On Friday, October 20, 2006, motivational speakers Matt Bellace, PhD, and Kevin Price will speak to Kent Place parents and students. The event is sponsored by the Kent Place Middle and Upper School Parent Networking Committee and is in association with The Summit Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse and in recognition of Red Ribbon Week.

Bellace and Price, who deal with the issue of alcohol and drug use from very different personal perspectives, will discuss the power of choice and communication as the most critical tools of prevention. Parents will gain the knowledge of how to listen to teens and how to teach them important refusal skills that prevent drug and alcohol use.

The presentation titled, “The Power of Choice and Communication: Prevent Your Children from Drug and Alcohol Use” will take place in the Commons Room, Mabie House from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided in the Commons Room, Mabie House from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. and the discussion will follow from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. A special student assembly for grades seven through twelve will take place that day as well.

Notes Parent Networking Co-Chairs Ana DeMeo and Benita Norrmen-Smith, “The Parent Networking Committee is looking forward to Matt and Kevin’s visit to campus. We would like to thank them in advance for bringing this important topic to Kent Place and facilitating what we know will be a lively discussion. We are especially pleased that our Middle and Upper School students will have an opportunity learn the critical tools of prevention as well.”

The next PA Networking event will be held on Friday, November 3 with Kent Place Psychologist Dr. Martha Torres and Head of School Sue Bosland facilitating a discussion on the topic of “Effective Advocacy in the Academic Setting”. The dialogue will be held in the Commons Room from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.

For more information, please contact (908) 273-0900, ext. 234.