events
Dashka Slater
Presented by: Dashka Slater, Author of Accountable
Date: Wednesday, November 12
Time: 7 - 8 pm
Location: Wilton High School's Little Theater
Join us for a presentation by Dashka Slater, author of Accountable (the summer reading book for WPS 9th and 10th grader students and and assembly all WHS students will do preparation for ahead of her coming). Slater will present to WHS students during the day, followed by this parent presentation in the evening.
Slater is the author of many books for children and adults, including the beloved Escargot picture book series, the Feylawn Chronicles middle grade fantasy series, and two gripping nonfiction narratives, The 57 Bus and Accountable. Her books have received numerous accolades, including the YALSA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Gold Medal, the Stonewall Book Award, the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize, the California Book Award, and a Boston Globe-
Horn Book Honor.
This event is brought to you by a partnership between the Wilton Public Schools, WHS PTSA and Wilton Youth Council.
Executive Function Skills Your Teens Need Before Graduating from High School (And What Parents Can Do to Help Facilitate)
Presented by: Mary Murphy, PhD
Date: Monday, December 8, 2025
Time: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: Wilton Library Association, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton
Intended audience: Parents/Caregivers of children 8th-12th grade
As parents, we all want our teens to leave high school feeling confident and ready for what comes next. One of the biggest predictors of success in college and beyond isn’t just grades – it’s executive function (EF) skills. These “mental management” skills help students stay organized, manage time, follow through on tasks, regulate emotions, and adapt when plans change.
Having trouble with EF skills is extremely common in adolescents, both for typical learners and for those who think and learn differently. A teen can struggle with EF skills even without a formal diagnosis of a learning disability or ADHD. In addition, everyone with ADHD has EF difficulties and most students with other learning challenges also struggle in these areas.
Research shows that college students with EF challenges experience substantial academic and social-emotional difficulties throughout their college years. The good news is that teens who have a strong foundation in executive functioning are better prepared to handle the independence and demands of college life. These are highly teachable skills and there is a lot that parents can do (and learn not to do) to help strengthen these skills.
In this presentation, Mary Murphy, PhD, will share which executive function skills are most important for your teen to develop before graduation and practical ways you can support them in building strategies that will set them up for success. From the perspective of a clinical psychologist and college professor, Dr. Murphy will share real world examples of the EF skills students need to be successful in both college and future careers.
More About Mary Murphy
Presented by SPED*NET in partnership with Wilton Library Association, Wilton Public Schools, Wilton Youth Council and Newtown Sped PTA
The Athlete Mindset: Supporting the Wellness of Student Athletes
Presented by: Ayotunde Ayobello, MD in Conversation with Dr. Kevin Smith, Superintendent of Wilton Public Schools
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 6:30 - 8 pm
Location: Wilton Library Association, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton
Intended audience: Parents/Caregivers of children 5th-12th grade
Student athletes today are growing up in an increasingly high-pressure sports culture, where the drive to excel can sometimes outpace their physical and emotional readiness. This workshop explores the unique mental and emotional challenges young athletes face and offers practical, evidence-based strategies to foster resilience, balance, and confidence—both on and off the field. Join Yale Child Study Center psychiatrist and former professional European basketball player, Dr. Ayotunde Ayobello to:
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Understand the pressures, stressors, and emotional experiences of student-athletes
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Learn to identify when stress, anxiety, or perfectionism may be negatively impacting student-athletes
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Discover practical ways to help student-athletes develop coping skills, confidence, and a growth mindset
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Learn how to encourage student-athletes to explore interests beyond sports and develop a well-rounded sense of self
Dr. Ayobello is an Assistant Professor of Child Psychiatry and provides outpatient psychiatric care at the Yale Child Study Center in Westport, Connecticut. A former elite athlete, playing as a power forward and center for the Crimea State Basketball Team from 2008 to 2014, Dr. Ayobello brings first hand understanding of the psychological demands of competitive sports. His experience informs his work in fostering resilience and integrating mental health strategies into athletic performance.
Presented by Wilton Youth Council in partnership with Wilton Library, Wilton Public Schools & SPED*NET.
Navigating the Challenges of Parenting in a World of Disconnection
Presented by: Jackie Britt-Friedman, PsyD
Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2026
Time: 6:30 - 8 pm
Location: Wilton Library Association, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton
Intended Audience: Parents/Caregivers of children 6-16
Parents and children alike are feeling more disconnected than ever despite the ability to connect 24/7. How do we put an oxygen mask on ourselves and also give our children what they need to feel supported and thrive in the current circumstances? This workshop aims to address challenges that we all face regarding greater technology use and changes in social support structures and offers a variety of ways to enhance a sense of connectedness for ourselves and our children. Join psychologist Dr. Jackie Britt-Friedman, an assistant professor at the Yale Child Study Center, to:
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Explore the challenges of parenting in current times with increased technology use and decrease in social supports
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Identify ways to promote healthy technology use in the context of children’s developmental needs
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Learn strategies to improve connectedness and a sense of belonging
Dr. Jackie Britt-Friedman, PsyD is an Assistant Professor with Yale’s Child Study Center and a clinical child psychologist with extensive experience both in schools and in clinical settings. She has supported children with a vast array of challenges including executive functioning weaknesses, learning disabilities, anxiety, mood difficulties, social skill deficits, and other stressors. She focuses on helping children and adolescents further develop skills to successfully navigate challenges and on promoting resilience.
Presented by Wilton Youth Council in partnership with Wilton Library & SPED*NET.
Making the Most of Play in Everyday Routines
Presented by: Meghan Perazella, MEd, BCBA
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: New Canaan Library, 151 Main Street, New Canaan
Intended audience: For parents/caregivers children in preschool and elementary school
Play is one of the most powerful ways children learn and grow, and it’s important for parents and caregivers to understand how to join in and support their children’s play at home.
In this encouraging, hands-on training,
Meghan Perazella, MEd, BCBA, will explore the new Let’s Play materials released by the CT Office of Early Childhood and will provide practical strategies to make playtime more meaningful for all children (neurotypical and neurodivergent).
Together we will cover:
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Why play matters for all children: the many ways play supports learning, development, and connection.
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The role of adults in play: how joining in can strengthen your relationship, spark learning, and build confidence.
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Simple strategies for getting involved: ways to follow your child’s lead, encourage creativity, and extend play without taking over.
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Different types of play, and how each type helps children learn different skills.
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Supporting diverse play styles: understanding and celebrating the unique ways neurodivergent children engage in play, and how to adapt strategies to meet their needs.
More About Meghan Perazella
Presented by SPED*NET in partnership with New Canaan Library, Wilton Public Schools, Wilton Youth Council and Newtown Sped PTA
The College Process: Supporting Your Teen
& Finding the Right Fit
Presented by: Susan Bauerfeld, PhD and Deena Maerowitz, JD, MSW
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Location: Wilton Library Association, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton
Intended Audience: Parents/Caregivers of children 9th-11th grade
Registration coming soon
The college process can feel like a frenzy, but there are ways to manage it that foster resilience and relationships rather than discord and despair.
Join us to learn tips, strategies and suggestions for reducing stress, staying connected to your child and managing the process with greater ease and comfort. You will feel better and your teen will thank you.
About the Presenters: Susan Bauerfeld, PhD, is an experienced Clinical Psychologist who has been providing education and support to parents raising children in the Fairfield County area for over 13 years. In her private practice (from which she retired in 2024) she worked with adults and teens struggling with anxiety, trauma, learning challenges, and health issues (including TBI, chronic pain and chronic illness). Deena Maerowitz, JD and MSW, provides college and graduate school advising for The Bertram Group.
This program is brought to you Wilton Youth Council in partnership with the Wilton Library and Wilton High School PTSA.