Each year, the Mason-Rice PTO sponsors special guest speaker(s).  The speakers are typically reknown subject-experts in a variety of social, curriculum and educational topics.  Special speaker events will be announced on this website and our Mason-Rice Notes newsletters.    You will find some of our past speakers listed below. 

2011 Speakers

"Simplicity Parenting" Lecture on Monday, February 6, 2012 from 7 - 9pm
Use the extraordinary power of less to raise calmer, happier and more secure kids. This is a free event hosted by Angier, Mason-Rice and Zervas Elementary School PTO's.  Event will be hosted at Mason-Rice Elementary School Auditorium.

At this presentation by educator and consultant Kim John Payne, you will learn ways to simplify your child's toys & books, clothes, meals & bedtimes, and schedules, as well as how to filter out the adult world and feel more connected to your children and family life.  Parents who implement Simplicity Parenting strategies find that their children:

• Are calmer and happier
• Do better socially and emotionally
• Are more focused at school
• Find it easier to comply with family rules
• Become less picky eaters

Parents also find that they have more time and energy for connection, relaxation, and fun.

Presenter: Kim John Payne will present an antidote for children who are over-scheduled and overwhelmed by too much information and a fast-paced consumer culture that threatens the pace and playful essence of childhood. Payne claims that a protective filter should surround childhood, rather than the competitive, stressful adult world that has encroached on childhood's boundaries, preventing kids from developing resiliency with a sense of ease and well-being. He presents a wealth of practical ideas for reclaiming childhood and establishing family harmony. Though simplicity parenting may seem a stretch for some, others will find that Payne's program for restoring creative play, order and balance is long overdue.  To see a short preview clip of Kim's presentation and learn more about him, visit http://www.simplicityparenting.com/

Kim John Payne, M.Ed is a consultant and trainer to over 110 North American independent and public schools. He has been a school counselor, adult educator, consultant, researcher and educator for nearly 30 years, and a private family counselor for more than 15 years.

"Understanding Temperament: Your School-Age Child’s - and Your Own" on March 27, 2012 from  7:00-8:30pm. 

The guest speaker event is sponsored by Mason-Rice PTO and Newton Partnership Organization.  This is a free event and will be hosted at Mason-Rice Elementary School Auditorium.

Which best describes your child? An adventurous Monkey or a creative Dolphin? An industrious Beaver or a curious Owl?  And what does each need to thrive and grow? Practical real-world experiences or creativity and imagination?  Clear expectations and structured routines or novelty and excitement?  Join us to reflect on your own personality style and unique parenting strengths. You’ll explore four major temperamental styles in children and how the qualities of introversion and extroversion interact with temperament. For example, will your child do best surrounded by interaction and activity - or calm and quiet?

Presenter: Deborah Weinstock-Savoy, Ph.D.
Deborah Weinstock-Savoy is a licensed psychologist with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and over 25 years of professional experience working with families and educators. She delivers workshops on a wide variety of topics related to child development and education in both community and school settings.  She facilitates support groups for parents and provides consultation services to individuals and programs. Deborah is the mother of three adult children.

2010 Speakers

PTO Special Screening of Documentary Film Race to Nowhere:

This film highlights the pressures faced by students, parents and teachers in our high-stakes, high pressure, educational systems and culture.  The film examines the  impact of homework, standardized testing, the explosion of AP courses, extra-curriculum expectatoins, over-scheduling, competiition, rankings and the emotional/academic toll exacted by our children.   A facilitated panel discussion, featuring Joel Stembridge, John Jordan and Mark Springer, principals of Newton South High School, Brown Middle School and Mason-Rice elemenatary school, respecitvely, is planned.

Bullying Behaviors and the New Anti-Bullying Legislation - Featuring Dr. Michael Thompson and Maura Healy:

Dr. Michael Thompson:  Dr. Thompson, a PhD psychologist, consultant, and author of Raising Cain, Best
Friends/Worst Enemies, and Mom, They’re Teasing Me is also the clinical consultant to The Belmont Hill School and has worked in more than 500 schools throughout the United States.

Maura Healy: Chief of the Civil Rights Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. In this role, she oversees the investigation and prosecution of civil rights cases in areas such as hate crimes, housing, education, public accommodation, disability and health care.

Green Parenting for Healthy Kids - Featuring Rachel White:

Rachel White: Rachel White, Ph.D., is a green home and lifestyle consultant. As Principal of Greener Every Day LLC, Rachel helps individuals make lifestyle choices that are good for them, their families and the earth. Rachel speaks and teaches on a variety of green living topics including sustainable consumption, environmental health, home energy and water conservation, and green home renovation. She lives in Newton with her husband and two kids. You can learn more by visiting Rachel White's Website.

2009 Speakers

2008 Speakers

Michael Thompson's Books: Best Friends, Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children
by Michael Thompson, Cathe O'Neill-Grace, Lawrence J. Cohen, and Catherine O'Neill Grace

Best Friends, Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children
by Michael Thompson, Cathe O'Neill-Grace, Lawrence J. Cohen, and Catherine O'Neill Grace amazon link

Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Lives of Boys
by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson amazon link

Catherine Steiner-Adair's Book and Recommendations:

Full of Ourselves: A Wellness Program to Advance Girl Power, Health and Leadership
by Catherine Steiner-Adair and Lisa Sjostrom
amazon link