What have we been up to?

Since 2012, the Learning Differences Committee has brought students, families, educators, and community members together to learn, connect, and build a more inclusive school community. Over the years, our programs have explored learning differences and neurodiversity, special education, mental health, executive functioning, social-emotional development, and strategies for supporting children at home and at school. We have hosted expert speakers and parent workshops, partnered with educators on student programming, created inclusive social opportunities for children, and offered spaces for families to connect and support one another.

Explore some of the programs and events that have shaped the LDC's work over the years.

Past Events

2025

Executive Functioning Workshop for Parents
Dr. Ella Storey

Q&A with Erin Piquet
Haldane School Psychologist

Executive Functioning Skills Group for Haldane High School (monthly)
Jess Harman, LMSW

2024

Action Planning Workshop
Dr. Regina Kaishian, Haldane School Psychologist

Language Strategies for Social Skills
Lauren Groth, MS, CCC-SLP. TSSLD - Cold Spring Speech Therapy

Fostering Confidence and Navigating Behaviors
David Roper, GUFS School Psychologist

2023

Parent Advocate Q&A
Jessica Baumann, Educational Advocacy Services Director

Anxiety Relief for Teens
Dr. Regine Galanti

Supporting Students’ Social, Emotional and Relationship Needs
Dr. Amanda Nickerson, Director, Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention

2022

Book Talk with Hudson Talbott
Author of A Walk in the Woods about growing up with dyslexia

2021

Learning Differences Parent Survey

Haldane Book Week - Spotlight on Learning Differences

2020

Launch of new website and increased social media presence

2019

Addressing Difficult Behaviors in Children Through DBT
Kimberly Vale, LCSW-R

2018

Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Dr. Francheska Perepletchikova

2017

Self-Compassion vs. Self-Esteem: Creating the Foundation for a Happier Life in Ourselves and Our Children
Laurence Magro, MBA, MS, LMHC

2016

Recognizing Childhood Anxiety at Home, at School, and in the Community
Dr. Jarell Myers and Dr. Katie Thorpe Blaha

Philipstown Inclusive Playgroup
Inclusive social and recreational programming for children in grades K-5.

2015

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Parents and Teachers
Elisabeth Janz Mayer-Rieckh

Autism Awareness and Inclusion - Sixth Grade
Classroom education about autism, neurodiversity, friendship, and inclusion, including a visit from local high school student Durant Crow.

Exploring Differences and Shared Values - Third Grade
Classroom programming focused on learning differences, empathy, acceptance, and inclusion.

2014

Redefining Intelligence, Creativity, and Student Potential in Education
Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman

Philipstown Social Club
Inclusive social programming for preschool, elementary, and middle school students.

2013

Executive Functions, ADHD and Their Impact on Learning
Dr. Paul Yellin

Low-Tech Supports for Students with Learning Difficulties
Jennifer Wilson, Haldane Director of Special Education

Understanding Response to Intervention (RtI)
Brent Harrington, Haldane Elementary/Middle School Principal

Special Ed Meets General Ed
Jennifer Wilson and Kathy Rohe

Differences Day and Haldane Health Fair Activities
Student programming designed to build awareness and understanding of visible and invisible differences.

Sixth-Grade Learning Differences Project
Students explored disabilities, individual strengths, and different ways of learning.

Philipstown Social Club
Launch of inclusive, community-based social programming for students.