Page 6 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 30, 2026 Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth hosts annual attendance summit on addressing challenging behavior and supporting student success Special to The Advocate M assachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) welcomed more than 700 educators, in-person and virtually, to its annual attendance summit on Tuesday, Oct. 20, to explore how schools can address challenging behavior and help students succeed in the classroom. The hybrid conference, “School Attendance: Teaching Skills to Reduce Challenging Behavior,” was held at Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School. Presenters discussed how stress and difficulty managing emotions can affect students’ behavior and learning. Sessions offered approaches educators can use to help students build those skills and work more closely with staff and families. State Senator Sal DiDomenico opened the conference with an address on legislative efforts to support education in Massachusetts. Everett Superintendent Bill Hart introduced DiDomenico and praised his work on behalf of students, families and schools. Stuart Ablon, Ph.D., founder and director of Think:Kids, which is within the DepartState Senator Sal DiDomenico opened MPY ’s annual attendance summit with an address on legislative efforts to support education in Massachusetts. (Photo Courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth) ment of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, introduced the core principles of Collaborative Problem Solving. The approach focuses on understanding the skills students need to meet expectations and working with them to address problems. Ablon also announced that Think:Kids and MPY will partner on a webinar series beginning in January 2027. Details will be available at mpyinc.org. Anna Precht, Psy.D., of McLean Hospital and Harvard Everett Superintendent of Schools Bill Hart introduced State Senator Sal DiDomenico at MPY’s annual attendance summit and praised his work on behalf of students, families and schools. (Photo Courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth) Stop cleaning-out your gutters this season Debris Buildup Stands No Chance With LeafFilter E P Heavy leaves Pinecones Acorns Stainless Steel Micromesh uPVC Frame Pine needles Seed pods EXPIRES: 11/30/2026 + Storm debris Custom Fit To Your New or Existing Gutters AN ADDITIONAL 25% OFF 10% LeafFilter * Get a FREE full gutter inspection and estimate: Promo: 285 1-866-319-6047 *Promotional off er includes 25% off plus an additional 10% off for qualifi ed veterans and/or seniors. Cannot be combined with other off ers. See representative for full warranty details. DC 420223000087, AZ ROC 344027, AR 0366920926, CA 1035795, CT HIC.0671520, FL CBC056678, ID RCE-51604, IA C127230, LA 559544, MD MHIC164488, MA 213292, MI 262300331, MI 262300330, MI 262300329, MI 262300328, MI 262300318, MI 262300173, MN IR2025-810524, MT 266192, NE 50145-24, NV 0086990, NJ 13VH13285000, NM 408693, ND 47304, OR 218294, PA PA179643, RI GC-41354, TN 10981, UT 10783658-5501, VT 174.0000871, VA 2705169445, WA LEAFFLH763PG, WV WV056912, WI 537-DCFRR REPLACEMENTS | FROM PAGE 1 The City Council approved the measure at their meetDiscount For Seniors + Military ing Monday, October 26, with Councillors-at-Large Guerline Alcy Jabouin and Michael Marchese and Ward 1 Councillor Michele Capone voting against. In discussion Alcy Jabouin raised the issue of unpaid water bills not being collected, which she said forces the City to borrow more money than it should. Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry, followed with “From Reactivity to Collaboration: Skills for Supporting Staff and Families.” She shared ways educators can strengthen relationships with families and help students communicate with trusted adults during stressful situations. Her presentation addressed how those relationships can help students manage anxiety and regulate their emotions. Elise W. Wulff, M.Ed., senior manager at MGH Aspire, presented “Stress, Self-Awareness, and School Success: Teaching Students the Biology of Stress and Building Collaborative Regulation Strategies.” Wulff examined the causes of challenging behavior and ways educators can help students understand their stress responses, manage their reactions and participate more fully in learning. From left: State Senator Sal DiDomenico, MPY Executive Director Margie Daniels and Everett Superintendent of Schools Bill Hart. (Photo Courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth) “The conference helped solidify my belief in Self-Determination Theory and the necessity to consider autonomy in addressing behavior,” said Paul Bonfiglio, student culture leader at Wayland High School. “I need to be able to move a student across the organismic spectrum, and now I feel I’m more skilled to do that.” For more information about the upcoming conference or other professional development opportunities, contact MPY Executive Director Margie Daniels at margie@mpyinc.org. About Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth, Inc. MPY is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization that provides At the Ways and Means Subcommittee meeting before the full Council meeting, Mayor Robert Van Campen’s Chief Administrative and Financial Officer, Omar Boukili, and Water and Sewer Department Supt. Ernie Laribiere explained that annual repayments would be about $205,000, with funds coming from the Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds. Boukili said he would also try to coordinate work with the DPW and utility companies to have training, fosters collaboration and develops programming to increase the health and safety of students. MPY is committed to bringing cutting-edge information and high-quality training to constituents and endeavors to provide solution-oriented, community-based, multidisciplinary approaches to reducing and ideally eliminating risky behaviors. MPY programming reaches nearly 6,000 educators per year in Massachusetts with many webinars, conferences and seminars. MPY is governed by a Board of Directors made up of school superintendents, police and fire chiefs, and other community leaders who work closely with MPY staff to deliver this mission. work requiring digging up streets overlap. Other business In other items the Council approved accepting five grants from various entities for various purposes; $1 million is from the state Executive Office of Economic Development for Lower Broadway Phase 2/Robin Street pre-construction, including designing, permitting REPLACEMENTS | SEE PAGE 8 S C H E D T U C L Y S E O N U I R O I N
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