There are some great FREE programs coming up next week: sleep tips for teens, 2 substance awareness presentations for parents, and the 3rd annual Gratitude on the Green! Also, hot off the press: Two upcoming showings of "Screenagers: Under the Influence" at both the high school and middle school levels. Learn more below!
Free Sleep Workshop for Teens
Dr. Wendy Hurwitz is coming back to Norwalk Public Library! Over the summer, her teen workshops on executive functioning & coping skills were really great, and now she's back to help middle & high schoolers learn to improve their sleep. Better sleep equals better mental health, physical health, and even grades! Please RSVP here. Thanks to High Focus Treatment Centers for providing pizza & cupcakes! (Also: Save the date for her to be back on December 7th with "Ten Tips to Manage Stress"!)
Substance Awareness Programs for Parents
Two of TNP's leadership team are collaborating on a presentation at NPS Family Center this coming Monday! Norwalk's own Ginger Katz started the Courage to Speak Foundation when her beloved son, Ian, died from a heroin overdose. In her "Courageous Parenting 101: Parenting through the Drug Crisis & Beyond" presentation, Ginger will share the story of how Ian started using drugs and got addicted and what she's learned about effective communication and consequences. Margaret Watt, from Positive Directions, will discuss what we learned from last year's Norwalk Youth Survey about local teens' current beliefs and practices related to substances, and will share key messages parents should know. Resource information will be available.
On Wednesday, Margaret will be back at the library for a talk with Q&A about today's marijuana. Come learn how today's plant and products have changed; what people should know about the effects of cannabis on driving, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and teens; and get information about protecting kids and responsible adult use. RSVP here--or just come!
(To join TNP's Marijuana/Vaping Committee, which meets on 1st Wednesdays from 3:30-5pm online, every other month, email mwatt@positivedirections.org)
Screenagers: Under the Influence
Our children constantly get messages (both directly and indirectly) about alcohol, vaping, and cannabis from social media, TV, and movies. They can also access the products through online outlets. In our post-COVID world, it seems that these issues are starting to increase again, so please plan to attend one of our 2 upcoming events to learn more! We'll be showing the 2023 documentary "Screenagers: Under the Influence," thanks to the license purchased by Norwalk Education Foundation. (Watch film trailer here.) Local experts will have a Q&A and there will be resource tables... and more!
For high school families: November 20th, 6:30pm, hosted by Norwalk High/PTECH and open to all high school families in Norwalk
For middle school families: Ponus Ridge/CMS will show the film as part of a health & wellness fair with pizza & raffles. Tentative date: December 6th, 6:30-8pm.
Gratitude on the Green
"In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy." -Brother David Steindl-Rast
We all know the proverb, "count your blessings," but did you know that building a gratitude practice into your daily life will improve your mental health, relationships, and more? There are so many ways to practice gratitude: daily reflection, journaling, a gratitude circle, and much more. Come experience the benefits of a community gratitude activity at the 3rd annual Gratitude on the Green event, next Monday at 6pm. Spread the word!
Comments