|
Area school boards seek increased town involvement, youth activities
By Steven Dlugosz Times
Getting students more involved in school and Cheektowagarelated events was a major focus of Tuesday's joint school boards meeting at Cleveland Hill High School.
In a meeting that was attended by Cheektowaga-Sloan, Cheektowaga Central, Cleve Hill, Depew and West Seneca board members, as well as town councilmembers, administrators discussed ways to get students off the streets and involved in productive activities around town.
Program Coordinator of the Cheektowaga Youth Council Jillian Gorman also attended the meeting and praised the "Art of Charity" event, taking place tomorrow from 6-9 p.m. in the Cheektowaga Senior Center.
The event features a silent auction of artwork from middle school and high school students at Central, Cleve Hill, John F. Kennedy and Maryvale. A variety of three-dimen- sional and two-dimensional art pieces will be featured.
"I've seen the pieces and I can say that I'd without hesitation purchase and hang several works of art from the students in my home," said Gorman, who added that proceeds from the auction will go toward the Art is Therapy Program at Renaissance House. "It's a really exciting opportunity for our youth."
She stated that about 20 seniors from local high schools will attend the event, in addition to 10 students who will serve refreshments and assist in cleanup. Admission for the event is $1 plus a canned good, which will be sent to a local food pantry. Bidding for artwork ends at 8 p.m.
Gorman added that the youth council is involved in an Erie County-wide Project Sticker-Shock, which features the Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, or ECCPASA, discouraging underage drinking and drug use with the prom season around the corner.
Gorman said the youth council is working in coordination with the ECCPASA to distribute stickers and flyers with anti-drinking and drug slogans to local Consumer Beverages, Tops and convenience stores.
Gorman added that Town Park Liquors, the Thruway Plaza Tops store and area Wal-Marts have signed on to the campaign.
"The focus is not just for youth, but for adults who are buying alcohol for minors," said Gorman, who added that the typical fine for adults who supply alcohol to minors is $1,000.
Gorman added that she's hoping to get a couple of youth representatives from each Cheektowaga school district to participate in this and future anti-drug and alcohol events.
The program coordinator said other youth council events involving local high school students include a supervisory council, which features pupils in grades 8-12 (Gorman wants to expand this to all middle and high school students in the future) participating in bowling lock-ins and other charitable events; a diversity session, in which students performed selfdescriptive pieces on their heritage and background; and a "Family Issues" video, in which student interviews are being compiled, including hallway footage and other school scenes.
"There are so many good youths in this town, and I don't think we recognize them enough," stated Gorman. "If (these programs) take off, we're going to run with this."
Representatives from each school district described activities they and the town coordinate among each other. Claire Ferrucci, board president of Cheektowaga-Sloan, said her district is an active member of the Cheektowaga Alliance and is involved in Boys and Girls Club, town recreation and Drug Abuse Resistance Education programs.
Diane Benczkowski, who serves on the Depew School Board, said although roughly half of Depew High School students reside in Cheektowaga, they are not aware of many activities in which they could participate in the town.
Central School Board Trustee Brian Gould said many pupils in his district are eager to participate in activities but lack resources.
"We have an army of people who can do things," stated Gould.
The trustee added that the Central district has focused on reaching out to senior citizens, starting a "Seniors to Seniors" program in which students visit the senior center and participate in activities with elderly residents, such as playing pool, exercising and chorus.
Also, a district teacher recently conducted a "History of Cheektowaga" play, in which students explored historical events in the town. Gould said teachers have also developed more of a Cheektowaga historical theme into the curriculum.
Central administrators are excited about a Community Connection Celebration event taking place May 31, when home improvement information and neighborhood safety and cleanup will be featured. Central Superintendent of Schools Delia Bonenberger said 84 freshman students have already signed up for the event.
Gould added that the Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce and Task Force have each taken increased roles in the district.
Cleveland Hill Superintendent of Schools Gordon Salisbury said his district is taking a look at more interesting activities for students. He added that the district started a liaison program with Child & Family Services and Renaissance House to cope with and prevent students' drug and alcohol use.
"The problem now is school not being interesting," said Salisbury, who added that an assets survey on pupils' involvement in community activities could be beneficial. "Kids have too much idle time...We're going to keep going for our children."
Cleveland Hill Board President Robert Polino said he'd like his district to eventually use funding for summer security for outdoor facilities change toward productive summer activities or facilities, such as opening a coffee house for students.
Town Councilmember James Rogowski, who also teaches in the Lockport School District, advocated that the town develop an overall Cheektowaga marching band that would include students from each town school participating.
| 
