WELCOME TO B-PEN!

​​Brookline Parent Education Network helps parents navigate the social, emotional and developmental challenges affecting Brookline's teens and pre-teens. B-PEN collaborates with the Public Schools of Brookline and PTO's to facilitate parent connections with:
  • other parents
  • school and town resources
  • helpful information via written/electronic materials on a wide variety of teen concerns​

WHAT'S NEW?

The Culture of Marijuana Use Among Brookline Teens -- What’s Out There & What Parents Need to Know 
Now that marijuana is legal for 21+ and increasingly more accessible, it is important for parents to understand the potency and variety of THC-infused products that Brookline teens might be tempted to try. On December 4, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. in the Brookline High School MLK Room, BHS Peer Leaders and B-PEN (Brookline Parent Education Network) invite you to The Culture of Marijuana Use Among Brookline Teens -- What’s Out There & What Parents Need to Know. The evening will include an original 10-minute video created by students illuminating “Marijuana Products & Paraphernalia,” a panel Q&A with BHS Peer Leaders moderated by Prevention/Intervention Team social worker Mary Minott, as well as tips on how to talk with your teen.
​The Truth About Vaping
Vaping continues to be a big issue with teens, despite Gov. Baker's ban. The parent presentation "The Truth About Vaping" (Oct. 28, 2019, 7 p.m., BHS Auditorium) by Caron Treatment Center’s Education Alliance 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 recommended resources. 

Survival Guide to Parenting Teens -- Child development expert Joani Geltman shares her wit and wisdom on parenting -- here's the Parent Update.
Teen Sexuality in the Era of #MeToo
One of the trickiest challenges of adolescence is navigating the murky waters of romantic attraction and sexuality. In the midst of developing personal identities, pre-teens and teens are also trying to figure out how to forge meaningful relationships with others, and this can be especially confusing in the era of #MeToo. When does harmless flirtation cross the line? How do we talk to adolescents about consent? Read the new parent tip sheet on "Teen Sexuality in the Era of #MeToo."
STUDENT HEALTH SURVEY NOW AVAILABLE
The latest Brookline High School Health Survey XVIII sheds light on 7-12th grade student substance use, sexual practices, mental health concerns, dietary and exercise habits, and more. The report's Executive Summary outlines some of the key details, and data charts illuminate specifics of High School and Middle School. To access the full report, click here.