Parents Talk Bullying, Special Education with Administrators

Similar to the "Meet the Administrators" event held earlier this month, two other Westwood school administrators opened their door to parents on Wednesday in the first of a three-part open coffee discussion event.

"Our intent is to be accessible to people," said Abby Hanscom, Westwood's new director of Student Services, who met with parents on Wednesday alongside Assistant Superintendent Emily Parks to talk with parents about various issues, such as , the exams and .

Three other new administrators held , when members of the Westwood High School Parent-Teacher Organization and other parents had the chance to meet three high school administrators face-to-face.

Both events attracted parents who found the greetings to be a valuable opportunity to meed new faces in the Westwood School System.

"I wanted to meet Abby and reconnect with some other Special Education parents," Tania Rooney, who has four children, three of them students at , said Wednesday. 

One issue that arose Wednesday was the topic of bullying, and how it differs from a simple disagreement between students.

"One of the thigns we need to communicate with kid sis how do you deal with a conflict," said Parks.

Julianne Nemes-Walsh, a parent and member of the Westwood Educational Foundation, also addressed the difficulty parents deal with when their child is bullied.

Hanscom and Parks will continue the discussion on Friday from 1 to 2 p.m., when they will welcome feedback on all-things school related. A Third session will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13 from 7 to 8 p.m.