Darien Depot
The Garden Club Jan March 2020 poster wide

Girls in 7th, 8th Grades Invited to Join Depot’s 2nd Session of ‘Garden Club’ (It’s Not About Gardening)

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The Depot invites 7th and 8th grade girls to join the Garden Club, a group that will help them “water their beauty within while equipping them with the tools to form healthy roots as they blossom into flourishing young ladies!” “Based on the book Water Yourself by Shannon Malkin Daniels, this club will help girls learn to make time for themselves, weed out the bad and make room for the good,” says the poster for the club (see below). — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center
The second session runs from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays from Jan. 8 to Feb. 12, 2020 at the Depot Youth Center.

Darien Depot
Fifth Grade Party Darien Depot Oct 22 2019

POSTPONED: Depot 5th Grade Party Now Scheduled for Thursday, Oct 24

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Darien Depot’s 5th Grade Party has been postponed from this afternoon, Tuesday, to its rain date, Thursday, Oct. 24 at the same time, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Here’s the original event listing:

Calling all Darien 5th graders! The Depot’s Fall 5th Grade Party will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. DJ Jimmy Jams will supply the music and games; face painting, and pizza. The Depot concession will also be open serving up your favorite treats.

Darien Depot
Troubled Teen Parent Support Group Anxiety Substance Abuse Suicide Counseling Social Problems Turnbridge Life Solutions Center of Darien

‘Seven Ways to Support Your Student’s Study Habits’ — Free Parent Seminar Oct 24 at the Depot

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Back by popular request: The Depot Youth Center invites you to a free parent seminar: “Seven Ways to Support Your Student’s Study Habits,” at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

During this powerful one-hour presentation, parents will learn how they can support their student with seven tools and concrete ideas that can be implemented right away for better results and grades. There is no charge for the program, but registration is requested. Register here.

Darien Depot

Disney’s ‘Gabby and the Unsittables’ Sunday at Darien Playhouse, a Free Show With Free Food

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CALLING ALL KIDS! The Darien Playhouse will be showing two episodes of Disney’s newest program, “Gabby & the Unsittables” this Sunday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The two 22-minute episodes are free of charge, as is the popcorn and drinks. — an announcement from the Darien Depot Teen Center

Disney describes the new TV program, which debuts on Friday, this way:

“Gabby Duran (Kylie Cantrall) constantly feels like she’s living in the shadows of her uber-polished, successful mother Dina (Valery Ortiz), and smart younger sister Olivia (Coco Christo).

Darien Depot
Emily Torchiana speaks on teen suicide, mental health

Talk on Teen Suicide From One Who’s Tried It: Teens and Parents Invited to Darien Library, Oct 3

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Teens and their parents are invited to hear suicide attempt survivor Emily Torchiana speak at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3 at Darien Library. She speaks about being a victim to severe cyberbullying in high school, which led her to her struggles with post traumatic stress disorder, depression and social anxiety, as well as overcoming a suicide attempt. — an announcement from the Depot, Darien’s youth center

Torchiana, shatters the stigma surrounding mental health, by speaking at middle and high schools, conferences, and universities across the country about her experiences. Her speech brings to light the silent stigma of mental health and build awareness about the serious effects of bullying and her presentations help individuals who are currently struggling to know they are not alone.

Darien Depot

New Depot Program for 7th Grade Girls: ‘The Garden Club’ (Which Is Not a Garden Club)

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The Depot Youth Center’s new Wednesday afternoon program for girls in Grade 7, “The Garden Club,” isn’t actually about gardening but about nurturing yourself, according to the organization’s description:

“Empowering young girls to water their beauty within while equipping them with the tools to form healthy roots as they blossom into flourishing young ladies!” Amanda Mariano, assistant program director at the Depot, is the Garden Club facilitator. She said she hopes “each girl walks away truly feeling empowered and equipped to walk through their journey of life.”

The program will include a “Family Feedback Branch,” in which parents can communicate to Mariano any feedback from home which she can in turn emphasize in the curriculum and present to the group. ‘Water Yourself’ by Shannon Malkin Daniels
The six-week program is taken from the book Water Yourself by Shannon Malkin Daniels. “It’s such an honor to hear my book has inspired your program, the Garden Club,” Daniels told the Depot.

Darien Depot
Choose Love Enrichment Program

Parents Can Register 7th, 8th Graders Now for One of 40 Seats in ‘Choose Love’ Enrichment Program at the Depot

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The Depot youth center is hosting an intensive program with a limited number of seats for 7th and 8th grade Darien students, teaching them “core competencies and skills, beyond academics, that can empower them to thrive emotionally, mentally, personally and socially,” according to an email sent out by the Depot. Called the “Jesse Lewis Choose Love Enrichment Program,” the twice-a-month workshops held Monday afternoons at the Depot will have two sessions, the first for 7th graders and the second for 8th graders, with sessions meeting at different times on Monday afternoons. In informational meeting for 7th and 8th graders and their parents will be held at 7 p.m., Sept. 9 at the Depot. The program is free (paid for by the Darien Foundation) and open to any student in either grade, but with limited spaces.

Darien Depot
Health Fair poster image Depot 2019

Community Health Awareness Fair on Sunday, April 28 at the Depot

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SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), along with the Darien Police Association, will host a Community Health Awareness Fair, Sunday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For the kids, there will be a bouncy house, craft tables (including make your own slime), face painting and free handouts. Dance on the DL in the house with HIP-HOP! — an announcement from the Darien Depot Youth Center

Connecticut State Troopers will be looking for volunteers to demonstrate what happens in a crash. They will have two driving simulators with them. Fresh Green Light Driving School will have plenty of goggles to demonstrate what it’s like to drive under the influence.

Darien Depot
Elizabeth Ortiz-Schwartz

Managing Kids’ Screen Time, Social Media Use — Talk for Parents on April 25

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What healthy media use looks like, setting up structure around screen time, and what problematic use might look like are the focus of a talk for parents on April 25 at the Depot Youth Center. — an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

The “Parent Talk” will take place from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m., will be given by Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz-Schwartz of Silver Hill Hospital. “Parent Talk” is an informal discussion that is part of the Depot’s Speaker Series. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to this Web page, since space is limited.

Darien Depot
Image from Darien Depot for Ap23,19 talk on Resilience

Psychologist to Speak at Darien High About Building Your Child’s Resilience

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Your kids, like everyone else, will face challenges, setbacks, defeats and failures in school and later in life. As parents, you know you can’t prevent them all. In both childhood and adulthood, the better your sons and daughters are able to bounce back and cope with those circumstances, the less likely they are to turn to destructive behaviors, including substance abuse and risky sex. You can get advice about building resilience in your children from a psychologist, Suniya Luthar, who will speak at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 23 at Darien High School Auditorium. Her talk is titled “Youth in High Achieving Schools: Maximizing Resilience.” The event is presented by the Darien High School Parents Association and the Depot Youth Center.

Darien Depot
The Depot

Presentation on Sex Education for Parents, April 4 at Depot Youth Center

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Depot Youth Center is hosting the presentation “Real Life. Real Talk. Sex Education for Parents and Caregivers,” on Thursday, April 4. The presentation, in partnership with Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, place from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. at the Depot, 25 Heights Road. Seating is limited.

Darien Depot
Jessica Feighan Darien Depot

What Parents Need to Know About Discussing Sexual Harrassment, Assault and the #MeToo Movement with Boys and Girls

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The conversation around the #MeToo Movement seems to sometimes pit boys against girls, men against women, and a good portion of boys and men aren’t quite sure where they fit into the conversation. Some may want to be part of change and not know how to get involved. A discussion for boys and men, girls and women about the issues surrounding the #MeToo Movement will take place Thursday, March 14, from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.

— an announcement from the Depot Youth Center

Others may be angry or frustrated with the way boys and men are clumped into a category that sheds a negative light. This could leave parents of sons and daughters struggling with how to have this conversation. In this discussion, we’re going to talk about strategies to bring everyone together as a school, neighborhood, community, etc.