At Riverbend, we believe that education is a collaborative effort that extends beyond classroom walls, and we know the critical role parents play in their child’s academic journey and overall development. To foster a stronger partnership between our school, our parents, and the greater Natick community, we are excited to present our Community Learning Series designed to provide valuable insights, resources, and strategies to support your child’s personal growth.
These hour-long workshops are FREE to Riverbend families and the greater MetroWest community. For our in-person events, we’re delighted to offer free childcare with pizza dinner exclusively for Riverbend families.
Community Learning Series Schedule
Supporting Your Child’s Social & Emotional Development with Kristin Black
Date: January 23, 2025 | 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Description: In this session we will walk through strategies that will support and promote children’s social and emotional growth and well being. We will discuss what it means to be socially and emotionally healthy and how that impacts your child at home and school.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of children ages toddler — teen
Important details: In-person, free care and pizza dinner for Riverbend children
Montessori MasterClass: Montessori 101 with Danielle Leary-Jakes
Date: January 30, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. VIRTUAL
Description: In this session we will start with the basics and history of Montessori and what it means for your child.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of Toddler and Primary students
Montessori Math Through the Years with Lower & Upper Elementary Faculty
Date: February 5, 2025 | 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Description: In this session you will learn the different ways students learn math the Montessori way throughout grades 1-8.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of children of all ages
Important details: In-person, free care and pizza dinner for Riverbend children
Montessori MasterClass: The Home Environment with Danielle Leary-Jakes
Date: February 27, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. VIRTUAL
Description: In this session, parents will learn how to integrate Montessori principles and philosophy into their home. We will discuss ways in which parents can prepare their home environment to encourage order, independence, and self-motivation.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of Toddler and Primary students
Raising Kind and Resilient Children with SPARK’s Christine Guthery
Date: March 4, 2025 | 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Description: Learn techniques for coaching ourselves and our children in how to respond to life’s challenges in an empowering way. Learn how to connect to prevent and address issues such as bullying, substance use, anxiety, friendship challenges, and more.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of K—Teen students
Important details: In-person, free care and pizza dinner for Riverbend children
Date: March 10, 2025 | 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Description: TBD
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of Elementary and Middle School-aged students AND Elementary and Middle School-aged students
Important details: In-person, free care and pizza dinner for Riverbend children
Montessori MasterClass: The Prepared Environment with Danielle Leary-Jakes
Date: March 27, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. VIRTUAL
Description: In this parent education session, we discuss the prepared environment of a Montessori classroom, the importance of order within the Montessori classroom, explore the areas of the classroom, discuss the role of the teacher, and how the Montessori environment facilitates concentration.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of Toddler and Primary students
What Children Are Trying to Tell Us with Kristin Black
Date: April 3, 2025 | 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Description: In this session we will learn about how we interpret our child’s behavior. Their behavior may not always be the message they are trying to send us. We will share strategies on how we can handle their big emotions and how we can support what they really want to say.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of Toddler, Primary, and Kindergarten students
Important details: In-person, free care and pizza dinner for Riverbend children
Montessori MasterClass: Freedom Within Limits with Danielle Leary-Jakes
Date: April 17, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. VIRTUAL
Description: In this parent education session we discuss types of freedom in the Montessori environment, the limits of a Montessori classroom, and how children benefit from freedom within limits.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of Toddler and Primary students
A Change in Climate — Fast Forward to Mid-Century with Dave Epstein
Date: May 6, 2025 | 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Description: Join Dave Epstein, local weather expert and horticulture legend, as we discuss what we might see in the mid-century, why and how it may affect us.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of children of all ages
Important details: In-person, free care and pizza dinner for Riverbend children
Past Events
About Emotions: Learn About Riverbend’s School Counseling Program with Merel Brandt Corstius
Date: October 8, 2024 | 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Description: Hear from Riverbend’s School Counselor, Merel Brandt Corstius, about your child’s emotions and how she will work through them at Riverbend.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of children of all ages
Important details: In-person, free care and pizza dinner for Riverbend children
Raising Confident, Capable Kids with Deborah Farmer Kris
Date: November 6, 2024 | 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Description: In this interactive session, we’ll talk about how to help kids from toddlers to tweens build their self-confidence and increase their capacity to handle everyday challenges.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of children ages toddler — tween
Important details: In-person, free care and pizza dinner for Riverbend children
Meeting Your Child’s Developmental Needs with Kristin Black
Date: November 14, 2024 | 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Description: During this session you will hear about ways you can scaffold skills for a child, but be mindful of not keeping them in a stage of development that they have outgrown.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of children of all ages
Important details: In-person, free care and pizza dinner for Riverbend children
Real World Ready Kids: What Every Parent Needs to Know with Katey McPherson
Date: December 10, 2024 | 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Description: This session explores the brain science behind motivation and explains why shifting from managing children’s lives to consulting with them—allowing them to make their own choices with guidance—is the most effective way to help them thrive.
Appropriate for: Parents/caregivers of children ages K-12th grade
Important details: In-person, free care and pizza dinner for Riverbend children
