by Mike Schnitzel
"We invite community members to join together to seek inspiration, get information and act together," high school Superintendent Dr. Marc Bernstein told a large audience at the beginning of the forum.
Also in attendance were state Sen. Dean Skelos and Assemblyman Robert Barra, who spoke about the importance of banding together as a community to get results and the importance of residents' helping one another in times of need.
Dr. Frank Chiachiere, president of the high school Board of Education, said that it was important to remember the pressures children face today, and stressed the need to make them comfortable in talking about those problems with fellow students and adults alike. "The kind of wellness we need to focus on goes beyond what we put in our soda machines," said Chiachiere. "It's also what we put in our kids' heads."
Darrell Scott, founder of Rachel's Challenge, a program that encourages students to bring positive changes to the atmosphere at their schools, gave the evening's keynote address. He reminded parents of the difficulties of raising children in the 21st century, and suggested starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion as a way to help manage those difficulties. Scott shared stories from his daughter Rachel's life and told of the feelings of loss and despair his family felt after she was the first student killed in the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colo., in 1999. Scott's talk was similar to those he and other Rachel's Challenge representatives gave at Valley Stream schools earlier this year.
After he moved some in the crowd to tears with his words and pictures, the audience broke into groups of students, parents and civic leaders to discuss ideas about making the high school district a stronger and better community.
The student session focused on the continuation of student leadership initiatives and updates on leadership programs already in place in district schools. Student leaders from each school shared their progress reports on, and opinions about, events such as the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, which was hosted by District 13 May 6-7, North High School's Diabetes Walk-a-thon, planned for May 20, and a recent intergenerational dinner that gave high school students the chance to mix with seniors and share life experiences.
After their presentations, the student leaders discussed forming a leadership steering committee to suggest activities to encourage school and community involvement to continue into the next school year.
"We're looking to hit the ground running next year and get our seventh-graders involved in these programs," said Jill Gold, the district's director of guidance.
The parents' session focused on the difficulties of parenting these days, and parents were encouraged to share their concerns and ideas with one another. Scott stayed for this session, and answered audience questions about coping with loss and adversity, giving advice and offering ideas about the importance of parental involvement in children's lives. The group also discussed some programs the district already has in place, including the Bully Reduction Anti-Violence Education (BRAVE) anti-bullying initiative, which focuses on preventing bullying and teaching tolerance, and homework help clubs, which assist students with academic difficulties.
"Overall, it was a very positive session, with good discussions," said Dr. Thomas Troisi, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
The community leaders' session focused on identifying various organizations' activities that are supportive of youth, and finding a way to expand them and get more people involved. Participants discussed forming a planning subcommittee to identify actions community organizations can take to support youth, and possibly designating November as the month for the organizations to hold those activities.
Kenneth Heino, president of the Greater Valley Stream Youth Collaboration and Council, asked to be allowed to go to school clubs to spread the council's message. He added that his group needs to replenish its membership after a recent crop of students graduated and moved on. Malverne Mayor Anthony Panzarella said he felt it was important to seek the opinions of children in the community, to demonstrate that those opinions are respected.
"It was gratifying to see so many present," said Bernstein. "This is the beginning of that chain reaction of kindness and compassion."
Comments about this story? MSchnitzel@li-herald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
