Whitby School In Greenwich Announces New Speaker Series

Information via Whitby School

GREENWICH, CT — Whitby School announced Friday the launch of a new speaker series focused on "the middle school years."

According to a news release, each of the three sessions will be held virtually and are open to the public. The speakers, all experts in their field, will discuss issues and concerns on many parents' minds and provide practical advice and skills for surviving and thriving during the middle school years. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Dr. Jack Creeden, Whitby Head of School, believes that schools need to provide parents with insights and the tools to help their children succeed inside and outside the classroom, and he is pleased that Whitby can offer guidance with the new speaker series.

"Navigating the middle school years for many students (and parents) can be a challenging period," Creeden said in a news release. "Think about it. Students are in a school section with ages ranging from as young as 10 to as old as 13, each growing and learning at a different pace. Add to that the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional changes, and you have the making for some 'interesting' times."

The Whitby Speakers Series is free and open to the public. All sessions are virtual and will begin at 7 p.m. Those interested can attend by registering online.

Questions about the event can be sent to communications@whitbyschool.org. A full description of each session is included below.

The Whitby Speaker Series – The Middle School Years launches with three speakers

Tuesday, March 9
"Coping with Dual Epidemics - Anxiety During the COVID-19 Crisis"
Dr. Christopher M. Bogart, PhD
Executive Director, Sasco River Center

Dr. Chris Bogart will define what stress is and how it can lead to either stronger resilience or anxiety as children mature. Bogart will discuss current developmental theories for the increase in anxiety and will examine ways that the pandemic is increasing this challenge. Parents will leave the session with concrete ways to help their children and provide suggestions for further learning.

Tuesday, April 6
"Smart but Scattered: Supporting Executive Skill Development in the Middle School Years"
Dr. Peg Dawson, EdD
Co-Author of "Smart but Scattered"

Executive skills are critical to acquiring academic skills, but, more importantly, they are the skills students need to get things done. Some students seem to acquire them naturally, but many students struggle with them. Dr. Peg Dawson will describe how these skills develop throughout childhood, especially in middle school, and suggest strategies parents can use to help children acquire the critical skills they need to succeed.

Thursday, May 6, 2021
"Boys will Be Boys: Insights from the Science on Gender Differences"
Dr. Joseph Demers, PhD
Licensed Psychologist, Sasco River Center

We have all heard the oft-quoted phrase of "boys will be boys" as we try to explain the charming or enraging characteristics of our boys. Dr. Demers will discuss what we know regarding developmental differences relating to brain development that gives insight into possible gender-based learning and behavioral characteristics.