Medfield Public Schools
The Office of Social Emotional Learning
Dr. David Worthley, Director
Letter to Parents & Families, 11/13/25
From Dr. Worthley
I hope the new school year is off to a good start! We are a little over a quarter of the way through the school year. My name is Dave Worthley, Ed.D., and I am the Director of Social and Emotional Learning for the Medfield Public Schools. I look for articles, trends, and things to talk about with your kids in regard to SEL-related topics. I have written this in the past, but it bears repeating: Not everything will be relevant for your child today based upon development and age, but I hope you can use some of the information provided to spur conversations either now or in the future. Pareting is not an easy job, and we all make mistakes from time to time. It is vitally important to talk to your kids about how they are experiencing the world. There is seldom a perfect time to talk about complicated things, so dive in and ask open-ended questions.
Below you will find an article, "3 Ways to Help Kids Who Bottle Up Their Feelings," which may help guide you. It all comes down to active listening. As parents, we all want some measure of control and to "fix" all of the problems. Kids don't necessarily want to be "fixed", but they do want to be heard. It's easy to forget that they are not small adults. Their brains are developing so rapidly, and the stress response systems are hyperactive. Staying calm and not rising to the bait will usually be the best option. It is hard, I know.
Below you will find links to resources and articles that include: Parenting Tips, ways to improve Mental Health, and Community Events and Parent Education.
Links to Resources
Parenting Tips
Sora 2 (Open AI) - Thanks to the parents who reached out to discuss concerns about the new Sora 2 app that launched on September 30. After reviewing the available information, I believe it is essential to educate yourself and your children about the potential risks associated with this AI-generated social media feed. Nothing is real. Basically, you allow the app to use your digital image to create just about anything you can imagine, good, bad, or indifferent. To make matters more complex, there is an option to invite others to "cameo," which gives a content generator the ability to use others' digital likenesses as well. For example, I could invite Mr. Parga to share his likeness. Then I could create content in which he is pitching to me while playing for the Dodgers, while I am at bat for the Blue Jays, and you would think you are watching game 7 of the World Series. That sounds kind of fun and appropriate, right? I agree. I will leave you to consider the potentially dangerous uses of such technology. As I began researching, I was concerned about the creation of explicit content. It appears that SORA 2 has pretty strict prohibitive boundaries about explicit content, but there are lots of other AI apps that have less strict creation guidelines. My big fear now is that our kids will not be able to distinguish fact from fiction in any of this stuff. It is worth spending a few minutes watching some clips. As with all social media and technology, education and knowledge are vital. These are tools that can be very useful, and can also be misused if not considered carefully.
Sora 2 is not what you think... 8-minute video
I tested Sora 2 for a week...And I am concerned 9-minute video
SORA 2 is out of control: 100+ SHOCKING examples - 36-minute video
Open AI - SORA App information - 2-minute read
Increase Exercise to Improve Mental Health and Overall Health
It has long been known that an increase in exercise leads to a decrease in anxiety and depression. The complicated part of that equation is that when a person feels unwell, the desire to go and move can become pretty weak. Below you will find some articles that may help put some movement into your daily routine. Kids model what they see at home, so it is important for kids to see healthy behaviors in as many domains as possible.
Short exercise intervention helps teens with ADHD manage stress - 2-minute read - a bit technical, but the point is valid.
Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress 2-minute read
How Exercise Rewires Your Brain for Better Mental Wellbeing 9-minute video
Stop Counting Steps—Track Minutes Walking Instead, New Study Says 2-minute read
Community Events and Education
Some great area events that relate to student Mental Health and Wellbeing are listed below:Offered by Spark Kindness
Raising Caring, Resilient and Values-Guided Children (in an Age of Anxiety)
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Natick High School (Auditorium)
15 West St
Natick, MA 01760Miscellaneous Articles of Interest
3 Ways to Help Kids Who Bottle Up Their Feelings 2-Minute read
Harvard Health Tip of the Day - Smile Science
New study links mother’s selfie habits to her teens’ interest in cosmetic surgery 3-Minute read
Why Some Young Adults Fail to Launch - Why your child might be struggling to become independent, and how to help them. 2-Minute read
Want to Be Happy? Start by Being Kind 2-Minute read
Below you will find an article, "3 Ways to Help Kids Who Bottle Up Their Feelings," which may help guide you. It all comes down to active listening. As parents, we all want some measure of control and to "fix" all of the problems. Kids don't necessarily want to be "fixed", but they do want to be heard. It's easy to forget that they are not small adults. Their brains are developing so rapidly, and the stress response systems are hyperactive. Staying calm and not rising to the bait will usually be the best option. It is hard, I know.
Below you will find links to resources and articles that include: Parenting Tips, ways to improve Mental Health, and Community Events and Parent Education.
Links to Resources
Parenting Tips
Sora 2 (Open AI) - Thanks to the parents who reached out to discuss concerns about the new Sora 2 app that launched on September 30. After reviewing the available information, I believe it is essential to educate yourself and your children about the potential risks associated with this AI-generated social media feed. Nothing is real. Basically, you allow the app to use your digital image to create just about anything you can imagine, good, bad, or indifferent. To make matters more complex, there is an option to invite others to "cameo," which gives a content generator the ability to use others' digital likenesses as well. For example, I could invite Mr. Parga to share his likeness. Then I could create content in which he is pitching to me while playing for the Dodgers, while I am at bat for the Blue Jays, and you would think you are watching game 7 of the World Series. That sounds kind of fun and appropriate, right? I agree. I will leave you to consider the potentially dangerous uses of such technology. As I began researching, I was concerned about the creation of explicit content. It appears that SORA 2 has pretty strict prohibitive boundaries about explicit content, but there are lots of other AI apps that have less strict creation guidelines. My big fear now is that our kids will not be able to distinguish fact from fiction in any of this stuff. It is worth spending a few minutes watching some clips. As with all social media and technology, education and knowledge are vital. These are tools that can be very useful, and can also be misused if not considered carefully.
Sora 2 is not what you think... 8-minute video
I tested Sora 2 for a week...And I am concerned 9-minute video
SORA 2 is out of control: 100+ SHOCKING examples - 36-minute video
Open AI - SORA App information - 2-minute read
Increase Exercise to Improve Mental Health and Overall Health
It has long been known that an increase in exercise leads to a decrease in anxiety and depression. The complicated part of that equation is that when a person feels unwell, the desire to go and move can become pretty weak. Below you will find some articles that may help put some movement into your daily routine. Kids model what they see at home, so it is important for kids to see healthy behaviors in as many domains as possible.
Short exercise intervention helps teens with ADHD manage stress - 2-minute read - a bit technical, but the point is valid.
Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress 2-minute read
How Exercise Rewires Your Brain for Better Mental Wellbeing 9-minute video
Stop Counting Steps—Track Minutes Walking Instead, New Study Says 2-minute read
Community Events and Education
Some great area events that relate to student Mental Health and Wellbeing are listed below:Offered by Spark Kindness
Raising Caring, Resilient and Values-Guided Children (in an Age of Anxiety)
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Natick High School (Auditorium)
15 West St
Natick, MA 01760Miscellaneous Articles of Interest
3 Ways to Help Kids Who Bottle Up Their Feelings 2-Minute read
Harvard Health Tip of the Day - Smile Science
New study links mother’s selfie habits to her teens’ interest in cosmetic surgery 3-Minute read
Why Some Young Adults Fail to Launch - Why your child might be struggling to become independent, and how to help them. 2-Minute read
Want to Be Happy? Start by Being Kind 2-Minute read
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Meet Dr. David Worthley, Director
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Dr. Worthley has spent his career working in the field of psychiatric crisis - whether on adolescent units, in maximum security prisons, or at several schools in Massachusetts. He is passionate about his work with the adolescent population, and understands well the importance and value of a solid educational foundation. |
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