Arlington Public Schools (APS) PTAs, through their family network committees, have a long history of presenting speakers on issues of importance to parents. (Have speaker ideas? Volunteer at your school’s PTA!) The PTAs work with the ArlingtonPartnership for Children, Youth and Families and the APS Department of Student Services to bring the best speakers to Arlington.  We add sessions all year long.  To add your high school, middle school, or elementary school family network events to this calendar send them to dlmarsh3@juno.com .

Many of the sessions touch on keeping our children’s brains safe. Dr. Alvin L. Crawley, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, brought APS into the Community of Concern coalition that seeks to educate on the effects of alcohol/drugs on the adolescent’s developing brain.  (Research shows that the brain is developing into the early 20′s.  Please see www.thecommunityofconcern.org for more information on adolescent brain development.)