STA TALKS

The STA Talks is a series of speakers and topics designed to foster conversation, and inspire parents and students. Students will receive 1-hour of service hours for each webinar they attend.

 

All webinars will take place from 7:00 – 7:30 pm followed by a Q&A. No need to register in advance. The webinar link will be emailed to all parents the day before each event. If you have any questions or want to recommend a speaker throughout the year, please contact Kathy Barcenas at sta.pa@aquinas.org.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

During this TALK, parents and kids will learn about: reasons youth vape, vaping stats, the evolution of devices and the impact on youth uptake, signs of vaping activity, industry tactics, risks and protective factors, vaping laws, how to have a conversation with your youth about vaping, and supports for youth who vape/use tobacco.

Lauren Wilkinson  has been working with the Tobacco and Vapour Reduction Team at VCH since March 2022. She is a certified BC Teacher (Secondary Science) with a Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology and is a two-time Olympian and Silver medalist for Canada in the sport of Rowing.

Lindsay MacDonald has worked as a Tobacco and Vapour Product Reduction Coordinator since 2011 in the areas of Prevention, Protection, and Cessation. She is a Certified Tobacco Cessation Educator. Lindsay has a Bachelor’s of Kinesiology and a Master’s of Human Kinetics.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Melinda Giampietro, founder of Options Solutions Educational Consultants, hosts an open discussion about the state of post-secondary admission and the factors influencing the 2022 cycle. This webinar will focus on what we DO know and what we CAN do to help students prepare and strategize for the next few years. We will explore academic and extra-curricular requirements and how students can differentiate themselves in an authentic way. With her usual optimism and warmth, Melinda will share post-secondary data since COVID and offer practical strategies for families to find their way. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STA Talks: Navigating Life Together - Monday, January 31, 2022

The First STA Talks of 2022 on Monday, January 31st at 7:00 pm - Navigating Life Together. High school is an exciting time for you and your child. It's filled with many milestones that come with your child's final phase towards adulthood, independence, and a career. It's also a period when the challenges will test the family. "Navigating Life Together" is a talk that proposes strategies to meet these challenges in a way that doesn't just withstand and overcome them, but will also bring the family closer.

Glen and Sharon moved from Singapore to the North Shore with their young children. All of them attended St Anthony's School and then graduated from STA. Sharon is with the Office of Marriage and Family at the Archdiocese of Vancouver in the areas of Marriage Formation for couples about to be married, Enrichment of Marriages, and Outreach to the divorced and separated. Glen accompanies adults on their faith journey to become Catholic.  As a couple, they are part of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Movement and Marriage Ministry in their parish of Christ the Redeemer.                                                                           If you were unable to attend the discussion, please find attached a reference sheet for resources on the topic.                                                     

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Role of Executive Function  – October 18 2021 at 7:00 pm                                                                                                                                                    We are pleased to invite you to our first STA Talks of the year entitled, The Role of Executive Function Skills in a student’s social, emotional and academic learning. Executive function is the ability to plan and anticipate different upcoming life and academic events. It is as important to students as it is to adults. This topic will appeal to any parent who wants to support their child with academic-based skills, as well as managing a well-rounded life.

Parents will learn:

• The definition of EF skills
• A description of EF skills
• Examples of how executive function (or dysfunction) skills impact students’ learning throughout the day
• Supports for weak executive function skills (school/home)
• List of resources

                                                                        

Constable David Steverding, Vancouver Police Department

     

Join Melinda for an open discussion about the state of post-secondary admission and the factors influencing the 2021 cycle. This webinar will focus on what we DO know and what we CAN do to help students prepare and strategize for the next few years. We will explore academic and extra-curricular requirements and how students can differentiate themselves in an authentic way.  With her usual optimism and warmth, Melinda will also share practical tips for handling new school structures and ways to creatively return to extra-curricular activities.