Movie Screening: "If they had known"

All parents, guardians and community members are invited to a showing of the movie "If they had known." This movie (which our Senior Class will view separately as well) was created in response to the accidental death of Clay Soper in Winchester, MA. Clay Soper's parents, Genny and Geoff Soper, will be in attendance at the evening showing for parents and guardians.

The panel discussion following the film will address the ways we can utilize the film’s message to support and guide the adolescents in our lives.

The panel moderator will be CSW's Director of Community Health and Counseling, Jen Quest-Stern. Jen works with the health team colleagues to provide support and programs in many areas of emotional and physical well being, health, and safety. She is available to talk about many issues which include, but are not limited to: stress management, anxiety and depression, mindfulness; sexuality and gender; substances abuse; eating patterns, nutrition, and body image; safety and relational health.

The panelists for this discussion are:

 

Bernice Ruiz, CSW Health Educator/9th Grade Counselor and Dorm Parent
As our health educator, Bernice will address the importance of meeting students where they are developmentally when addressing these issues. She notes that statistically, most people don’t “party” so it's helpful to look at all the ways this movie can be impactful such as teaching students how to address a friend who you are concerned about or how to think about your own life and behaviors that could be “fun” but are also addictive or risky. Bernice will also address how we teach this issue to 9th graders and younger high school students as this movie tells a story of a young college student.

Kellie Connarton, Detective of Weston Police Department
Kellie will bring a point of view on the risks associated with "party culture" and observed increases in injury/accidents over the past few years due to the recreational use of prescription drugs. Kellie will also address how to safely manage the wide access we all have to prescription drugs.

 

Sherri Ettinger, Director of Simmons University Counseling Center
Sherri will address healthy independence by discussing ways to communicate directly with children about how they can take care of their body and mind, prepare for the transition to college. She will provide a framework for addressing some of the social decisions college students face and help plan out when/how students can reach out for help in the college setting.