DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE IS A SERIOUS AND GROWING ISSUE FOR OUR COMMUNITY; PARENTS URGED TO ATTEND PRESENTATION ON MONDAY NIGHT
|
The following letter was sent out to North Shore High School Parents by Principal Albert Cousins
Dear North Shore Families, Dear North Shore Families, Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious and growing issue for our community. Like many communities across the region and nation we are experiencing increases in drug and alcohol use and addiction. Each year the school has worked to educate students and families, in different ways, as a means of prevention. However, when planning for this year we committed to an enhanced approach. Our primary aim is to start a conversation within families that can lead to productive and helpful actions for students who may be experiencing peer pressure or facing challenges navigating adolescence with the presence of drugs or alcohol. It is likely that every student in our school, at some point, will be faced with decisions about drugs or alcohol and we are committed to doing what we can to work with parents to prevent underage use that can have a lasting negative impact on a young person’s development. With support from the district, our social workers, and the HS PTO, the school has planned a series of events in conjunction with Red Ribbon Week, a national event, designed to raise awareness about substance abuse. This week happens to coincide with our Spirit Week and leads directly into Homecoming. We are opening the week with a “Wear Red Day” sponsored by the NSHS Student Government on Monday, October 24th. During the week of October 24th, students in physical education classes will a session with a representative from the Long Island Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (LICADD). These sessions have been organized to keep the ratio of students small to allow for open questioning and active engagement. Also throughout the week we will have representatives from various treatment agencies present on campus during student lunch periods. The agencies visiting our school with informational materials at tables include the Mineola Community Treatment Center, Port Counseling Center, and the Melillo Center. It is essential that parents and students attend an evening presentation on Monday, October 24th at 7:30 PM in the High School theatre. An informational flyer accompanying this email details the key points and featured presenters. We are also fortunate to welcome Anthony Rizzuto from the Seafield Center, who specializes in work with families, to our campus that evening. I am hoping that our theatre is filled with parents and students for this meeting. By no means does one week suffice in our crusade to raise awareness, increase prevention, and promote access to treatment centers for our families. However, we do hope that this one week is a stimulus for conversations among students and families about the issue. It is just one step toward a much bigger, and ongoing goal. The school does has services to support students and we are hoping to further develop the relationship between families and the school around substance abuse and, if necessary, helping families get further support from treatment agencies. I hope that you will join us on October 24th. Sincerely, Albert Cousins, Principal North Shore High School BACK TO WEEKLY |
