On Tuesday, March 11th, several hundred Putnam
Valley Middle School students and parents attended
the annual “Straight Talk” program at PVMS. Straight
Talk is a series of workshops designed to educate
the members of our educational community about important
health and safety issues. The program consists of
two “blocks” of workshops followed by an informal
social time, where people can enjoy refreshments
and reflect on the evening’s events.
Workshop topics included PVMS Bully Busters (Presenter:
Sixth and Eighth Grade Bully Busters ); When the
Going Gets Tough and the Road of Life Gets a Little
Rough! (Presenter: Coach Matt Moore, C-4 Quadriplegic,
retired P.E. and health teacher); Stand up to Big
Tobacco! (Presenters: Anthony Massarelli, POW’R
Against Tobacco Coordinator and Theresa Del Vecchio,
Prevention Educator Putnam Family & Community
Services);
What You Need to Know About Your Children and
Their Friend, the Internet (Presenters: PVMS Assistant
Principal, Dr. David Fine and Putnam County Sheriff’s
Deputy Richard Mansfield); Just Ask Us . . . (Presenter:
Putnam County Narcotics Department); Unhealthy Relationships.
. .When abuse touches us! (Presenter: Putnam County
Women’s Center); The Parent Dilemma. . .how to drug
proof our kids and keep healthy communication alive
within our families (Presenter: Naura Slivinsky,
CSW , Associate Director/Community Relations, Arms
Acres) ; Eating Disorders-what you need to know!
(Presenter: PVHS teacher and coach, Heather Miench);
and "The Blooey Project"....The issues
of name-calling and bullying (Presenter: Student
members of PVHS VOICES -- Voices of Individuals
Creating Environments that are Safe) In this workshop
high school students from the GSA/ VOICES club (Gay
Straight Alliance/ Voices of Individuals Creating
Environments that are Safe).
The Putnam Valley Health Advisory Council, chaired
by PVMS health teacher Pam Darreff, is the sponsor
for this long-running event, with support from the
Putnam Valley PTA. Knowledgeable and articulate
healthcare professionals from Putnam and Westchester,
as well as PVCSD staff members, local law enforcement
officials, and Putnam Valley students themselves,
made up the list of presenters. Student, teacher,
and parent volunteers from the Middle School acted
as hosts/presenters for each of the workshops. Principal
Ed Hallisey had this to say, “"Straight
Talk now enjoys the status of a tradition in this
district thanks to the Health Advisory Council under
the direction of Mrs. Darreff. It is a powerful
event for our students and parents, and it’s
through her leadership that our community continues
to share this experience. We are grateful to Pam
for her tireless enthusiasm and effort.”
Complete Straight Talk 2008 program listing:
PVMS Bully Busters (Presenter: Sixth and Eighth
Grade Bully Busters ) Parents frequently hear
the message "that bullying is a big problem
for middle schoolers." Is this type of disrespectful
teasing “just part of growing up?” Come join our
group of students as they explore friendly teasing
and unfriendly teasing. Our bully busters will
share strategies to deal with bullying.
When the going gets tough and the Road of Life
Gets a Little Rough! (Presenter: Coach Matt Moore,
C-4 Quadriplegic, retired P.E. and health teacher)
An interactive discussion which deals with some
of life’s problems and inconveniences.
Stand up to big tobacco! (Presenters: Anthony
Massarelli, POW’R Against Tobacco Coordinator
and Theresa Del Vecchio, Prevention Educator Putnam
Family & Community Services) We all need to
be informed as to who big tobacco is targeting
and how they are so clever in getting "replacement
smokers." Come join us and help take a stand
against Big Tobacco!
What You Need to Know About Your Children and
Their Friend, the Internet: Let’s Go Surfing!
(Presenters: PVMS Assistant Principal, Dr. David
Fine and Putnam County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard
Mansfield) This presentation will focus on various
aspects of the internet. It will include such
topics as cyberbullying, school/home connection,
social networking, and pro-active strategies related
to internet safety and security.
Just Ask Us . . . (Presenter: Putnam County
Narcotics Department) This workshop was created
to give parents the opportunity to ask law enforcement
officers questions related to drug use and abuse.
Sample questions are: “What drugs are surfacing
in our area?” ”What if there’s a party at my house
when I’m not home?” “How can I tell if my child
is using?”
Unhealthy Relationships. . .When abuse touches
us! (Presenter: Putnam County Women’s Center)
Healthy relationships take work. How to recognize
and deal with inappropriate behaviors within a
relationship.
The Parent Dilemma. . .how to drug proof our
kids and keep healthy communication alive within
our families. CAN WE TALK? (Presenter: Naura Slivinsky,
CSW , Associate Director/Community Relations,
Arms Acres) A candid discussion about trends regarding
substance abuse with our young adults. Signs symptoms
and how and when to talk to your child about drug
use will be discussed. There will be time for
questions and answers.
Eating Disorders-what you need to know! (Presenter:
Heather Miench) Real life stories of family and
friends who have struggled with anorexia and bulimia.
Signs to look for, as well as treatment and help
strategies.
"The Blooey Project"....The issues
of name-calling and bullying. (Presenter: Student
members of PVHS VOICES -- Voices of Individuals
Creating Environments that are Safe) In this workshop
high school students from the GSA/ VOICES club
(Gay Straight Alliance/ Voices of Individuals
Creating Environments that are Safe) will lead
an activity that examine issues of name calling
and bullying. In this workshop, you'll get to
meet "Blooey" and experience first hand
how name calling and bullying situations have
influenced him. Learn how you can take a stand
and make a positive difference.
