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FRN to Host Workshops For Parents of Middle-Schoolers

Photo by Betsy Bethel Discussing plans for the upcoming Middle School Parent Night are, from left, Claudia Raymer, Ohio County Family Resource Network; Heather Lewis, Bridge Street Middle School counselor; Betsy Jones, Triadelphia Middle School counselor; and Erin McFarland, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston school counselor.

The Ohio County Family Resource Network will hold a middle school parent night on from 6-7:50 p.m. Nov. 3 at Bridge Street Middle School in Elm Grove, Wheeling. The event is open to all parents of middle-schoolers, whether in public, private or homeschooled.

The Family Resource Network holds Health and Wellness Conferences for students at each of the public middle schools in Ohio County. It is now expanding this initiative to share information with parents. The parents-only evening will provide participants with the opportunity to attend their choice of three 30-minute workshops on a variety of topics, including drug trends, social media safety and mental health.

“Each school year, the middle school students participate in their Health and Wellness Conference at school. We wanted to provide that same opportunity for parents. Information on social issues and technology changes quickly. It is important that parents get current information from experts in a variety of topics. Through this collaboration, parents will get that opportunity,” said Claudia Raymer, executive director of the Ohio County Family Resource Network.

Erin McFarland, counselor for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, also is helping to plan the event along with Raymer and counselors from the public schools.

“This evening will give parents some insight on how to handle some of the most difficult topics and conversations that are necessary to have with their children. Children are exposed to much more than we were and it is our obligation as parents to stay as informed as possible.”

The six topics being offered are:

— “Anxiety, Depression and Suicide” presented by Melody Osborne, Adolescent Health Initiative: Parents will learn to identify causes and symptoms of stress and anxiety and get tips on how to deal with those symptoms.

— “Social Media Safety” presented by Chris Frizzell, U.S. Attorney’s Office: This session will give parents up-to-date information and tips on keeping children safe online.

— “Let’s Talk (About Sex)” presented by Carrie Linn, Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative: This is a straightforward discussion to banish myths and increase knowledge to help parents talk to children about sex.

— “Safe Dating and Healthy Relationships” presented by Cheryl Kaczor, WVU Extension Office: Parents will learn how to reduce dating risks, recognize unsafe situations and people,nd how to identify the qualities of a healthy relationship.

— “Current Drug Trends”  presented by Latrisha Whitelatch, Community Impact Coalition: The presenter will talk about drug trends in West Virginia, what they look like, symptoms of use and where to get help for a loved one.

— “Healthy Boundaries” presented by Kim Watson, Northwood Health Systems: Parenting a middle schooler isn’t easy. This workshop teaches how to be involved and offer guidance while respecting the growing independence of children in middle school.

Noted Bridge Street Middle School counselor Heather Lewis: “Educating our children and parents is crucial in the society that we live in nowadays. The more information we can share is imperative for our whole community!”

Osborne with the Adolescent Health Initiative has participated in several of the Health and Wellness Conferences for middle-schoolers. She will be presenting much of the same information to the parents on Nov. 3.

“Participating in the Health and Wellness Conferences provides me with the opportunity to educate young people on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of both anxiety and depression, two of the most common mental health disorders diagnosed in both our adolescent and adult population. My goal is to not only teach them how to recognize these symptoms in themselves but to also help them learn how to identify concerning behaviors in their peers and/or family members.”

Transportation and child care are available with RSVP to the child’s school or to the Ohio County Family Resource Network by Tuesday (Oct. 25).

For more information, contact Claudia Raymer at 304-232-5600 or OhioCounty FRN@yahoo.com.

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