|
April 2017 News & Updates
|
|
The Smithtown Youth Bureau Thanks All...
For Writing Thank You Letters to our
Local Emergency Responders!
The Smithtown Youth Bureau received
over 400 letters from our student residents for our recent
Town-wide Letter Writing Contest!!!
Entrants were asked to write and submit letters of thanks about Local Emergency Responders who had either personally impacted their life, or simply expressing appreciation and gratitude to all Emergency Responders. We were
overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response!
Members of our Town of Smithtown Youth Advisory Board (students and adults representing all communities throughout Smithtown Township) read through all of the letters, and voted for the "Best". Twelve winners were selected, from various age categories. Winners have been notified, and will be recognized at Global Youth Service Day on April 22, 2017, where they have been asked to read their letters to the honored Emergency Responders in attendance. Smithtown Youth Bureau thanks the hundreds of students who participated by expressing their thanks to our Emergency Responders. ALL of the letters were sincere and beautifully written, and will be sent to Emergency Responders within Smithtown Township. As one contest entry stated, "Saying thank you doesn't seem like enough..." |
|
|
|
R.I.S.E Program at Commack High School
Smithtown Youth Bureau staff felt very honored to be invited to be presenters at the
3rd Annual R.I.S.E. event, sponsored by Commack High School Interact Club.
R.I.S.E. is the acronym for Rotary, Interact, Service for Everyone.
On March 21st, High School Interact Clubs from
Smiththown High School, Kings Park High School, and Islip High School
met at
Commack High School
for this full day event to network and attend three (3) breakout sessions. Sessions included Mindfulness, How to Market Community Service Events and Leadership.
Youth Bureau staff presented an interactive session on
Leadership. Participants worked in groups to identify qualities of leaders and characteristics of Leadership. Group members explored various Leadership Styles, assessed their own Personal Leadership Styles, and participated in group activities illustrating how different styles can best fit various situations they may find themselves in.
It was a great opportunity for all involved, and the Smithtown Youth Bureau was proud to be part of this exciting event!
Students participating in the Leadership Program
Students brainstorming together
|
|
|
|
This year, the Smithtown Youth Bureau had the opportunity to march in the 7th Annual
Kings Park St. Patrick's Day Parade
on Saturday March
4th, 2017.
The weather was COLD, but the Smithtown, Kings Park, Commack and Hauppauge youth participants warmed things up by participating in the parade, and passing out green necklaces & Youth Bureau program information to parade watchers.
Over 20 youth from all over the township showed off the "Power of Youth" and their St. Patrick's Day spirit.
A fun day was had by all involved!
Showing off some green!
Youth Bureau crew marching in the Kings Park St. Patrick's Day Parade |
|
|
|
Youth & Community Alliance of Smithtown
Parents and High School Students from
Commack, Kings Park, Smithtown & Hauppauge School Districts
are Needed!!!
Let Your Voices Be Heard!!!
*Attention*
There are upcoming meetings for each of the three (3) Alliance Special Committees.
It's NOT too late to get involved!!!
All meetings will be held at the Horizons/Youth Bureau Community Room, located at 161 E. Main Street in Smithtown.
Please make an effort to attend a committee meeting, and get involved with your local Alliance. New Parent and H.S. students are welcome! Community Service Credit will be provided for students.
Bullying/Cyber-Bullying - Monday, April 3, 2017 - 4:30-5:30 pm....
The
Bullying/Cyber Bullying Committee
has been making progress with their Bullying video produced by students at Kings Park High School. Also, committee members are working on developing a Student Bullying App., and p
lans for a
Community Education Project at the Annual Smithtown Day
will be discussed.
Three Special Committee meetings:
All meet at Horizons/Youth Bureau Community Room (161 E. Main St., Smithtown)
Bullying/Cyber-Bullying
- Monday,
April 3, 2017
- 4:30-5:30 pm
Substance Abuse
- Monday,
April 24, 2017
- 4:00-5:00 pm
Healthy Relationships
-
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
- 7:30-8:30 pm
For additional information and/or registration, please feel free to contact Stacey Sanders at the Smithtown Youth Bureau
or Kelly DeVito at Horizons Counseling & Education Center
.
Youth and Community Alliance of Smithtown...
Our Next General Membership meeting:
Thursday,
May 25, 2017 from 4:30-6:00 pm
At the Smithtown Library Main Branch
PLEASE feel free to join the Youth and Community Alliance at the next General Membership meeting to be held on May 25, 2017 from 4:30-6: 00 pm at the Smithtown Library Main Branch.
Coalitions are a great way to integrate and align resources in the community and engage multiple sectors in prevention efforts including schools, law enforcement, local/county government, youth agencies, parents, youth, businesses, and more.
For more Alliance information:
|
|
|
|
"Getting Ready for Your First Job"
at
William T. Rogers Middle School
Smithtown Youth Bureau Staff have been working with students at
William T. Rogers Middle School
in a four week after-school program entitled "
Getting Ready for Your First Job
."
This employment readiness program is designed to guide students in key areas that relate to job skills. Students have enjoyed the various activities that include
team building,
non-verbal and verbal communication, and conflict resolution
.
In the remaining program sessions, students will work on
creating a basic resume
, and practice essential
interviewing skills
.
This program is available to all Middle Schools throughout the township. For more information, or to see if we can schedule the program at your school, please contact
Karen Aldrich
.
|
|
|
|
Smithtown Youth Bureau Volunteer Corps
NOW APPLY ONLINE!!!
It's Quick & Easy!
|
|
Apply to become a volunteer with the Smithtown Youth Bureau Volunteer Corps.
Complete and submit the online volunteer application by clicking
on the link below:
|
The Smithtown Youth Bureau maintains a
Volunteer Program Database for tracking volunteer information and your volunteer activities. If you would like to be included in this database, please complete the Online Volunteer Corps Application.
Once you are registered as a Youth Bureau volunteer, all of your community service activities will be recorded and can be accessed to provide formal documentation of your community service.
Registered volunteers will receive early notification of volunteer opportunities with the Youth Bureau, other Town Departments, as well as opportunities with our local partners.
Note: Please be sure to include any previous volunteer service(s) on your application.
*
S
tudents
adults
are invited to register.*
Adults are needed to assist with program supervision and serve on the
Smithtown Youth Advisory Board and the
Youth & Community Alliance of Smithtown
(details on our web site)
|
|
|
|
Helpful Program for Teens!
"How to Deal with ...
Anger
and Frustration"
The
Smithtown Youth Bureau and Horizons Counseling and Education Center are offering a
free five week program entitled
"How to Deal With...Anger and Frustration."
This
highly interactive program helps teens learn new skills that will help them to cope with anger and
frustration, and will also provide the opportunity to practice these important skills.
This program is designed for
teenagers ages 14-17, and will benefit the attendees by helping them to:
- Learn coping skills and recognize emotional triggers
- Practice strategies to deal with emotions in a healthy and constructive way
- Expand their assertiveness skills
- Change negative, hostile "self-talk"
- Try relaxation methods
- Explore conflict resolution techniques
The program is provided in a
relaxed, informal setting. Information presented is helpful for any teen, either those experiencing frustration/anger management difficulties, or merely dealing with the general stress and challenges of school, peer, and family relationships.
The upcoming program dates are
April 18 & 25, May 2, 9 and 16.
Please see the flyer
here for more information.
If you would like to register for this engaging program, please contact
|
|
|
| Did you know that... April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month?
Distracted driving is one of the fastest growing safety issues on the roads today! Distracted drivers aren't just a threat to themselves: they are a danger to everyone else on the road. The national distracted driving effort focuses on ways to change the behavior of drivers through legislation, enforcement, public awareness, and education. Please join the fight against texting and driving, a growing epidemic that took 3,154 lives in 2013 alone! Be an example to your children while you are in the car and teach them the importance of being a good passenger as well. It's everyone's responsibility to keep the car ride safe! Look for photos of our work with the SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Club of Commack High School in next month's newsletter. They will be teaching their peers about the dangers of reckless and distracted driving April 4th and 5th using the evidence based program, "What Do You Consider Lethal?" **Please just take a quick moment to get personally involved..... SIGN THE ONLINE PLEDGE HERE TO DRIVE DISTRACTION FREE! http://whatdoyouconsiderlethal.com/pledge
|
|
Announcing...
Suffolk
County-Wide
Poster Contest!
Sponsored by: Suffolk County Executive's Office, Suffolk County Youth Bureau,
Suffolk County Youth Board Coordinating Council, and
C.A.P.S. (Child Abuse Prevention Services)
Bullying does not discriminate. It reaches individuals of all ages, ethnicities, and socio-economic levels. Sufolk County's anti-cyberbullying campaign needs your support.
Student participants enjoy the possibility of county-wide recognition for their efforts.
Required: Creativity, thought, and willingness to meet the challenge!
Elementary, Middle School and High School Students should develop an original
8 1/2" x 11" poster reflecting, in words and/or images their own perceptions of cyberbullying and its impact.
Posters will be judged and winners determined in accordance with guidelines found
here.
The poster contest entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, April 14, 2017, and must include, on the back thereof, the name of the child artist, as well as the name and address of the school or Youth Bureau with which the child is affiliated.
Poster submissions must be sent to: Roderick A. Pearson, Executive Director, Suffolk County Youth Bureau, 100 Veterans Memorial Hwy., P.O. Box 6100, Hauppauge, NY 11788.
Winners will be notified by Friday, May 12, 2017 and will be honored at a ceremony on May 22, 2017.
Winning posters will be displayed at the H. Lee Denison Building during October 2017, during
Bullying Prevention Month.
Participate & Represent the Schools within
Smithtown Township!!!
Prizes will be awarded!
More information can be found
.
|
|
|
|
Highlighted Youth Bureau Programs
The Smithtown Youth Bureau offers ongoing youth development, prevention and intervention programs for youth and families in the Commack, Kings Park, Hauppauge and Smithtown school districts. Our popular programs include:
- Babysitting Skills/Basic Child Care
- Anger Management
- Positive Action
- Reconnecting Youth
- Middle School Employment Readiness
- Parent Study Group (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting)
- Guiding Good Choices
- Upstander Revolution - Bullying/Cyber Bullying presentation
- Eight Dimensions of Wellness (SAMHSA)
- Community Service Opportunities
Inspire - Learn - Grow Visit our web site for information on all available programs. www.smithtownny.gov/youthbureau Please contact us for more information, or to schedule a program for your school or community group.
|
|
Upcoming 5 K Run/Walk/Stroller-Walk and Kids Fun Run
to benefit
"The Sounds of Silence"
Submitted by Abi Anand, Student Youth Advisory Board member
The Sounds of Silence is holding their 9th annual Run/Walk/Stroller-Walk/Kids Fun Run on Saturday, April 29th, 2017 at Jones Beach State Park. Registration is at 8 am, and the walk begins at 9:30 am. Awards will be given to the top fundraiser, and top runners in each category. Money raised will go towards Sounds of Silence, Friends of the Postpartum Resource Center of New York. Help support moms, dads, and families raise awareness for Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression/Anxiety Disorders. For more information, and to register for this event, visit their website.
Thanks for sharing Abi!!!
|
|
Youth Bureau Staff Corner
Wishing you a happy April, filled with beautiful weather!!!
The Smithtown Youth Bureau is looking forward to Global Youth Service Day on April 22, 2017, which is just a few short weeks away!
Global Youth Service Day is a town-wide event where students and families will participate in a community service activity together.
Please stay tuned for notices of our exciting upcoming Spring and Summer events and programs!
April Greetings From...
Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau Staff:
Stacey Sanders, Janine Marc-Anthony, Cynthia Grimley,
Karen Aldrich,
Gina Shalhoub and Crystal Belli
&
Town of Smithtown Horizons Counseling & Education Center
|
|
|
Town of Smithtown Horizons/Youth Bureau Department
Horizons Counseling and Education Center
is the Town of Smithtown's program for the prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol related problems. Services include counseling, specialized adolescent and adult treatment groups, and referrals for additional services. Smithown Horizons and Smithtown Youth Bureau work in collaboration to provide prevention education to school districts and community organizations.
Partners:
NYS Office of Children & Family Services, NYS Department of Transportation, Suffolk County Police Department - 4th Precinct, Suffolk County Youth Bureau,
NYS Association of Youth Bureaus, Suffolk County Youth Board Coordinating Council, Smithtown Animal Shelter, Smithtown Recreation Department, Smithtown Parks Department, Long Island Volunteer Center, National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA),Verizon in Smithtown, Target in Commack, Huntington Learning Center in Smithtown, Smithtown Industry Advisory Board,
Commack Coalition of Caring,
Smithtown Library System,
Hauppauge Youth & Community Coalition, Kings Park in the k
NO
w, Smithtown Children's Foundation, Kings Park Council of Schools, Communities of Solution, League of Women, Voters, Smithtown Food Pantry, Partners in Prevention, Project9line, Lessings at Smithtown Landing Country Club, and many others.
Useful Links:
Hauppauge-Smithtown Macaroni Kid
is a free, weekly e-newsletter and website for parents.
Each week they share articles, events, discounts, and giveaways for families with children of all ages.
They even have giveaways just for moms and dads!
Sign up
for your free subscription!
|
|
|
|
|
|
