In response to parent concerns about student health and wellbeing, the Marshalltown Community School District is partnering with parentguidance.org to host “Bobcat Parent Wellness Night” and deliver presentations developed by licensed therapists.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14, and the watch party and presentation will run from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Marshalltown High School cafeteria. Parents should plan to enter through the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center.

Childcare will be provided for kids in preschool through fourth grade, and a free meal will be catered by La Carreta (RSVP required). All attendees will be given a food item to take home with them donated by JBS.

“The District has always made it a priority to support our community. We are always looking to increase family engagement and came across this unique opportunity. Our goals for this event are to first offer our families a time to learn more about common mental health conditions that their children may be experiencing, as well as some tips on how to improve their coping,” MCSD Communications Director Adam Sodders said. “The other was to share with our families some general information about the work going on in our schools to support our students’ social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health.”

The event is launching a live interactive monthly webinar series for parents – in partnership with ParentGuidance.org and the Cook Center – focused on mental health topics that students face each day.