OnPoint Parenting

Ever said, “I'm just not a math person”? You're not alone. But what if we told you that mindset matters more than natural ability? In this episode of Beyond the Bell, Chantelle sits down with Assistant Superintendent & Math Lead Siobhain Millen to tackle one of the biggest myths about math. Discover how a growth mindset can reshape the way we (and our kids!) approach math, why struggle is an essential part of learning, and how parents can support their children without needing to be math experts.

In the most recent Community Connect episode, we explore the Spark'd Program at CFS Counseling + Well-Being, with Noor Sidiqui, Newcomer Outreach Coordinator. Spark'd provides free support for newcomers in Simcoe County, offering group programs, conversation circles, social events, and one-on-one guidance to help individuals build connections and improve their English. Tune in to hear how Spark'd is making a difference helping newcomers navigate life in Canada and find their rhythm in their new community.

How do schools respond to potential threats? This episode breaks down the multistep process used to assess risk, provide support, and ensure student safety. Hear from Lisa Hickling-Miller, School Counselor and Threat Assessment & Prevention Trainer at Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, about the importance of early intervention and collaboration.

As part of Beyond the Bell's special Community Connect series, today's episode highlights PFLAG and The Gilbert Centre with special guests, Ellis Greenberg and Daniela C. Advocates for queer and trans communities in the Simcoe Muskoka area, they share personal stories and insights on the importance of community support for queer and trans youth. They also discuss how families can create safer, more inclusive spaces and provide valuable resources for parents and caregivers. This episode offers a thoughtful exploration of the challenges and triumphs in advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell, we speak with Tarra Madigan, a member of the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board's Catholic Parent Involvement Committee (CPIC), about the many ways parents can get involved in their children's school community. From attending events to simple gestures of support, Tarra shares how parents can make a difference—whether or not they're on the council. Tune in for practical tips on fostering a stronger school community!

In the first episode of our Beyond the Bell mini-series, Community Connect, Chantelle sits down with Natasha Shakespeare, founder of Parents Against Racism Simcoe County (PARSC). They discuss mental health challenges faced by Black youth, the value of culturally affirming care, and the innovative Harambe Programme, which provides mental health and tutoring support. Gain practical insights on building community, fostering resilience, and accessing support for families.

Chantelle welcomes Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board elementary guidance teachers, Nicole Nicoletta, and Sara Vause. Listen as they delve into the challenges and strategies for successfully transitioning students from elementary to secondary school. This episode covers the importance of self-advocacy, effective communication, and the resources available to support students and parents during this significant milestone. Tune in for valuable insights and practical advice to ensure a smooth and confident transition to high school.

In this episode of “Beyond The Bell”, we welcome Shania, a grade 12 student at Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. Our conversation looks at the critical role of student voice in shaping educational policies and school environments. This episode is a must-listen for parents, students, and educators eager to understand and amplify the impact of student voices in creating dynamic and inclusive school communities.

Discover how small changes in transportation habits can create healthier and more sustainable lifestyles by tuning in to the insightful conversation between Chantelle and Sherry Diaz, a public health nurse, on "Beyond The Bell." Learn about the benefits of active transportation for physical health, mental well-being, and community safety, and be inspired to make a positive difference in your daily routines.

Ontario has updated its language curriculum. In our latest episode, Chantelle and guest, Elementary Program Coordinator, Jonathan Rajalingam unpack the changes and how they impact report cards. They also offer insight into how parents and caregivers can foster literacy skills at home. Don't miss this important conversation!

In our latest Beyond the Bell episode, Chantelle is joined by Murray Watson, Adult Faith Formation Animator at the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, to explore how Catholic education goes beyond academics to shape empowered and insightful individuals. Murray offers perspectives on nurturing unique gifts for a positive impact. Join the conversation for the message of hope in this insightful episode! Be sure to read the accompanying story on our website www.beyondthebell.ca.

Join us as Chantelle delves into the critical issue of youth vaping. Joined by guest Kevin Kuiack, Assistant Superintendent of Safe and Accepting Schools, we explore the alarming rise of vaping among youth in the Simcoe Muskoka region. Hear from student leaders who provide local statistics and facts about vaping, shedding light on the challenges schools face in addressing this complex issue. The discussion touches on the importance of supporting students in overcoming addiction and highlights the collaborative efforts of schools and health units to tackle this growing concern. 

In this podcast episode, our guest is Brad Shoreman, the Principal of Adult Continuing and Community Education at the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. Join us as Brad and Chantelle explore how Continuing Education programs empower students to discover unique pathways to success. From Aquatics Leadership to Personal Support Worker Training, and beyond, there are so many opportunities to unlock the doors to new possibilities.

In this podcast, Chantelle is joined by Michael Timpano - Secondary ICT Consultant at Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. Listen as they go beyond the bell and into the world of technology in education. They discuss the challenges and opportunities it brings, from AI-generated assignments to innovative learning methods. Discover how tech is transforming not only classrooms but our future.

Join us as we dive into the intricate world of classroom assignments. With 42 elementary schools in our vibrant school board, discover the art of balancing student needs, staff dynamics, and school goals. Our guest, Deanna Neville-Virardi, takes us beyond the bell as we unravel the hidden factors, decision-making insights, and challenges of embracing change. Calling all parents and caregivers – this one's for you!

This episode explores how Individual Education Plans (IEPs) can provide the necessary tools and accommodations to help students with special needs succeed and achieve their full potential. Chantelle goes beyond the bell and into understanding IEPs with her guest, Cheryl Luymes, Special Eduation Coordinator at the SMCDSB.

with Wade Tower, Secondary Program Coordinator.

For a large part of his career Michael Van Geene has been a Board-certified, Applied Behaviour Analyst. Using the principles of learning, Michael addresses the behavioural needs of students in the classroom. In this episode of Beyond the Bell, he brings his expertise to the conversation about school team meetings. Listen as Michael and Chantelle give you an inside look into what it means to get "The Call".

Our guest today, Mary Day-Mauro, a curriculum consultant at Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, brings us beyond the bell and into the classrooms of our youngest learners!

Welcome to Beyond the Bell Podcast (formerly OnPoint Parenting) where you will get an inside look into school life. You'll hear about topics that you might already be familiar with, but we'll go a little deeper and give you a glimpse into the behind the scenes action in the world of education.

On this episode, Chantelle has a conversation with Amanda Lamb from Pine River Institute in follow up to parent webinars that were presented this spring. Together, they go deeper into the topic of screen time and parenting. You will also hear from our student voice correspondents, Emma and Isabella, as they talk with Chantelle about social media and cell phone use from the perspectives of secondary students.

Listening to this mini episode provides an opportunity to acknowledge the everyday mental health practices you and your family are already doing. These small actions have a great impact. We invite you to listen to this mini episode with your child or teen as a way to continue the conversation about mental health. 

On this episode Chantelle has a conversation with OneChild Founder and President Cheryl Perera discussing the important topic of human trafficking in Ontario. Together they discuss ways to build parent and caregiver awareness of this local issue as well as explore the ways that we can all respond, advocate for change, and prevent childhood sexual exploitation. 

On this episode, Chantelle and Lisa explore eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors. You will hear from students about the challenges they are facing when it comes to  body image and diet culture, as well as the impact of social media. As parents and caregivers, we discuss the importance of reflecting on our own upbringing and generational exposure to diet culture and how that plays a role in our conversations at home and the way we respond to our children.

In this episode SMCDSB School Counsellor Mary Katherine Charters and Chantelle Quesnelle explore common questions and worries youth may have about accessing mental health services and the ways that parents and caregivers can support their child or teen when accessing support. You will hear from our student voice correspondents as well as information from community partners. 

In this episode Dr. Jen and host Chantelle Quesnelle explore what parents and caregivers can keep in mind when deciding to step in or step back when their child is facing a challenge. They explore what we can do as adults if we are feeling anxious while our children are building their independence. The episode wraps up with a discussion around the importance of healthy risk taking and some practical strategies parents and caregivers can follow.

On this Episode, School Counsellor Lisa Hickling Miller and host Chantelle Quesnelle explore some of the stressors that students and families are facing as we head into the 2021 holiday season. You will hear some important insights from students themselves as well as tips and strategies for parents. This episode touches on the impact of COVID-19, financial stressors, managing expectations, and what to do if a family member provides unwanted observations on how someone has changed. The episode closes with some important reminders of the services that can be accessed over the holidays if your child's typical mental health supports are not available.

On this Episode Dr. Gyles and Chantelle Quesnelle explore the world of academic pressures. They discuss the impact these pressures have on students as well as parents and how to know when the pressures may be turning into anxiety. This episode also provides some tips and strategies for how parents and caregivers can support their children and teens to have a growth mindset when faced with challenges. Finally, the episode ends with a discussion about the November progress reports and some ideas to help guide the conversation at home.

Talking about race, racism, equity and activism looks very different across households. In this episode Tracey and Chantelle explore ways to have conversations about these important issues with our children and teens. Together they explore the importance of being curious and tolerating discomfort when the conversation gets challenging. While conversations are important, actions speak volumes. This episode identifies ways that families can encourage activism in both small and big steps. 

Communication between home and school is very important! In this episode, Chantelle Quesnelle and Dr. Susan Graham-Clay discuss what the research tells us about home-school communication and why it is so important. You will hear some helpful ways to include your child or teen in the communication along with strategies to set up the communication for success. While these conversations can be challenging at times, it's important to remember that parents and teachers want the same thing - the best educational experience for their child! 

With the start of school quickly approaching, we know that students and families are experiencing a wide range of emotions about the return to school and learning. Parents and caregivers joined Chantelle Quesnelle, host of our OnPoint Parenting Podcast, and guests from the SMCDSB Psychology Department for a Live Q&A on our Facebook Page on Tuesday, August 31st at 7 pm. Together they answered your questions related to our student's mental health and well-being as they begin a new school routine this September. 

Parents, if you are feeling quite worried or stressed about your child or teen's return to school, this episode is for you! As parents, we have been through a rollercoaster of emotions around supporting our children over the pandemic and many of us will be facing our own worries or concerns watching our children or teens re-engage in school. In this episode, we explore the origins of some of these worries, and a number of ways to tackle our own stressors related to our children or teens returning to school, such as identifying what is in our control, positive self-talk, mindfulness, self-care, and awareness of the information we consume and surround ourselves with. And, in attending to our own self-care, we model healthy self-care and coping strategies for our children or teens! It is a win-win!

This episode focuses on the child or teenager who does not want to talk about returning to school and tends to  “shut down” when the topic comes up. Silence from our children can be tricky, as it can bring up many different reactions and responses for us, as the parent. In this episode, we explore what to do and say when faced with silence or a child or teen who has ‘shut down'. We identify a few helpful ways to support your child or teen in these situations so that you can feel aligned with your child or teen rather than ‘opposed'. Validating the silence, exploring what is underneath or motivating the silence, and creating a ‘brave space' for your child (or the conditions to share) are some of the ideas explored in facing this challenging situation as parents.

This episode focuses on ways to support your child or teen who is expressing excitement and worry about going back to school. Excitement and worry can feel the same in the body and how we label and make sense of those physical and emotional experiences matter! Our children and teens often take cues from us; which, we can use as an advantage in helping them navigate these big experiences! In this episode, we discuss what it can be like to observe our children moving through such big experiences, as well as a number of strategies such as naming emotions, understanding the physical and emotional experience, and using mindfulness. 

This episode focuses on ideas and strategies to support your child or teen who is expressing back-to-school refusal with anger and irritability. This is a challenging experience for parents and children or teens alike. We explore strategies and provide examples to help your child or teen move through this challenging experience to get back to school. Some of the ideas we discuss involve validation, offering choice, collaborative problem solving, and harnessing the memory of skills your child or teen has gained from previous tough situations. 

The annual transition back to school at the end of the summer is one of the most significant transitions for our kids. We have all gone through so much this past year! Our children and teens have navigated many ups and downs, changes and challenges. Understandably, the transition back to school this September will be a big one and will likely come with a lot of feelings for our kids, ranging from excitement to frustration or worry... and everything in between! In this 4-Part OnPoint Parenting Special Series, we explore ways to help our kids navigate their return to school.  Together, Chantelle Quesnelle and Beth McCague discuss helpful tips and strategies to support your children or teens who are reluctant to go back to school, feeling mixed emotions about their return, or simply avoiding the topic altogether! We also have an episode just for you parents, as you are navigating your own concerns or worries about your child's or teen's transition. Each 20-minute episode will include resources available on onpointparenting.com.  If you find yourself thinking about specific questions, we have got you covered! You can submit your questions on our website, onpointparenting.com. We are excited to answer your questions with you and SMCDSB parents in our Live Q&A on August 31st at 7 pm! Here we will join a panel of our SMCDSB Psychology Department staff to explore and answer your questions about ways to mentally and emotionally support your children and teens as they transition back to school this fall.

This episode is all about summer! Together School Counsellor Doug Lowther and Chantelle Quesnelle explore some common summer parenting challenges such as scheduling, problem-solving, and responding to the dreaded “I'm bored” proclamations from kids. Doug describes this summer as the “bridge to the new normal” and identifies ways to support our kids as we navigate through another pandemic summer, filled with disappointments but also hope and opportunity. Here's a little bit about our guest this week: Doug Lowther is a School Counsellor and a longstanding member of the SMCDSB Psychology Department team. He has been with the school board for 28 years (and counting)! Prior to his time at SMCDSB, Doug worked in children's Mental Health agencies in Simcoe county. He grew up in a small town in Nova Scotia (they are all small towns) and he takes trips out east whenever possible. Doug enjoys coaching basketball and makes a concerted effort to be a good neighbour. He always has a story to tell and sees the best in every student and family he supports.

Description: Connection has looked very different this past year. While we have been forced to find new ways to connect with friends and families over the course of the pandemic this episode reminds us of how accessible and important our connection to spirituality is. Together, Dr. Pat Carney and Chantelle Quesnelle discuss how parents can lean into conversations about spirituality by using mindfulness, gratitude, and curiosity. They explore the concept of an internal compass and ways that parents can help their children tap into that natural guidance. Dr. Carney touches on the research that links spirituality to mental health outcomes and reminds us of how our Catholic Education system naturally encourages this spiritual development. Fostering hope and connection has never been more important. This episode provides parents with practical tips on how to bring spirituality into everyday life in order to strengthen this important protective factor for mental wellbeing in our children. 

Together host Chantelle Quesnelle and Lisa Hickling-Miller explore the topic of mood challenges in the context of the pandemic. We discuss what's expected and when more support might be needed, the impact of screen time on mood, and the importance of creating a safe space for our children to talk about their feelings. Simcoe Muskoka's parents will hear some important information and tips and likely will relate to the experiences that Chantelle and Lisa share as parents themselves.  Please be aware that we briefly discuss suicide in this episode and it may not be appropriate for some listeners.

Together Host Chantelle Quesnelle and Dr. Marian Boer explore anxiety across the ages and stages of development - they talk about what is normal worry and when parents should be concerned that anxiety is becoming a problem. You won't want to miss the practical tips and strategies they provide on how to cope with anxiety, which is the most common mental health concern for both adults and children.  

Host Chantelle Quesnelle has a conversation with Beth McCague from the Board's Psychology Department - they explore the dramatically different landscape that our children are faced with as a result of the pandemic and how parents can support their children with the stress they may be dealing with as we continue to navigate these uncertain times. 

Meet your host, Chantelle Quesnelle, and hear where we're headed with the OnPoint Parenting Podcast. Brought to you by the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board and our Catholic Parent Involvement Committee.