Lower Merion School District Offering Health Topic Sessions Through School Year

The Lower Merion School District and its Interschool Council (ISC) have developed a series of sessions and programs for district parents and guardians to help understand the health-related topics that are prevalent among students of all ages.

Beginning this month, the district and the ISC will offer various sessions and programs monthly until May 2017. The events cover a wide array of topics, such as drug use, food and body image, depression and suicide, vaccinations, social media, and the gender spectrum.

October features two sessions. The first is "Common Health Issues of Elementary Age Children" at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18th at Gladwyne Elementary School. District nursing staff will discuss health issues that affect elementary school children in an an informal question and answer forum. Parents and guardians can expect to hear pertussis, head lice, strep throat, life threatening food allergies and more.

The second session in October is "What Every Parent Needs to Know about Drugs and Teens." The session is scheduled for 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 26 at Lower Merion High School. Christine Storm from the Caron Foundation will talk about the current drug and alcohol trends including gateway drugs with a goal of empowering parents and guardians with effective communication skills when talking with kids about drugs and alcohol, as well as the importance of establishing clear rules and consequences.

The district invites all parents and guardians to attend as many sessions as possible, regardless of what school their child attends.

"It is also our desire that, regardless of the host school, you feel welcomed," the district's website says. "In a District where we have two high schools, two middle schools and six elementary schools, it is important to remember that we are one Lower Merion family. All are welcome!"

Click here to view the rest of the 2016-2017 Health Topics schedule and topics.

The district also is featuring a Love and Logic Parenting Series throughout this academic year. The district's counseling staff will lead the series, in which parents learn to raise self-confident motivated children. Parents and guardians wishing to attend the series should contact the counselor at their child's school to reserve a space, as space is limited.

Image via Lower Merion School District