Summit Wellness Symposium – April 10
Summit Public Schools is proud to announce the inaugural Summit Wellness Symposium, a groundbreaking event aimed at fostering community engagement and awareness around the critical issue of mental health and wellness for K-12 students. The symposium is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at Summit High School.
The primary objective of the Summit Wellness Symposium is to emphasize the collective responsibility of the entire community in ensuring the well-being of its youth. With the theme “Community Health is Everyone’s Responsibility,” the event seeks to bring together parents, guardians, educators, and local stakeholders to address the multifaceted aspects of mental health in young individuals.
Aligned with the District’s goal to support mental health, wellness, and social-emotional learning, the symposium will feature a distinguished keynote speaker who will offer insights and perspectives on the importance of nurturing mental health in school-aged children. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of breakout sessions tailored to equip parents and guardians with practical skills and strategies to support their children’s mental health and wellness journey effectively. Each presenter will target their topic towards elementary parents in one breakout session and middle and high school parents in the other.
In addition, the symposium will serve as a platform for local non-profit organizations and other community agencies to showcase resources and provide valuable information related to mental health and wellness. Tables set up outside of the auditorium will offer attendees the chance to connect with these organizations and access additional support networks. The Summit Wellness Symposium will also feature a raffle and door prizes, courtesy of donations from local Summit businesses and organizations.
“We believe that fostering a culture of wellness starts with collective action and community involvement,” said Doreen Babis, Director of Special Services of Summit Public Schools. “The Summit Wellness Symposium is an embodiment of our commitment to empowering parents, guardians, and the wider community with the knowledge and tools needed to support the mental health and well-being of our students.”
To enhance accessibility and participation, dinner will be provided, and babysitting services will be available during the event. Registration for the Summit Wellness Symposium is requested, however, if attendees plan to attend the dinner portion of the event and/or utilize the babysitting services, registration is required.
In addition to Summit Public Schools, the Summit Wellness Symposium is sponsored by Shaping Summit Together, Summit Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO), Pomptonian Food Services, and KAW Foundation. To register for the Summit Wellness Symposium and learn more about vendors, the keynote speaker, and the breakout sessions, please visitsummit.k12.nj.us/resources/wellness-symposium.
