Welcome to Gilda's CLASS
Gilda’s CLASS provides interactive presentations, workshops, resources, and an online curriculum for classroom teachers that help support children and teens who are impacted by cancer. The program is designed to provide schools with comprehensive and factual information on cancer, enabling teachers and school personnel with the tools to respond to a child who is diagnosed with cancer or facing familial illness.
11th Annual Cancer in the Classroom Symposium
Gilda’s Club Westchester invites all school professionals to the 11th Annual Cancer in the Classroom Symposium. This free, virtual conference provides education and tools on supporting students and families impacted by cancer.
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
8:30am- 12pm
via Zoom
WHAT WILL BE COVERED:
- Concrete information on how to support students who are living with cancer or have a family member living with cancer
- Creative interventions to use with bereaved students
- Interactive GCW member panel
- Supporting pediatric cancer patients in school during and after treatment
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
- Teachers
- School social workers
- Guidance Counselors
- School nurses
- Administrators
- School Psychologists
- Health Educators
SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE
8:30 Welcome
8:45 Cancer and the Classroom
9:45 Back to School: During and After Cancer Treatment
10:30 Break
10:45 Member Panel
11:30 Creative Interventions for Bereaved Students
12:00 Wrap-up & Evaluation
SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS
JAIME AKER, LMSW
Jaime Aker is a Licensed Social Worker who has experience working with children and families and coordinating non-profit programs since 2014. Jaime currently manages the Children, Teens and Families Program at Gilda’s Club Westchester and is a member of AOSW, the Association of Oncology Social Work. She is also an adjunct instructor at Montclair State University. Jaime holds a BA and a post-graduate certificate in Child Advocacy and Policy from Montclair State University, and an MSW degree from Rutgers University.
BARBARA MCLAIN, LCSW, OSW-C
Barbara McLain has worked with children and families as a social worker in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology field for 21 years. At Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, she is an active member of the AYA (Adolescents Young Adult) Program and the Palliative Care Team. Barbara is a Certified Oncology Social Worker, a member of APOSW (Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers), and currently sits on the board of “Giant Kids,” an organization that sponsors events in the community and at the hospital out-patient infusion center to bring normalcy to an abnormal time and to honor the courage of Children with Cancer. Barbara is also bilingual and speaks fluent Spanish.