We are excited to let you know that SD19 is running a Parent and Caregiver Series again this year.  Thanks to the feedback we received last year, we are holding these sessions during the winter months when the days are shorter and families are more available. These sessions are open to all parents, caregivers, school district employees, and community partners who would like to come together to learn. We will have tea and treats and there will be a virtual option if you would prefer.

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January 28th – Responding to Our Children’s Challenging Behaviours (whether they are 5 or 15 years old!)

with Hilla Shlomi, CYMH   

Where: Begbie View Elementary School library

When: 6:30-8:00 pm

Virtual Link: January 28th Virtual Link

All children “misbehave” at times, and all parents struggle with how to effectively respond to these behaviours. This session will introduce parents to an attachment-based, emotion-focused approach to responding to children’s challenging behaviours.

Hilla is an Associate Team Leader and a Clinician at Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) here in Revelstoke. CYMH offers culturally responsive, inclusive, and family-centered services for Indigenous and non-Indigenous children and youth with mental health and wellness needs that impact their daily life. Hilla graduated with her MSW in 2015 and has worked in the field of child and youth mental health ever since. Before joining CYMH in 2022, Hilla worked at the School of Social Work at UBC Okanagan where she trained and supervised MSW students providing child and youth mental health services. Hilla is trained in Emotion-Focused Family Therapy and Circle of Security Parenting and is passionate about supporting caregivers in their caregiving journey. Hilla moved to Revelstoke in summer 2023 and has been loving this small and vibrant community.

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February 26th – Video Games – Risks and Benefits

with Dr Bret Batchelor

Where: Arrow Heights Elementary School Library

When: 6:30-8:00 pm

Virtual Link: February 26th Virtual Link

This session will cover the current evidence for both the benefits and the risks of video gaming. Further, Dr Batchelor will discuss the concepts of in person gaming versus online gaming.

Dr. Batchelor joined Selkirk Medical as a family physician in 2016.  He is the Chief of Surgery at Queen Victoria Hospital.  His full service practice includes primary care, emergency and inpatient medicine, obstetrics, and surgery. Dr. Batchelor is the provincial lead for remote presence technology enhancements in BC’s Rural Surgical and Obstetrical Network Initiative. He’s a passionate advocate for the sustainability of Revelstoke’s local surgical and obstetrical services, as well as rural surgical and obstetrical care for all of Canada. He is also the host of the medical podcast ‘Really Rural Surgery and Obstetrics’. Dr Batchelor works in the RSS Medical clinic once every three weeks, rotating with two other local physicians.

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April 28th – Why Kids Need Grown-ups to be in Charge, and What Almost Always Gets in the Way

 with Dr Vanessa Lapointe 

Where: Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre

When: 6:30-8:00 pm

Virtual Link: April 28th Virtual Link

It sort of goes without saying that grown-ups need to be in charge. And yet, being in charge can be a whole lot easier said than done. In fact, Dr. Vanessa believes that the greatest crisis facing children today is that it is the children who are in charge rather than the grown-ups. It can feel like things have been turned upside down, and you find the child telling you what to do and how to do it – being bossy, demanding, prescriptive, and generally large and in charge! There is a reason this is happening with increasing frequency for children. Contrary to popular culture, this reason is not that children need a firmer, stricter hand. The true reason for why children are adopting the large and in charge stance is much more complex. Dr. Vanessa will shine a bright light on the real essence of leadership when it comes to child raising, and how to guide children to a place of emotional rest as you – the big person – steps back in as their ultimate guide.

Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, a parenting educator, best-selling author, and international speaker,
transitioned from practicing psychologist to global parenting advocate. With a psychology
doctorate and over 20 years of experience, she now leads The North Star Developmental Clinic, supporting families by helping adults view the world through children’s eyes.