High School Offers New Parent Resource Center

This article was submitted by Pat Gorham, director of the IVY Program at Swampscott High.

The Swampscott Institute for Vocational Programming of Young Adults (IVY Program) has set up a new Parent Resource Center in the Swampscott High School Library. 

The Center was put together in collaboration with Izzi Abrams of the Swampscott Public Library and Keli Khatib, president of the Swampscott PTA.  The Resource Center will supplement the comprehensive Parent Section which is already located in our public library.

IVY students have been working on the project with high school librarian Doris Gallant, high school nurse Marybeth O’Malley, school adjustment counselor Candace  Delmaestro and health and wellness teacher Buck Harris. 

Books and pamphlets on the following topics are available:

-       Nutrition and Physical Activity

-       Substance Abuse

-       Women’s Health

-       Accessing Community Resources

-       Parenting and Behavior Modification

-       Problem Solving for Teens and Adults

An IVY student, Briana, has been setting up the resource center and IVY alumna, Amanda, will be maintaining the area.  Briana and Amanda will be using some of the skills they learned working under the guidance of Izzi Abrams at the public library.

All parents in the district are invited to use the Resource Center Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 to 10:30 am., once school is back in session after February vacation. Please note that all individuals must sign in and out at the main office for security purposes.

Our goal is to welcome all families into our school district, encourage connections among community members, and offer educational and enrichment materials that are relevant to our community.  

We welcome ideas and special requests for materials in the Resource Center.  If you have a special request, please email the students in the IVY Program at ivy@swampscott.k12,ma.us or contact Pat Gorham at gorham@swampscott.k12.ma.us

The IVY Program is a comprehensive transition program for young adults age 19-22 that focuses on vocational training, career exploration, critical thinking skills, and independence.  In addition to developing their own skills, students in the IVY Program research needs in our community and work to solve the problems.  Please contact us if you need assistance on a project.