & Alcohol Treatment – 1-800-662-HELP
Screen Smart Parenting
On December 13, 2023, Dr. Jessica Janze offered a parent presentation as a part of Neshaminy’s Families Connect Program titled Screen Smart Parenting: Balancing Act for the Digital Generation. A video archive of the webinar can be viewed below. A companion Power Point presentation can be viewed here (PDF format).
Dr. Janze is a psychologist from the Child Mind Institute. She has extensive experience in addressing anxiety, mood, and trauma-related disorders. Her career has spanned various care settings, including schools, inpatient and outpatient hospitals, and community mental health centers. She is well-versed in crisis management, conducting risk assessments, and offering essential support to families during challenging periods.
Navigating Internet Safety webinar
On October 4, Middletown Township Police Officer Melissa Robison, one of Neshaminy's School Resource Officers, offered a parent presentation as a part of Neshaminy’s Families Connect Program titled Navigating Internet Safety: Guardians of the Digital Realm. The webinar Power Point (PDF copy) can be viewed here, and the archive video can be viewed below:
2022-2023 Archive Video
Tobacco, Nicotine, Vaping and Youth: A look at tobacco / vaping trends among adolescents
with David Fialko, Certified Prevention Specialist, Council of Southeast PA
Understanding Stress, Anxiety, and Strategies to Support Your Child
With Susan Damico, Director of Devereux Center for Resilient Children
2021-2022 Archive video
