Bedford Central School District
Dr. Manno's E-Brief, February 2019, Edition #10
Superintendent's Scoop
2018 - 2019, Edition #10, February 2019
Inspiring and Challenging Our Students
A Message from the Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools
Dear BCSD Families and Residents,
This edition of our monthly E-Brief includes:
An article every parent is encouraged to read and discuss with their children. This article addresses the dangers of underage drinking and substance abuse, Westchester County's Social Host Law, and the consequences parents or guardians may face by hosting a party for minors with alcohol and/or other substances in their homes.
A number of February recognitions.
A number of student and faculty achievements.
As always, to keep informed, check out our District Facebook Page, Twitter Feed, and our school and parent association web pages/newsletters. Also, subscribe to our events calendar and athletics calendar.
We thank you for your continued support of the BCSD.
Sincerely,
Colette Dow, President
Michelle Brooks, Vice President
Michael Bauscher
Bill Canavan
Pam Harney
Edward Reder
Beth Staropoli
Dr. Christopher M. Manno, Superintendent of Schools
The Dangers of Substance Use and Abuse
Dear Parents,
As you know, in my capacity as Superintendent of Schools, I have written many times over the years regarding various issues facing our school district. Today, I wish to do something quite different.
It may surprise some of you that I am a parent of four children, ranging in ages from 13 to 22. I am no stranger to the challenges which accompany being a parent in today’s climate. Parenting is certainly not easy, and as a parent myself, I am respectful of the many decisions which parents must make daily regarding the welfare of their children. Today, I write to you less as a Superintendent, and more as a parent concerning the health and safety of our BCSD children, in the same way as I am concerned for the health and safety of my own children.
As many of you may know, last month our school district hosted a Summit on Drug and Alcohol Use among our Youth. Nearly 100 concerned guests attended. The guest list included our elected officials, our medical and mental health professionals, representatives from law enforcement, fire, and EMS, clinicians, counselors, substance abuse prevention and intervention experts, our teachers and administrators, and a number of our parents.
After over two hours of presentations, discussion, listening, and reflection, we became profoundly aware of three things:
1. We learned this is not just a BCSD problem. This is occurring in communities across Westchester County, New York State, and our Nation.
2. Our school district, like many of the surrounding districts, has a problem with regard to our students’ use of alcohol, nicotine, vaping paraphernalia and accompanying substances, marijuana, and other drugs. Data reported directly from our students confirms this.
- We learned that drug and alcohol use by our students has led to serious health and legal consequences.
- We heard the stories of Ms. Ally Kernan, a recovering opioid addict, now a substance abuse prevention and intervention professional; and, from Mr. Jeff Veach, who lost his son to an opioid overdose at age 17. Mr. Veach's son, Justin, upon his first use of heroin, did not wake up.
- We learned that in both cases, and in countless others, marijuana and alcohol abuse are gateways to serious substance abuse problems, including opioid abuse. This is particularly problematic when substance use begins at a younger age, such as middle school.
The current state of this problem is unsafe and unhealthy for our children.
So where do we go from here?
First, I am asking parents to join me in becoming more informed about this issue. I ask you to start with the following short articles, which will take very little time to read:
- Addiction starts early and easily: The story of Allie Kernan: https://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/news/article/Chat-with-Allison-Kernan-11240543.php
- Marijuana: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-facts-parents-need-to-know/letter-to-parents
- Alcohol: https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/adolescentflyer/adolflyer.htm
- Vaping: https://drugfree.org/parent-blog/the-teen-vaping-trend-what-parents-need-to-know/
Second, I am asking parents who have hosted or are considering hosting a party at which alcohol and drugs, including marijuana, are available to minors to please reconsider this choice. I am asking parents who are allowing their adolescents to attend such parties to please reconsider this choice. The consequences of doing so can be severe:
- Of late, police have been called to a number of parties and arrests have been made.
- Westchester County has a Social Host Law. This law “establishes fines for knowingly allowing a party, gathering, or event where minors are present and alcoholic beverages are consumed by one or more minors.” This means that the parent can be liable for “allowing” the party even if they do not provide the alcohol. The consequence is a violation of law for the first and second offense and a misdemeanor for the third and subsequent offenses. The punishment ranges from fines of $250 – $1,000 and the possibility of imprisonment up to one year. (Source)
- This article expands on the consequences of providing alcohol to minors.
Third and finally, help keep your children healthy and safe. I am asking parents to talk to your children about this article and the physical and psychological dangers of drug and alcohol use and abuse. Just as our student-athletes sign a pledge to remain drug and alcohol-free, all parents may consider asking their children to sign a family pledge to remain drug and alcohol-free.
Accordingly, if you are aware of a situation affecting a student or students with regard to alcohol or substance abuse, there are a number of ways to help that student.
- You may call BCSD's Student Assistance Counselors: FLMS, Tamara Tribble at 914-241-6026, or ttribble0823@bcsdny.org; FLHS, Angela Alvarado at 914-241-6050, or aalvarado0823@bcsddny.org.
- You can file an Anonymous Alert, which will be picked up by the student’s principal and me.
- All residents are encouraged to report suspected house parties with alcohol or other substance to this tipline: 1-866-UNDER21. You just might save a life. This hotline is jointly sponsored by the NYS Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, The NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), and the NYS Police.
- You may contact your principal, assistant principal, guidance counselor, clinician, a trusted teacher, or our Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Dr. Ed Escobar at 914-241-6022 or eescobar3312@bcsdny.org.
- You may call me directly. I can be reached at (914) 241-6011 or cmanno4173@bcsdny.org.
My staff and I will discreetly involve the right people to provide our youth with the intervention, protection, and support that they need.
Thank you for considering this article. I look forward to continuing this dialogue and your feedback on this issue.
In service, as both your Superintendent and as a concerned parent,
Dr. Christopher Manno,
Superintendent of Schools
Report suspected house parties with alcohol or other substance to this tipline: 1-866-UNDER21.
Consistent High-Quality Communications
To acknowledge emails from parents, guardians, or students
within 24 hours, and respond within 48 hours.
February - a month of recognition
Recognizing Presidents' Day
by Jenny Olson, Secondary Social Studies and Business Coordinator
The celebration of Presidents’ Day originated as a commemoration of George Washington’s birthday, February 22, 1732. In 1832, Congress organized national celebrations in his honor, and in 1892 established his birthday as a federal holiday. Across the United States, Washington’s birthday was celebrated on the same date, until in 1968 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (Pub. L. 90-363) moved it, Memorial Day, and Veterans’ Day to Mondays. While the date of celebration may have changed, the purpose has largely remained the same; to honor and celebrate not only the four presidents whose birthdays are in February (Washington, Harrison, Lincoln, and Reagan), but also all other presidents.
Brookhiser, R. (2013). A birthday every American should remember. American History, 47(6), 42-45.
Johnson, L. "Statement by the President Upon Signing the Uniform Holiday Bill.," June 28, 1968. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=28963.
Schwartz, B. (2008). Collective Memory and Abortive Commemoration: Presidents' Day and the American Holiday Calendar. Social Research, 75(1), 75-110.
A Brief History of Black History Month
by Jenny Olson, Secondary Social Studies and Business Coordinator
Begun in February 1926 through the efforts of Carter G. Woodson and African American scholars, "Negro History Week" was established to create awareness and knowledge of the Black experience. During the Civil Rights movement, this week expanded to Black History Month. The U.S. Congress designated February as Black History Month in 1986.
At Fox Lane Middle and High School, the Social Studies Department uses the New York State Social Studies Framework to guide our curriculum development. Accordingly, students learn not only about African-American achievements, but also the accomplishments of diverse populations throughout American history.
Anderson, M. (2016). Black history month in schools: Retire or reboot? The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/02/black-history-monthretire-or-reboot/470124/
Bair, S. (2015). Inclusive historical narratives: Lessons from Mary Ritter Beard and Carter G. Woodson. Social Studies Research & Practice (Board of Trustees Of The University Of Alabama), 10(2), 124-134.
Curtis, S. (2018). Black history past and present. Middle Web. Retrieved from https://www.middleweb.com/5365/black-history-past-present/
Scott, M. D. The history of black history. Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Retrieved from http://www.blackpast.org/perspectives/history-black-history-month
February Recognitions
February includes National School Counseling Week. We all value the important work of our counselors to support students' social, emotional wellness, and college and career goals.
February 11th is Thomas Alva Edison’s Birthday. Edison was a great American inventor who patented more than 1,000 inventions, including the phonograph, the microphone, and the incandescent electric lamp. He lived from 1847 – 1931.
February 14th through 20th is National Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Week. This recognition is always the second full week in February and focuses attention on the activities and goals of FCCLA, www.fcclainc.org.
February 15th is Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday. Anthony was a crusader for the abolition of slavery and women’s rights. She lived from 1820-1906.
February 20th is Frederick Douglass Day. Douglass was an African American journalist and antislavery leader who died in 1895. His birthdate is unknown.
February 23rd is W.E.B. DuBois’ s Birthday. DuBois was a scholar, social critic, and African American Leader who lived from 1868 to 1963. He was the first African American to hold a doctoral degree.
Student and Faculty Achievements
2019 Science Olympiad Achievements
On February 2nd, 45 students from Fox Lane High School competed in the Lower Hudson Valley Regional Science Olympiad Competition. Students earned 22 medals and placed 5th overall out of 47 teams from our region. This is the 6th time in eight years our school has qualified for the New York State competition. Approximately 50 teams from throughout the State will now compete on March 15thand 16th at Le Moyne College in Syracuse NY.
On Saturday, February 9th, twenty-five 2nd and 3rd year Science Research students presented their research at the Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at John Jay High School in Cross River, NY.
Special recognition of our award winners:
- Kyla Simkhai – 1st place in Cellular Biology 3
- Kyla Simkhai – 3rd place overall best poster in competitive poster session B
- Min Young Lee – 1st place in Biology 4
- Diane Zhang – 1st place in Bioinformatics
- Isabella Pansini – 1st place in Cellular and Molecular Biology 1
Both Diane and Isabella are now eligible to present their research at the Upstate NY Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at the University of Albany, March 27-28. They will compete for the top 5 spots to present at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in Albuquerque, NM, April 24-27.
Lower Hudson Valley Regional Science Olympiad Competition FLHS Results
All County Jazz Ensembles
Four FLHS students have been selected to participate in the Area All-County Jazz ensembles for 2019. They will perform in the Westchester County School Music Association All-County Jazz Festival on March 15, 2019 in Mamaroneck, New York. For the sixth year in a row, the Bedford Central School District has been recognized as one of the 2018 NAMM Foundation Best Communities for Music Education.
Parenting for Prevention
Cultivating curiosity and passion for learning.
Providing challenging educational opportunities.
All students achieving their full potential.
Local Live - Enjoy Fox Lane Sporting Events Anytime, Anywhere!
Important Links
Emergency Closings, Delays, or Early Dismissals
Families and staff members will get notified via phone, email, and text using our School Messenger system. Please make sure your school has up-to-date contact information .
The District also posts delay, early dismissal, or closing information on the District Website, BCSDTV, and uses WHUD, News 12, NBC-TV, CBS-TV, FOX 5, and ABC-TV to broadcast school closings, late arrivals, and early dismissals.
On days when inclement weather is predicted, the decision to close school could be made the evening prior. If not, the decision-making process begins at 3:30 a.m. and includes research on weather conditions, assessment of site conditions for our schools, consultation with the highway departments of our towns, and a conference call with regional superintendents of schools. A decision will be made by approximately 5 a.m. and the communication process will be initiated.
Some important information:
- A "Delay" means a 2-hour delay for students and staff. Students report to their bus stops or arrive at school 2 hours after normal time.
- When a "Delay" is called, please continue to be alert for communications, as a "Delay" can become a "School Closing."
- For "Early Dismissals," the earliest dismissal bus runs for the high school/middle school begin at 10:20 a.m. Elementary students are dismissed at 11:30 a.m.
If schools are closed, facilities are not available for after-school or evening activities by internal or external organizations; therefore, all after-school activities and meetings are cancelled, with the exception of after-care occurring in schools.
For "Early Dismissals," staff members are dismissed after students have left a campus.
If schools are closed or there is an early dismissal on a Friday, please check the District website for the status of weekend activities.