KO Partners in Learning to Present School Anxiety Program

A program at this Wednesday, Jan. 18, will provide parents with the tools to understand students with school-based anxiety, and to help them cope with it.

The Keystone Oaks Partners in Learning Organization will hold the meeting at 7 p.m. in the library of Dormont Elementary.

Nahir Gordon and Jessica Maher—both therapists with Wesley Spectrum School Based Services who currently provide services within the —will provide facts about school-based anxiety, as well as tools and strategies for helping students cope.

“We thought that since out own mental health therapists deal a lot with these kids, they would be best to come in and talk about how we can help,” said Suzanne Lochie, coordinator of pupil personnel services for the district.

The program is mainly geared toward helping parents of children in elementary through high school understand and support students with school-based anxiety. Discussion also will provide ways for parents to help students cope with anxiety when it becomes extreme enough to affect attendance, grades, friendships and family relationships.

Lochie said Partners in Learning has held meetings for several years. When the group asks presenters to attend, the focus often is on topics that affect special education students.

Specialists give presentations at the meetings every other month. In October, Lochie said, a technology seminar was held. In March, a presentation on improving attention and focus for students with attention issues will be held.

Although the special programs are mainly designed for parents, students are allowed to attend.

“We’ve had students come in the past and they’re more than welcome to come,” Lochie said. “I’ve even had parents call and ask if their student can come. It can be good to have them there.”

Regular monthly meetings are held in the library at Dormont Elementary, and are only for parents. Lochie said the monthly sessions—and the special sessions in particular—have been successful.

“I think everybody who attends the program, for whatever topic it was, it really helps them,” she said. “I know everyone who has come has really enjoyed the speakers.”

Children do not need to be receiving any type of special needs service in order for parents to attend the school-based anxiety program. All Keystone Oaks residents, employees and students can attend. The program is free of charge.

For more information about Keystone Oaks Partners in Learning or special programs, contact Suzanne Lochie at lochie@kosd.org.