B-PEN (Brookline Parent Education Network) helps parents navigate the social, emotional and developmental challenges affecting today’s teens and pre-teens – common challenges that can lead to risky behavior. An outreach initiative that collaborates with Brookline school administrators and PTO’s, the organization’s goals are to facilitate parent connections:
* with other parents,
* with school and town resources, and
* with helpful information via written/electronic materials on a wide variety of
teen concerns.
SURGEON GENERAL RELEASES ADVISORY ON YOUTH VAPING
On Dec. 18, Surgeon General Jerome Adams issued an advisory on e-cigarettes to protect youth from nicotine addiction and associated health risks. Here are the basics. And keep in mind Brookline parents/teens can contact the health department's Prevention Team (Mary Minott and Kendall Jones at 617-713-5155) with any questions and concerns. Brookine's recent presentation "The Truth About Vaping" offered parents a wealth of information and strategies regarding the troubling epidemic of vaping among Brookline youth. Click here for The Bottom Line takeaway of key points and resources. THE BOTTOM LINE: WHAT ARE BHS TEENS REALLY UP TO? B-PEN’s recent Freshman Scenario Parent Meeting explored some of the unique challenges BHS freshmen commonly face, asking parents to collectively brainstorm strategies for a variety of situations they may face with their teens. Click here for the event's KEY POINTS sheet. In addition, B-PEN’s "What are BHS Teens Really Up To?” provides recent stats and local resources. |
WELLNESS SUMMIT ON "TEEN RELATIONSHIPS IN THE ERA OF #METOO"
On December 6, Brookline’s Prevention/Intervention Team at BHS (a partnership of the Brookline public schools and the town health department) hosted a Wellness Summit entitled “Teen Relationships in the Era of #MeToo.” It brought together roughly 80 members from all sectors of the community, including school staff, students, and parents, to brainstorm concrete strategies for fostering healthy relationships in what BHS Peer Leaders call “a culture of toxic masculinity,” which reflects a national climate of pervasive incivility and disrespectful sexual attitudes and behavior. Read the Summary Report here, which outlines some of the recommended strategies. 8th grade parents: BHS Crash Course: The Unofficial Guide to Brookline High Are you and your adolescent wondering about next year’s transition to BHS? Read the Parent Letter here on this excellent opportunity. |
LISTEN * TALK * LISTEN With this new campaign, B-PEN is collaborating with youth organizations in Belmont, Waltham, and Watertown to reinforce the findings that kids who believe their parents disapprove of underage drinking are less likely to drinking. Parents do make a difference! Click here for our page on this initiative, which contains tips, facts, and links to helpful resources.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
As part of a multi-year effort to implement restorative practices throughout our schools, PSBMA is scheduling staff training sessions as well as community information sessions open to all district families and co-facilitated by staff from the Suffolk University Center for Restorative Justice. Click here for Supt. Andrew Bott’s introductory letter and a full schedule of public info sessions.
As part of a multi-year effort to implement restorative practices throughout our schools, PSBMA is scheduling staff training sessions as well as community information sessions open to all district families and co-facilitated by staff from the Suffolk University Center for Restorative Justice. Click here for Supt. Andrew Bott’s introductory letter and a full schedule of public info sessions.
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STUDENT HEALTH SURVEY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NOW AVAILABLE The latest Brookline High School Health Survey sheds light on 7-12th grade student substance use, sexual practices, mental health concerns, dietary and exercise habits, and more. The Executive Summary outlines some of the pertinent details, and data charts illuminate specifics of High School and Middle School. To access the full report, click here. SENDING A CHILD OFF TO COLLEGE? Preparing to send your child off to college is a complex process that involves a lot more than packing up supplies and setting up their dorm room. This is a time for continued guidance to help your child become more independent. One very important way to set up your student for a healthy college career is by preparing for their medical independence. Dr. Anjini Virmani offers two tip sheets – one for STUDENTS, one for PARENTS – that can outline critical information about student health as they transition to college, from consent issues to health insurance guidelines and helpful resources. |
THE SECRET LIFE OF TEENS & TWEENS
Jon Mattleman’s high-energy parenting presentation April 4 actively focused on what teens are really thinking, what they fear, why they don’t share more, and how adults can effectively support them. A mental health counselor and trainer with 30 years' experience working with youth and parents, Mattleman covered areas such as depression, suicide, 'acting out' behaviors, substance use, and more, helping parents discover effective strategies, new ways of understanding youth behavior, and innovative techniques for engaging the teens in their lives. Click here for a list of his recommended reading and a B-PEN Resource List. A WHOLE LOTTA VAPING GOING ON Vaping and e-cigarettes are providing an accessible and sneaky way for kids to smoke – some vape pens (juuls) work without fumes or visible vapors to give them away. And at BHS, there’s a whole lot of vaping going on, increasing nicotine consumption and providing new ways to smoke marijuana. B-PEN recommends this excellent new newsletter from Wachusett Regional High School's Head of Guidance, Jon Krol, that offers a lot of basic info parents need to know - https://www.smore.com/td0s1 And Stanford has an excellent Tobacco Prevention Toolkit with loads of helpful information. |
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PEER LEADERS TALK ABOUT FRESHMAN YEAR
This excellent and very insightful little video features some of Brookline High School's most eloquent Peer Leaders talking about some of the things they were most nervous about heading into their freshman year at BSH and how they dealt with those fears to promote success going forward. You might be surprised at some of the things they say! Check it out.... And for parents of seniors, check out the new Parent Update on MANAGING SENIOR YEAR STRESS. |
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WHAT ARE BROOKLINE KIDS UP TO THESE DAYS?
Did you know that among Brookline adolescents alcohol and marijuana use is down, but reports of overwhelming stress and anxiety are up – 82% among 9th-12th graders, 79% among 7th-8th graders. These are just some of the key results from the Brookline Public School’s latest Student Health Survey, part of Brookline Department of Public Health’s Healthy Brookline Vol. XVII. The survey’s Executive Summary as well as a Summary Comparison Tables pdf are now available as well. In addition, the Brookline Wellness Committee summit “What Are Brookline Kids Really Up To?” examined some of the latest statistics, and participants brainstormed ideas for addressing many of the most pressing concerns.
USE "CERTS" FOR HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
Whether you're sending an adolescent off to college or back into the social quagmire of middle and high school life, it's good to reinforce some basic information about healthy relationships. When considering romantic entanglements, the CERTS model is a terrific reference to keep in mind:
Consent (needs to be mutual, sober, awake, enthusiastic, verbal – if mixed messages, slow down)
Equality
Respect
Trust
Safety
Did you know that among Brookline adolescents alcohol and marijuana use is down, but reports of overwhelming stress and anxiety are up – 82% among 9th-12th graders, 79% among 7th-8th graders. These are just some of the key results from the Brookline Public School’s latest Student Health Survey, part of Brookline Department of Public Health’s Healthy Brookline Vol. XVII. The survey’s Executive Summary as well as a Summary Comparison Tables pdf are now available as well. In addition, the Brookline Wellness Committee summit “What Are Brookline Kids Really Up To?” examined some of the latest statistics, and participants brainstormed ideas for addressing many of the most pressing concerns.
USE "CERTS" FOR HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
Whether you're sending an adolescent off to college or back into the social quagmire of middle and high school life, it's good to reinforce some basic information about healthy relationships. When considering romantic entanglements, the CERTS model is a terrific reference to keep in mind:
Consent (needs to be mutual, sober, awake, enthusiastic, verbal – if mixed messages, slow down)
Equality
Respect
Trust
Safety
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SCREENAGERS Event Examined Our Use of Digital Devices
B-PEN’s recent sold-out showings of the documentary “Screenagers” reflect how concerning the issue of adolescent digital screen overuse is for Brookline students and parents. Click here to read B-PEN's Parent Update on "Teens & Screens," which includes a film and discussion summary, a list of BHS Peer Leaders' recommended strategies, the BHS policy on the use of personal electronic devices, and links to helpful resources. Report Now Available for Wellness Summit on
The Changing Landscape - Addressing the Challenges of Teen Substance Abuse Brookline’s recent community Wellness Summit gathered parents, students, school staff/administration, health experts, police, and community members to address the changing landscape of teen substance abuse. The overall goal was to explore current trends and brainstorm strategies around the following issues: alcohol and high risk behaviors (binge drinking, house parties, sexual activity); marijuana (changing laws and the impact of underage use); prescription drug misuse; connections between substance use and mental health; the chemical culture of athletics; and the adult role in intervention. Parent Updates on each issue will be released throughout the school year. (To read the full forum report, click here.) |
TIPS FOR MANAGING TEEN STRESS
While optimal levels of stress can help us adapt and grow, it can be tricky with adolescents to discern between normal mood fluctuations and stress that is part of a more serious issue with depression and/or anxiety that requires help. For some basic guidelines, check out the MENTAL HEALTH page of the site and B-PEN’s Parent Update on “Adolescent Anxiety and Depression.” If you think your child needs help, click here for a list of local and state resources. PARENT NETWORK CONNECTIONS
One of B-PEN’s primary missions is to provide opportunities for parents to connect with one another regarding some of the common social/emotional issues all our adolescents face as they develop. To complement regular PTO meetings, grade-geared Parent Network get-togethers at each school can provide opportunities for helping parents get to know, support and strategize with one another. Check out the Discussion Guides for Parent Networks created to support Parent Network meetings. For help starting a Parent Network or more information on B-PEN’s offerings and resources, contact June Harris, june_harris@psbma.org or Karen Campbell kcampbell@brooklinema.gov |
WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LEGALIZED MARIJUANA
In Massachusetts, recreational marijuana for those 21 and older has been legalized. This can send mixed messages to adolescents about the possible harmful effects of marijuana, so it’s especially important to engage in meaningful conversations now and often, with the most important message being a simple one – Marijuana can have damaging effects on the developing teen brain. Here are some talking points for "Why Not Pot" and Here's a little primer of information to help you start the conversation...
In Massachusetts, recreational marijuana for those 21 and older has been legalized. This can send mixed messages to adolescents about the possible harmful effects of marijuana, so it’s especially important to engage in meaningful conversations now and often, with the most important message being a simple one – Marijuana can have damaging effects on the developing teen brain. Here are some talking points for "Why Not Pot" and Here's a little primer of information to help you start the conversation...
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