Parent Education Programs 2012-2013

Wardlaw School

Parent-Teacher Study Group (PTSG)

January 18^th8:15-10:00am- Guest speaker,Dr. Brian Thomas

February 21^st7:00-9:00pm- Former Student Panel on Life after the Speech School

April 12^th8:15-10:00am- Preparing to Leave the Speech School

October 18^th7:00-9:00pm-Dr. Robert Brooksinternationally known author and lecturer will speak on “Raising a Self-Disciplined, Resilient Child” co-sponsored by the Kenan Preschool and Wardlaw School

Hamm Center

Parent Teacher Club (PTC)

October 19^th8:30am

November 16^th8:30am

November 14^that 10:00am and November 16^that 8:30am- Presentation by Advanced Bionics on “The Listening Room,” an on-line resource that offers games and activities to support listening skills

Kenan

Parent Workshops:

October 11^th9:15-10:30 in Love Auditorium

Life After Preschool, Where Do We Go From Here?

Come hear a presentation byBarbara LevyandFontain Draperon Life After Preschool, Where do we go from here? The topic of discussion is especially relevant to Pre-K and Kindergarten children who are applying out to other schools this year; however, all parents are invited to this informative session.

January 17^th9:15-10:30 in Love Auditorium

Roeline du Plessis, Occupational Therapist will present a workshop on Handwriting Without Tears.

Stepping Stones

Parent Education Night:

November 1^st7:00-8:30 - Staff members will present on handwriting readiness, vocabulary and language development strategies to use at home, and positive behavior support systems. 

February 21^st: topics for discussion to be announced in January

Introductions to new clinical staff

This year we welcome several new clinical staff members:

Toi Curry, Psy.D.is our new Licensed Psychologist in the Learning Evaluation Clinic. She also provides consultative support to the Kenan and Stepping Stones Preschool programs. Dr. Curry earned her undergraduate degree from Marist College and her doctoral degree from Widener University. Her doctoral program included concentrations in both neuropsychology and school psychology, and Dr. Curry is also a certified school psychologist. She has previous experience providing assessment and therapy with adults and children, and has also served as a tutor for individuals with learning difficulties. Most recently, Dr. Curry led the clinical evaluation team at the Regents Center for Learning Disorders at Georgia Southern University where she was also an assistant professor. She also continues to maintain a private practice in Statesboro.

Kelly Cosner, M.S.is an Occupational Therapist who joined our staff this year. Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University, and a master’s degree from Brenau University. She has previous experience working in a daycare and as a Health Fitness Specialist. Kelly was also a former intern at the Atlanta Speech School. She completed her Level I internship in the OT department in April 2010. Kelly will serve as Occupational Therapist in the Stepping Stones Preschool program in addition to serving children in our Occupational Therapy Clinic.

Allison Perez, M.S.is a Speech Language Pathologist who will be serving students in the Stepping Stones Preschool program. She will also provide individual academic remediation for students through the Learning Lab. Allison completed her undergraduate degree at Florida State University and earned a master’s degree from the University of South Florida. She has 18 years of experience serving as a speech language pathologist and teacher in school settings in Florida. She also has extensive experience training teachers and SLPs in phonological awareness instruction and has tutored individual students with reading difficulties.

Meg Anderson, M.Ed.recently completed her Clinical Fellowship Year at the Atlanta Speech School where she served as a teacher in the Stepping Stones Preschool program and also provided individual therapy in the Speech-Language Clinic. Meg returned to the Speech School this year as a full-time employee, continuing in her role as a classroom teacher in the Stepping Stones Preschool and clinician in the clinic. Meg earned her bachelor’s degree from University of Georgia and her master’s degree from Valdosta State University. She has previous training in both school and clinical settings.

We also have two independent contractors serving children in our clinical programs:

Madinah Ralston, Ph.D.is a licensed psychologist who is continuing to provide evaluations through the Learning Evaluation Clinic. She began working in the clinic during the 2011-2012 school year. Dr. Ralston has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from State University of New York, and earned her doctoral degree from Kent State University. She has experience providing evaluation and therapy services in several outpatient settings and is also an adjunct professor at Argosy University where she teaches graduate level courses in psychology.

Cynthia Fenton, Au.D. is an audiologist who will be serving children through our Audiology Clinic. Dr. Fenton will provide routine hearing screenings for children across our school programs and also provide audiological services through the clinic. Dr. Fenton has a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University, a master’s degree from University of Tennessee, and doctoral degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry. She has several years of experience in both school and hospital settings.

Ongoing Clinical Programs:

Parenting with Love and Logic – First class starts October 11, 2012

Parenting with Love and Logic is an approach to raising children that provides loving support from parents while at the same time expecting children to be respectful and responsible.

The Love and Logic philosophy:

• Offers simple and practical techniques

• Encourages healthy communication

• Helps parents have less stress and more fun

• Puts parents back in control

• Helps raise responsible children

• Prepares children to live in the real world

Course fee - $50 per family. Fee includes course materials, light refreshments, and seven two-hour classes. The course is open to Speech School families, as well as the general community. Space is limited. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarships are available for Speech School families.For more information, pleasecontact Kim Allocca at 404-233-5332, ext. 3186 or kallocca@atlspsch.org.

Toddler Talk and Play – First session starts October 25, 2012

Toddler Talk & Playis a four-week prevention and enrichment program designed to equip parents with the skills necessary to stimulate their toddler’s speech, language, social, and motor skill development. Children in the program should be between the ages of 18-26 months who are not currently receiving intervention services for a known developmental delay. Each week, parents and toddlers will participate in fun and engaging educational activities that are designed to foster development and prepare children for preschool. For more information, or to register, please contact Fontina Rashid, Clinic Coordinator, at 404-233-5332 orfrashid@atlspsch.org.