Welcome back to school! We hope you have had a fun-filled summer with your family. Weber Middle School's administration and Mental Health Team worked throughout the summer to prepare for another exceptional educational experience for each child. We are looking forward to a successful year at Weber Middle School, and we hope you are too! Thank you for your support as we embark on another awesome school year!

The Mental Health staff was so happy to see so many smiling faces at Open School Night. Being able to greet the parents in person was the highlight of our evening. For many of us it was nice to catch up with families and find out how our former students were doing. The Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Assistant Principals introduced themselves throughout the night during class time. It was important to us that families knew what our roles are and how we can support your children academically and emotionally. We shared that sentiment with the children as well when we visited the 6th grade classes during the first few days of school. We let the kids know we have an open door policy and how they can ask for an appointment any time. Feel free to contact us if you would like to share anything about your child or if you have any questions or concerns.

Elizabeth Shirian is the Blue House Counselor. She started as an intern and then worked in a leave replacement position at Weber, for the Red House in 2007. She took time after that experience to finish her clinical counseling coursework and internships at LIU Post and North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center. She has been the Blue House counselor since 2012. Ms. Shirian has three children and two young grandchildren. During her time off, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and traveling. She speaks some Spanish and is fluent in Farsi. She loves working with middle school age students and families to help them navigate this critical stage academically, socially, and emotionally.

Fun Fact: Mrs. Shirian started at Weber as an intern for Mrs. Weiner in the red house.

Phone Number: (516) 767-5543

Email: eshirian@portnet.org

Stacey Mullins is the school counselor for the Green House at Weber Middle School. She joined the Weber Mental Health team in September 2016. Mrs. Mullins obtained her master’s degree in school counseling at LIU Post. She also holds a master's degree in Elementary Education grades K-6 from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. Mrs. Mullins completed her undergraduate degree at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA with a major in Psychology. Mrs. Mullins is married and has 3 children in their 20s. She feels fortunate that her children live nearby in NYC and Greenwich, CT. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children as well as her close friends. She also loves to take long walks, hike, swim, play tennis and travel. Mrs. Mullins taught 2nd grade over 20 years ago. After being out of the workforce for many years to raise her children, she feels blessed to return to a school environment working with children once again. She is grateful for the warm and welcoming environment that Weber Middle School has provided for her. Mrs. Mullins enjoys being involved in the school community. She helps to run the Humanitarian Committee as well at the Weber Stars program. Her goal every day is to try to make a positive impact with every student, parent and teacher she encounters.

Fun Fact: Mrs. Mullins favorite food is pizza, she could eat it every single day and never get sick of it.

Phone Number: (516) 767-5542

Email: smullins@portnet.org

Fran Weiner is the veteran member of the mental health counselors, having been at Weber for over 27 years. She is the school counselor for the Red House. She attended the University of Delaware and studied Criminal Justice. Ms. Weiner received her school counseling degree at LIU Post. She is married and has twin boys who just started high school. She enjoys watching her sons play soccer and baseball. In her free time Ms. Weiner enjoys baking, photography, thrifting, spending time with family and friends, and anything creative. She recently took up hiking and feels that being in nature is a great way to destress. When she allows herself to relax, she can be found watching Big Brother or Law and Order SVU or you might find her taking a nap! When you visit her office, you can’t help but look around. She has pictures, inspirational quotes, a wall of fame, a quilt, duct tape, sand, fidget toys, and stress balls. Ms. Weiner finds her job as a counselor rewarding and can’t believe she made a career out of being a good listener and offering advice. She helps run Weber’s Humanitarian Committee. Ms. Weiner welcomes her students with an open-door policy and believes in equity and access for all.

Fun Fact: Mrs. Weiner did an internship in a maximum-security juvenile jail in Delaware.

Phone Number: (516) 767-5541

Email: fweiner@portnet.org

Dina VonSalzen has had the pleasure of being the Yellow House school counselor for the last 7 years and enjoys how every day is a new adventure! She studied Psychology at SUNY Cortland, and she received her school counseling degree from LIU Post. She was born and raised on Long Island, and looks forward to continuing to be part of the Port Washington educational community for many years to come. Prior to coming to Weber, she spent time working with young adults with special needs in a private supported living program, as well as working as a teaching assistant at Developmental Disabilities Institute. When she’s not at Weber, she enjoys traveling with her pilot husband, spending time with her tortoise son, singing karaoke, and dressing up for Halloween (or really any theme/holiday, for that matter!). She also loves using movement as a coping strategy - whether it be dancing, going for walks, playing tennis or going to the gym. Please feel free to swing by her office which has a relaxing “zen corner.” It includes Kinetic Sand, Play-Doh, coloring books and stress balls for those times you may just need a break.

Fun Fact: She was a contestant on Wheel of Fortune, so if you stop by to see her, she may even just tell you what she won!

Phone Number: (516)767-5545

Email: dvonsalzen@portnet.org

You child's School Counselor works with you, your child's teachers, administrators, and the student themselves on:

• Academic support, including organizational, study and test-taking skills
• Goal setting and decision-making
  
• Education on understanding self (including strengths and weaknesses) and others
  
• Peer relationships, coping strategies and effective social skills
  
• Communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution
• Multicultural/diversity awareness
  
• Transition plans
  
• Individual and small-group counseling
  
• Individual/family/school crisis intervention
  
• Consultation/collaboration
  
• Referrals
  

Melanie Ginsberg is the school psychologist for Blue and Green Houses and is a recent member of the mental health team, marking her second year at Weber Middle School. She attended undergrad at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, earning a BS in Psychology and Religious Studies; where she was also a First Team All American Athlete and member of the 1992 Championship Field Hockey Team. Ms. Ginsberg achieved her degree as a School Psychologist at Teachers College, Columbia University. Throughout her career, Ms. Ginsberg has worked both in schools and in non for profit community mental health. She finds her work with students to be meaningful and enjoyable. She has a 10 year old therapy dog named Betsy and often they volunteer in the community and in health care facilities together.

Fun Fact: She was married live on NBC’s TODAY Show in September 2000

Phone Number: (516)767-5544

Email: mginsberg@portnet.org

Janna Amigon has been the school psychologist for the Red and Yellow Houses for the past ten years. Her interest in psychology began at the age of 15 when she volunteered to help kindergarteners in a special education school. She realized the importance of positive attention and how that could help change behavior and brighten a student’s day. Since then she has always had jobs working with children, such as being a lifeguard, swim instructor, preschool teaching assistant and paraprofessional. Dr. Amigon attended Binghamton University and was part of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. She earned her Masters’ and Doctoral Degrees in School-Child Clinical Psychology at Pace University. Dr. Amigon is married with two young boys, ages 3 and 9 months. She loves Broadway and sports and is a diehard NY Rangers and NY Jets fan. On the weekends, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. You can catch her swimming with her sons, watching her son play soccer or baseball or going to a local fall festival with her family. Dr. Amigon loves to travel and learn about other cultures. She has visited many different countries, including Honduras, Mexico, Japan, England and Greece. Her passion for school psychology revolves around her desire to make sure that every student grows to feel supported, important and develops a positive sense of self based on their own unique strengths and interests.

Fun Fact: She has seen over 200 Broadway shows in her lifetime!

Phone Number: (516)767-5516

Email: jamigon@portnet.org

School Psychologists Work With Students, Families, and Educators to:

• Improve academic achievement through collecting and interpreting student and classroom data, consulting about student and classroom behavior, and conducting psychological assessments.
• Promote positive behavior and mental health through conducting individual or group counseling about coping skills, anger management, social skills, and conflict resolution, conducting assessments of social-emotional and behavioral needs, and working with community-based providers.
• Supporting diverse learners by providing culturally and linguistically responsive evaluations of students unique and diverse learning needs and collaborating with school teams to help improve student engagement and learning.
• Create safe, positive school climates through the implementation of school-wide positive behavioral supports (SWPBIS) and through the provision of crisis prevention and intervention services.
• Strengthen family-school partnerships through helping families understand their children's learning and mental health needs, connecting families with community service providers, providing parent workshops throughout the district.
• Improve school-wide assessment and accountability through consultation with school teams monitoring student, classroom, and school-wide progress with academics and behavior.

Monica Chuchon is the bilingual social worker for the Blue and Yellow Houses. She is thrilled to be a school social worker in her 2nd year at Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School. She is the mother of 2 wonderful boys ages 7 and 12, and she loves baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis and volleyball. Ms. Chuchon was born in Chosica, Peru and her family immigrated to the United States when she was 5 years old. Her family and immigrant experiences have led her to the human services and social work profession, allowing her to help others and serve her community. She graduated and completed her LMSW from LIU Post with a concentration in Forensics. She obtained an undergraduate degree in International Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Her social work experience has been focused on working with families experiencing trauma with a strength-based perspective. Her specialty has been working with young mothers raising their children with a trauma informed focus. She has extensive experience in group work with a focus on various early childhood traumas that impact the Latinx community. She is Vice President and owner of a Group Family Child Care Program approved by the New York State Office of Children and Families Services-OCFS in Nassau County. She has been a childcare provider for 12 years working with children 2 months to 12 years old. She is an advocate and member of the National Association of Social Workers-Nassau County Division, Long Island Language Advocates Coalition-LILAC, Hempstead Prevention Coalition-HPC, Hempstead Caring Hearts and the Long Island Teachers Association-LILTA organizations that serve low-income communities and continue to advocate to prevent obstacles in accessing services, client resiliency and tools for engagement.

Fun Fact: She recently became a Zumba Instructor.

Phone Number: (516)767-5621

Email: mchuchon@portnet.org

Daniela Venegas is in her fourth year as a Bilingual School Social Worker at Weber Middle School. Since her arrival at Weber, Ms. Venegas has made wonderful connections with many of the students and their families. Ms. Venegas was the advisor of the Gay-Straight Alliance and continues to be the advisor of the Global Thinkers after-school club. She also co-leads the school's Humanitarian Committee and is a co-advisor for the 8th grade WINS program. Ms. Venegas works hard to make sure all students feel supported and provides access and equity to all. She is proud to be the daughter of an immigrant family from South America. She was born in Santiago, Chile, and immigrated to the United States of America when she was 5 years old. Ms. Venegas began as an ENL student in a local Long Island school district. After graduation, she put herself through college, by working four jobs. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College, and went on to receive her Master's Degree in Social Work from Stony Brook University. Prior to coming to Port Washington, Ms. Venegas was a Children's Outreach Care Manager for the Association for Mental Health and Wellness in Ronkonkoma, NY. She also previously worked as the Program’s Coordinator at a non-profit named El Centro Cultural Hispano. When she’s not at Weber, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing fantasy football, going for walks, dancing, swimming, cooking and attending and watching any sporting event live or on TV when her 11 month old is not hogging it watching Ms. Rachel. Ms. Venegas is a die hard sports fan and loves to root on the Mets, Jets, Knicks, Islanders and Syracuse Basketball teams. Ms. Venegas has an open- door policy to her office. She has a ton of board games, kinetic sand, coloring books, stress and fidget toys and a basketball hoop for students to play with, relax and take some time when they need a break.

Fun Fact: She worked at a sound production company while in college and got to tour with many famous artists including Aventura during their K.O.B Live Tour.

Phone Number: (516)767-5619

Email: dvenegas@portnet.org

School Social Workers Work With Students, Families, and Educators to:

• Conduct bio-psychosocial assessments and social histories.
• Assess students for substance use, support systems, physical and emotional functioning, barriers to academic performance, peer issues, suicidal/homicidal ideation, and similar issues.
• Develop and implement treatment plans and discharge plans that support student self-determination.
• Provide direct therapeutic services, such as individual or group therapy, regarding specific issues.
• Provide crisis management services, including safety assessments.
• Advocate for student services and students’ best interests.
• Provide case management services, including, but not limited to, referrals to community resources and collaboration with other professionals.
• Provide training and workshops to teachers, school staff, and parents.
• Conduct home visits.
• Identify and resolve ethical issues.
• Implement school-based prevention programs.
• Perform community collaboration & outreach.

The World Health Organization provides a mental wellness definition: “A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.

What can FAMILY members do to promote mental wellness?

• Help children to recognize and celebrate their strengths.

• Provide a safe place where children can talk about things that are concerning them.

• Help children to problem solve and develop action plans to address difficult situations.

• Encourage children to be active in a variety of school and community activities.

• Make sure that children have some time to unwind and relax in between scheduled activities.

• Help children to understand the connection between physical and mental health.

• Emphasize the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.

• Help children learn the skills and empower them to make good decisions.

• Talk about balance and choice with children.

• Promote a healthy body image by positive role modeling (for example, not making negative comments about anyone’s weight and appearance).

It may be tempting to give your child more space while they are perfecting the fine art of eye rolling and refusing to be seen with you in public. We often see parents become less involved in their kids’ day-to-day lives during middle school. But in reality, your middle school student needs you as a parent. Middle school is one of the most unsettling transition periods for kids. You are in the best position to provide the direction, love and sacrifice needed to guide your child into the teenage years and adulthood. Check out the article below on how to support your child's transition!

Before Starting Your Search

Before you start to search it may be helpful to answer a few questions for yourself:

• What am I looking for in a therapist?
• Do I want someone with specific skills? (e.g. cognitive behavioral training, experience with trauma, etc.)
  
• What do I want help with? (e.g. sleep, anxiety, mood, adjustment to middle/high school, relationships, trauma, family relationships, learning difficulties, and so on....)
  
• Do I want the provider I choose to hold particular identities?
  
• Do I want to use my insurance?

Helpful Search Tools

Once you have a sense of what you are seeking, you can use this tool to help you find a therapist in your area: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists

• Go to Psychology Today webpage:
  
• Click on "Find a Therapist" or scroll down to the "Find a Therapist" search bar
  
• Enter your zip code (or neighborhood if you are in a larger place)
  
• Use the filter to choose your insurance (if you are using insurance)

Tips for Choosing a Therapist

• When deciding on a therapist you can filter by therapy type, gender, and many other categories. If you do not have specific requirements it can be a good idea to start with a wide search and refine if too many results come back.
  
• Read about therapists who interest you. We suggest to choose three or four that you are interested in exploring further.
  
• Call or email the therapist using the information listed on their profile.
  
• If you choose email, you will see a form to complete. You can write, "I'm looking for help with (whatever it is you are seeking a counselor for - e.g. mood, stress around school, relationships with friends, etc)." You may include days that work best for you or times that will not work. Include your insurance information as well. If you call, you will want to have similar information. Be sure to say when you might be available for a return call. Make sure your voicemail is functioning.
  
• You may need to follow up a second time, as many therapists are solo practitioners and handle all of their email and phone calls after their workday. Be persistent. If someone does not return your call or email after two tries, consider looking for another individual.
  
• If you use your insurance website, you will see ALL therapists who accept your insurance. However, these lists are updated infrequently and, depending on the insurance, less information may be available about individual providers.
  

Books are more than just a comfort. They can be a portal to different worlds, a bridge to a new past or future, an outpost for philosophies, and a support system for times of need. In a literal sense, research shows that reading has the power to change your brain and create different patterns within it. On a practical level, reading allows you to learn new information and skills you might’ve not known before.

Mental health and self help books can be a useful way to process your experiences, learn about psychology, and often find techniques and tools to help you in your daily life. They can aid your mental health toolkit by providing different techniques, scientific research, and stories of others who have faced the same hurdles.

Here, we’ve rounded up books that cover a few subjects that might interest you and your middle schooler.

Summary:

This book offers goal definition and time management to reasonable budgeting and children-parent relationships. While applying the scientifically proven method of visual learning, Life Skills 101 is a book for teens that teaches life skills for teens in a way that is accessible and easy to digest.

Summary:

Covering topics like bullying, peer pressure, grades, dealing with difficult parents, and love and romance, this rare book reaches kids at a deeper level during an age when they are often considered too young to appreciate it. Readers will learn to find their own voice, begin to explore their genuine identity, and definitely laugh out loud along the way.

Summary:

Our mind and our emotions determine our state of being in the present moment. If those aspects are left unchecked we can get easily overwhelmed and are left feeling unfulfilled every single day.

In the first part of the bundle called “Breaking Overthinking” you will discover:

● How overthinking can be detrimental to your social life.

● The hidden dangers of overthinking and what can happen to you if it’s left untreated.

● How to declutter your mind from all the noise of the modern world.

● How overthinking affects your body, your energy levels, and your everyday mood.

● How your surroundings affect your state of mind and what you NEED to do in order to break out of that state.

● Bad habits we perform every day and don’t even realize are destroying our sanity (and how to overcome them properly).

● How to cut out toxic people from your life which cloud your judgment and make you feel miserable.

The second part of the bundle called “Master Your Emotions” will teach you:

● What our emotions actually are and what core emotions are responsible for everything we feel.

● The importance of discovering your emotional map and how you can use it to improve your sate of being.

● When and if you should control your emotions or just be in the moment with them.

● The dangers we face if we leave our emotions unchecked.

September (Suicide Awareness and Self-Care Awareness Month)

• 4th - 10th: National Suicide Prevention Week
• 21st: International Day of Peace
• 28th: National Women’s Health and Fitness Day

October (Bullying Prevention Month)

• 2nd - 8th: Mental Illness Awareness Week
• 6th: National Depression Screening Day
• 7th: World Smile Day
• 10th: World’s Mental Health Day
• 11th: National Coming Out Day
• 19th: Unity Day
• 23rd: 31st Red Ribbon Week

November (National Career Development Month & National Homeless Youth Awareness Month)

• 12th-20th: National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
• 13th World Kindness Day
• 13th -19th: Transgender Awareness Week
• 17th: Children’s Grief Awareness Day
• 25th: Random Acts of Kindness Friday

Mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, color, gender or identity. Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of their background. However, your concerns or experiences and how you understand and cope with these conditions may be different.

Common mental health conditions among Latinx are generalized anxiety disorder, major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and excessive use of alcohol and drugs. Additionally, suicide is a concern for Latinx youth. An estimated 33% of Latinx adults with mental illness receive treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 43%. Without treatment, certain mental health conditions can worsen and become disabling.

Read the article below to learn more about the Hispanic/Latinx Community Barriers To Mental Health Care.

Hispanic/Latinx communities show similar vulnerability to mental illness as the general population, but they face disparities in both access to and quality of treatment. More than half of Hispanic young adults ages 18-25 with serious mental illness may not receive treatment. This inequality puts these communities at a higher risk for more severe and persistent forms of mental health conditions, because without treatment, mental health conditions often worsen. 35.1% of Hispanic/Latinx adults with mental illness receive treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 46.2%. This is due to many unique barriers to care.

Language Barriers

Language barriers can make communicating with providers difficult, or even impossible, particularly when a person is seeking counseling for sensitive or uniquely personal issues. These topics can be difficult for anyone to put into words, but it is especially difficult for those who may not speak the same language as a potential provider. Although Spanish is the official language in most of Latin America, some Latino/Latinas may speak other languages or dialects, such as Quechua, Nahuatl or Portuguese. Additionally, Latinx families may be bilingual or mixed-language families; therefore it is helpful for providers to ask what the patient and families’ preferred language is before starting an evaluation and to use interpreters when necessary.

Poverty and Less Health Insurance Coverage

17.0% of Hispanic/Latinx people in the U.S. live in poverty (compared to 8.2% of non-Hispanic whites). Individuals who live in poverty have a higher risk of mental illness and, conversely, individuals with mental illness have a higher risk of living in poverty. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2019, 20.0% of nonelderly Hispanic people had no form of health insurance. In addition to facing an already limited pool of providers due to language barriers, people identifying as Hispanic/Latinx have even fewer options when they are uninsured.

Lack of Cultural Competence

Due to cultural differences and/or lack of cultural competency, mental health providers may misunderstand or misdiagnose Hispanic/Latinx patients. For example, an individual may describe feeling “nervous”, fatigue, headaches or other physical ailments. While these symptoms are consistent with depression, a provider without training on how culture influences a person’s interpretation of their symptoms is highly likely to misdiagnose them.

Legal Status

For immigrants who arrive without documentation, the fear of deportation can prevent them from seeking help. Even though millions of children of undocumented immigrants are eligible for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, many families either may not know about their eligibility or be afraid to register due to fear of separation and deportation.

Acculturation

The level of a person’s acculturation, how thoroughly they have embraced or adopted the predominant culture of the place they live, can play a role in mental health and access to care. Acculturation has been found to predict an increased willingness to use of mental health care services between first- and second-generation immigrants from various cultural backgrounds. Hispanic/Latinx communities have an added risk of experiencing mental health issues because of the stress of facing discrimination while also trying to navigate between different cultures.

Stigma

People in the Hispanic/Latinx community can be very private and may not want to publicly talk about challenges at home or in their lives. This can continue the cycle of stigma about mental health within the community, as talking about it can be viewed as taboo. Many in the Latinx community are familiar with the phrase “la ropa sucia se lava en casa” (similar to “don’t air your dirty laundry in public”). Some people do not seek treatment for mental illness out of fear of being labeled as “locos” (crazy) or bringing shame and unwanted attention to their families. Additionally, faith communities may be a source of distress if they are not well informed and do not know how to support families dealing with mental health conditions. Stigma within the Hispanic/Latinx community can also lead to a lack of information as individuals may not recognize the symptoms of mental health conditions or know where to seek help. In turn, this may cause individuals to not seek treatment.

When mental health is not commonly or openly talked about, people seeking treatment may have limited knowledge and comfort with the different types of therapy and psychiatric medications available. Providers should use a compassionate and collaborative approach to engage individuals in treatment planning. Incorporating education, symptom monitoring and engagement with community resources can be important ways to support a person’s decision to start therapy or psychiatric medication.

Port Washington, NY: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration with its first-ever town-wide event on October 9, 2022, from 2:00-5:00 pm at Blumenthal Family Park This family event comes to you courtesy of the Parent Resource Center in partnership with Landmark on Main Street and the Port Washington Public Library. Classic salsa, merengue and cumbia songs will be played by La Orchestra Los 9 del Sabor, a Latin American band with a repertoire that includes hits by Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz and Sonora Dinamita. The first intermission will feature Port Washington’s dance and language instructor, Ms. Yolotzin Terrazas’s students ages 4-10, performing the Encanto hit, “No Se Habla de Bruno.” The second intermission will feature a dance number by Port Washington dance studio, RuDance. Food vendors, including Smusht and Abuelas Deserts will serve up some sweet and savory Latin American inspired dishes. The Port Washington Public Library, PRC and the Science Museum of Long Island, among other local civic and not-for-profit organizations, will provide crafts and activities for the children that will celebrate some of the unique cultures that make up Latin America. Some activities include face-painting, making Dia de Los Muertos masks, plus animals native to South and Central America.

COPAY, Inc. (Community Organization for Parents and Youth, Inc.)
21 North Station Plaza
Great Neck, NY 11020

Hispanic Counseling Center

344 Fulton Ave.

Hempstead, NY 11550

North Shore Child and Family Guidance

480 Old Westbury Rd

Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

https://www.hofstra.edu/saltzman-center/counseling-mental-health-clinic.html

Weekly Workshops at the Saltzman Center

Call 516-463-5234 or send an email to: Teresa.Grella-Hillebrand@hofstra.edu

Workshops Held at the:

Saltzman Center

Counseling and Mental Health Professions Clinic

131 Hofstra University

Hempstead, NY 11549-1310

Effective Parenting and Discipline (in Spanish)

Monday 6:30-8pm

This weekly psycho-educational group for parents focuses on developing positive parenting strategies and effective discipline skills.

Teen Talk

Monday 7-8:30pm

A weekly psycho-educational support group for teens facing a variety of development issues.

Children of Divorce

Tuesday 7-8:30pm

A weekly psycho-educational support group to help children of divorce understand and cope with divorce or separation.

Adult Divorce Support

Tuesday 7-8:30pm

A weekly psycho-educational support group for adults that addresses the emotional impact of the separation and divorce process.

Care for Caregivers

Tuesday 7-8:30pm or Wednesday 7-8:30pm

A weekly psycho-educational support group for individuals who are caregivers for a loved one.

Effective Parenting and Discipline (in English)

Thursday 6-7:30pm

This weekly psycho-educational group for parents focuses on developing positive parenting strategies and effective discipline skills.

Children’s Socialization

Saturday 1-2:15pm

This weekly psycho-educational group focuses on building self-esteem and confidence and increasing attention skills in children.

https://chadd.org/events-calendar/

Upcoming Events

Gather together with other parents to share, learn and grow as parents of LGBTQ youth. We can support one another in understanding sexual orientation, gender identity and the challenges and successes of parenting!

Virtual meetings held on Mondays from 7-8pm on the following dates:

Sep 26, 2022 07:00 PM

Oct 10, 2022 07:00 PM

Oct 24, 2022 07:00 PM

Nov 7, 2022 07:00 PM

Nov 21, 2022 07:00 PM

Dec 5, 2022 07:00 PM

Dec 19, 2022 07:00 PM

Register with the following link:

Support Groups: 2022-2023

• ​September 9, 2022

• October 7, 2022

• November 4, 2022

• December 2, 2022- Holiday Party

• January 6, 2023

• February 3, 2023

• *March 3, 2023

• *March 31, 2023

• May 5, 2023

• June 2, 2023 - last support group of the school year

• June 10, 2023 - SAVE THE DATE! - FFD

The Weber STARs program is designed to reward students or staff members for being outstanding citizens at Weber Middle School. A Weber STAR displays one or more of the following qualities: respect, responsibility, good character, commitment to community, academic improvement, effort, exemplary behavior, and/or sportsmanship. Weber STARs are nominated by Weber staff and students once a quarter.

After staff consideration, all nominees are presented with a Weber STAR certificate along with an invitation to attend a celebratory Weber STARs breakfast, hosted by Mrs. Javeline. A congratulatory letter is also mailed to the Weber STAR student's family, and all STAR names are displayed prominently outside of the Counseling Office for the duration of the school year.

Email the name and reason for your nomination to eshirian@portnet.org or smullins@portnet.org by October 28th. Last year more than 400 students and staff received a Weber STAR!

Career Paths:

• Lodging - management and maintenance of hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts

Examples: Bellhops, concierges, managers, janitors

• Recreations, amusements, and attractions - employed by places of entertainment or amusement

Examples: Cruise directors, recreation center directors, ski resort workers

• Restaurant and food/beverage services - working for clients or planning menus

Examples: Caterers, cooks, chefs, waiters/waitresses

• Travel and tourism - promote tourism, plan vacations, promote events

Examples: Travel agents, event planners, tour guides

The range of opportunities in this industry is extensive. It offers many opportunities for high school students, college students and beyond! It’s truly a career without limits, and may even provide opportunities to see the world!

Job Outlook:

Long-term, the opportunity for growth in this industry is good. The industry is tied to how much people can spend on luxuries, but faster than average growth is predicted.

Personality:

People that are best suited for this industry are those that enjoy spending time with and helping others! Commitment, great people skills, exceptional attention to detail, and leadership/teamwork skills are all great characteristics to have, if entering this field.

Education:

Depending on the specific path, education will vary. If it is a large facility or hotel, a bachelor’s degree may be required. Some states do require a license to become a travel agent, or courses to be taken. At times in the food industry, experience is favored over degrees.

Being involved in your child’s education is important. At Weber we value the connection between families and the school. If concerns arise, feel free to reach out to your child’s teachers directly by email. If you feel your concerns require an in person meeting, contact your child’s Counselor. If you need someone that speaks Spanish, please reach out to your child's Social Worker.

Blue (B) House: Mrs. Shirian

Green (G) House: Mrs. Mullins

Red (R) House: Mrs. Weiner

Yellow (Y) House: Ms. VonSalzen

R/G Social Worker: Ms. Venegas

Y/B Social Worker: Ms. Chuchon

• Zucker Hillside Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – 718-470-3500
• RVC Behavioral Health Center –516-927-1630
• Mineola Behavioral Health Center -516-321-5770
• South Oaks Hospital Admissions –631-608-5885
• Cohen Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Behavioral Health Urgent Care – 718-470-3148
• Cohen Children’s Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department – 718-470-3768
• Long Island Crisis Center – 516-679-1111
• Center for Hope - 516-216-5194
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- 800-273-8255
• Port Counseling 516-767-1133