Preparing Elementary Students for a Smooth School Transition: Practical Strategies for Families

ABRSD/Cartwheel Webinar
Preparing Elementary Students for a Smooth School Transition: Practical Strategies for Families

DATE: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
TIME: 7:00 PM
LINK: https://cartwheelcare.zoom.us/j/84230625713
Big transitions can bring big questions—for both kids and parents. Join us for a practical webinar focused on helping children navigate school changes with confidence. We'll explore what kids may be feeling, how to respond in ways that build resilience, strategies for supporting friendships and adjustment, and when additional support may be helpful. Families will leave with realistic, evidence-informed tools they can use throughout the school year. NOTE: This webinar is open to ABRSD families only and has been designed in the context of the transitions associated with AB Forward.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS:
Juliana Chen, MD, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and the Chief Medical Officer at Cartwheel Care, which partners with ABRSD to provide mental health support for students and families. She previously worked as a staff psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and as a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Chen previously founded and co-led The Resilience Project Parents Program based out of Newton-Wellesley Hospital. She is passionate about helping families support children’s well-being through practical, evidence-informed strategies that are supportive, sustainable, and grounded in everyday family life.

Stacy Swasey, LICSW, is a Clinical Program Manager at Cartwheel, partnering with school district staff to ensure effective utilization of Cartwheel's care. Previously, she spent years at Boston Arts Academy (a Boston Public Schools pilot high school), serving in roles including School Social Worker, Clinical Supervisor, Family Engagement Coordinator, and Associate Dean of Health and Wellness. She also worked as a Home-Based Individual Therapist at the Old Colony Y Mental Health Clinic in Brockton, supporting families in or transitioning out of homelessness, and began her career as a community-based clinical social worker in Boston, providing Family Stabilization and In-Home Therapy services.