"The Second Time Around: Grandparents Raising Grandkids"

Youth Connect is partnering with Sewickley Valley YMCA's Family Behavioral Resources Center to offer a wellness workshop called "The Second Time Around: Grandparents Raising Grandkids".  This seminar will take place on Thursday, February 21, 2013 in Sewickley Valley YMCA's Community Activity Center from 10 - 11:30 AM. 

This workshop addresses the very distinct, challenging, and rewarding experiences that families face when grandparents are raising their grandchildren.  This interactive presentation will provide participants with helpful parenting tips that are balanced with self care. A list of local and state resources will be presented at the workshop.  

Featured Presenters:

Catherine Hughes: Catherine is the Director of Family Support for Family Behavioral Resources. Catherine attended Penn State University for Liberal Arts and has 10 years experience in the behavioral health field. Catherine provides caring support to fami-lies and is a valuable community resource She provides training, workshops and is an advocate for early intervention to children with a diagnosis Catherine is the Presi-dent of the Family Behavioral Resources Foundation and volunteers for several com-munity organizations She is also the Director of Family Support Services for AERI Behavioral Health Services.

Brandy Weatherspoon: 

Brandy serves Family Behavioral Resources as the BHRS Clinical Director for FBR in Robinson She has a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Lock Haven University and a Masters Degree in Professional Counseling from Carlow University. She also has nine years of experience in social service. Brandy has extensive experience in dealing with substance abuse, the “at risk” population and behavioral health needs. Brandy is the Team Captain for Walk Now Autism Speaks in Pgh. and also serves on the Walk Planning Committee.

To register call 412-741-9622 or register on-line at www.sewickleyymca.org
For more information contact Karen at 412-741-9622

Teens Lead Discussion on the Big Issues From Their World

Youth Connect, in partnership with Sewickley Academy and QV Voice, presents "Teen Talk," a panel discussion for parents and other caregivers.  The discussion, slated for Friday morning, January 25, will be led by a group of Sewickley Academy Upper School students, as well as members of the QV Voice Peer Advocates, Quaker Valley high school students dedicated to encouraging their fellow students to express opinions and providing resources and strategies through engagement in lunch discussion groups and school-wide presentations and activities.

The student discussion leaders will share some of the major issues teens are facing today, and what parents and other adults can do to help them navigate the teen years.  Using a set of scenarios to describe what a typical teen encounters and works through during the course of his or her high school career, the panel will engage the audience in thinking about ways adults--particularly parents and caregivers--can offer support without being shut down by a self-conscious teem.

"Teen Talk" will take place in the 2nd floor community room at Sewickley Public Library, 500 Thorn Street, starting at 9 am on Friday, January 25^th, 2013.  The program is free and open to the public.  

Sewickley Series Presents "The Power of Two"

Don't miss another incredible installment of Sewickley Academy's Silk Screen Film Series this Saturday! The film that will be shown is "The Power of Two: Twin Sisters, Two Cultures, Two New Chances at Life".

Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Gregg Theater

Sewickley Academy

"The feature directorial debut of Academy Award nominated producer Marc Smolowitz, The Power of Two offers an intimate portrayal of the bond between half-Japanese twin sisters Anabel Stenzel and Isabel Stenzel Byrnes, their lifelong battle with the fatal genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF), survival through miraculous double lung transplants, and improbable emergence as authors, athletes and advocates for organ donation and those suffering from CF in the United States and Japan."

For more information about the entire film series and to register, visit www.sewickley.org/silkscreen.

Learn more about "The Power of Two" and watch the trailer!

All Sewickley Series events are free and open to the public.

QV Provides Resources for Family Response to Tragedy

In light of the Sandy Hook school tragedy last week, Quaker Valley Superintendent Dr. Joseph H. Clapper is encouraging families in the district to discuss the tragic event with their children. He has provided some valuable resources in order to aid these talks.  Family discussions are an important part of grieving, healing, and understanding. Knowledge is a vital tool to prevention and safety for the future.


Talking with Kids about News
Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers


Quaker Valley encourages students and parents to feel comfortable and obliged to share any threatening or troubling information with teachers, counselors, school administrative officials, or law enforcement officials.  Communication is essential in fostering safety in this community.  Anonymous reports can be given to the school district's tipline at 412-749-3633.


In a recent parent letter, Dr. Clapper said, "The events that unfolded on Friday are deeply troubling- especially for young children. Although we cannot makes sense of such a violent act against children, we must do our very best to provide care and reassurance. Please watch your child carefully for any indications that he/she may be struggling emotionally. Our school counselors are here to help our students as well as their parents as we work together to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment."

Heroin Addiction Has A New Face in Pittsburgh

Heroin addiction is a disease that has been described as "the silent killer".  A stereotype exists which says that heroin users are only found in poor, crime-ridden inner-city neighborhoods.  However, this stereotype is no longer a true reality. The Allegheny County Health Department recently reported that in the past ten years, the number of drug overdose deaths, including heroin, have tripled in the Pittsburgh region.  Overdose deaths have taken 261 lives this year so far.  The bulk of these statistics actually come from the suburbs of the city, not urban locations.  The face of heroin use is changing, as the drug is now crossing class, culture, neighborhood, and age demographics.

Heroin is an extremely addictive and destructive drug that is becoming increasingly easier to obtain.  It is defying all former stereotypes as a "gang drug" and is growing in scope and danger.  Many strains available on the streets today, brought into the country from Central Asia, are significantly stronger and more dangerous than the heroin that was on the street in recent years.

Raising awareness about the spread of the disease of heroin addiction can only help families in our region.  Dr. Neil A. Capretto, medical director of Gateway Rehabilitation Center, reported that there have been more heroin overdoses this year than at any other point in Western Pennsylvania's history.  So far there have been over 90 heroin-related deaths in Allegheny County this year.  Of this count, 60% came from the Pittsburgh suburbs.  Regardless of where these deaths are coming from, each is avoidable and efforts should be made to stand against heroin abuse, whether that is in the city or in the suburbs.

It is necessary to address the fact that heroin is a real danger to this community, especially for at-risk youth.  It is our responsibility to raise awareness about the danger of heroin, as well to take practical safeguards and precautions to prevent any more overdose deaths from occurring.  The face of heroin is changing, as should our action against it.

For the original news story from WTAE, click here.

QV Hosts Free Student-Parent Workshop

In order to foster academic and personal excellence in its students, the Quaker Valley School District is offering a three-part series for parents and children entitled, "Promoting Excellence at Home".  The first installation of these workshops will take place this Wednesday, November 28th from 6 to 7:30pm at Osbourne Elementary School.  Dinner and childcare will be provided, as well as raffles and gift card giveaways for attendees!

These workshops will be co-facilitated by author and educator Dr. Don Sheffield and QV community liason Terry Bradford.  Parents will receive a copy of Sheffield's book, Practice Makes Perfect-Not!: Excellence is a Habit.  Sheffield's expertise is focused on the academic and personal development of children, as well as parenting skills in the home.  The workshops will provide practical tips and strategies for overall academic and personal improvement.


Attendees are asked to RSVP to Stephanie McKissic at 412-749-3616 or mckissics@qvsd.org with the number of adults and children planning to attend. For more information regarding the workshop, contact Terry Bradford at 412-414-1335 or via email at Tbradford321@yahoo.com.

This information has been brought to us by Larissa Dudkiewicz at the Sewickley Patch:
http://sewickley.patch.com/articles/parent-workshop-series-to-promote-excellence-at-home?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001.

Support QVSD Education Foundation!

The Friends of Quaker Valley Schools Education Foundation is an incredible, local non-profit organization that is dedicated to supporting the students of the Quaker Valley School District by helping them learn and develop into well-educated, healthy, productive, and socially conscious adults with a life-long commitment to learning.  

Please consider giving to the QVSD Education Foundation's Year End Giving Campaign.  Be a Friend to QVSD by helping it achieve its goal of $50,000 by December 31, 2012.  To give online, simply click here.  

Your donation will be used for the benefit of the QVSD students to fund the following programs: Art & Robotics Club, Annual Hall of Fame honoring a QVSD graduate athlete, Wrestling Club, Floyd Faulkner Community Worker, The Middle School Cyber Wellness Center, Middle School Juggling Club, Instrumental Music, The Young Lions - African American Mentoring Group, College Scholarships and more.

Your support is needed to come alongside the students in QVSD.  Please consider giving!