200 Westfield Parents Attend Self-Esteem Seminar at Roosevelt Middle School

Nearly 200 parents came out to Roosevelt Middle School last month to learn how to raise resilient girls at an evening seminar presented by Simone Marean, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Girls Leadership Institute (GLI).

Marean shared with parents and teachers ways to help girls practice assertive, self-expression, emotional intelligence, and healthy relationships, preparing them for a life of personal and societal leadership.

Since her presentation covered the development of girl dynamics beginning in preschool through high school, parents of elementary and intermediate students were invited to attend. Parents also were informed that although Marean’s research focused on girls, many of the principles and concepts are relevant to the social and emotional development of both boys and girls.

“As a parent, I share many of the same struggles as many of my friends…we are trying to do something for our girls that we don’t necessarily know how to do for ourselves,” said Jennifer Richter, parent of a Roosevelt student. “That said, after hearing Executive Director Simone Marean speak, I feel I now have more tools in my tool box to help guide my daughter during these challenging, and often tumultuous, adolescent times.”

The Jan. 28 presentation at Roosevelt Middle School marked the second Coffee with Counselors event organized by Roosevelt Intermediate School counselors Christine Trottere, Kim Schumacher, and Stephanie Thompson.

“After the presentation and the question and answer session that followed, it was clear that parents would be leaving with language to use at home to resolve conflicts effectively,” noted Trottere.

“Real examples of how a child can take ownership and problem-solve were offered to parents,” added Schumacher.

“I feel that parents left with the foundation of a plan for healthy communication at school and at home,” stated Thompson.

Roosevelt Intermediate School plans on holding its third Coffee with Counselors event at a morning session in the spring.

Pictured: From left, Roosevelt Intermediate School Counselors Christine Trottere, Kim Schumacher, and Stephanie Thompson invited all elementary and intermediate school parents in the Westfield Public Schools to the second Coffee with Counselors, which featured ways to help girls practice assertive, self-expression, emotional intelligence, and healthy relationships, preparing them for a life of personal and societal leadership.

Photo courtesy of Lorre Korecky

For breaking news alerts and more from Patch, sign up for the daily newsletter by clicking on the links below.

Westfield* Clark-Garwood* Cranford* New Providence-Berkeley Heights * Scotch Plains-Fanwood* Springfield* Summit* Chatham* West Orange

More on Patch:

• Convicted: Union County Cop With HIV Had Sex With Two Women Without Revealing Status
• Cops Stop Teens for Shoveling Snow, Stirring A Heap Of Controversy
• Prosecutor: Union County Men Sexually Assaulted Mentally Disabled Woman, Forced Her Out In Snowstorm
• Cranford Teen Killed In Car Crash at Union County Park
• Before It Melts: 5 Places to Go Sledding In Union County