Serving All Communities & School Districts Town-wide Since 1980 |
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*Administrators; Teachers; Scout Leaders; Club Advisers; Community Leaders...
PLEASE pass Information on to Students & Parents!!!
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Helpful Resources for Parents; School Personnel; Students; Community Leaders... |
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Free Family Spooktacular Pumpkin Paint Night |
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Live Zoom Event
Friday, October 15th
7:00 PM - 8:15 PM
Come join us for a SPOOKTACULAR evening of painting pumpkin faces AND preparing and sharing spooky snacks with your family!! Recommended for parents and 4th-8th grade
This will be a Live Zoom virtual event where you can follow our resident artist Suzie as she guides us in painting fun faces on our very own pumpkins. Plus, she will guide your family in preparing a delicious and festive snack that you can all enjoy that night!
Click here to REGISTER for Free Family Pumpkin Paint Night.
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Support Calvary Lutheran Church with their Annual Pumpkin Patch Event - Great Fall FUN!!!
Monday, October 4th - Sunday, October 10th
Mon - Fri 3-6PM
Sat 9AM- 6PM
Sunday 11AM-6PM
*Purchase your pumpkins for Town of Smithtown
Family Spooktakular Pumpkin Paint Night
(Registration link above)
Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau student Volunteer Corps members will be helping to unload and set up 4,000 pumpkins for display and purchase. Drop by with the family and pick out the PERFECT pumpkin for each family member.
Don't forget to register above for the FREE Family Spooktakular Pumpkin Paint Night event, led by Suzie of 'Focus on Balance'.
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National Coming Out Day Campaign
"COME OUT For Safe Spaces"
Community Service Credit for Participation!
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National Coming Out Day (NCOD) & Creating Safer Spaces for LGBT Youth
Throughout the Year!
Presenter: Chris Torre (they/them, Program Specialist for LGBT Network
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Virtual Community Education Event
M.S & H.S. students and parents are invited to participate and earn one hour of Community Service Credit by joining Town of Smithtown in recognizing National Coming Out Day in October.
The Town of Smithtown Anti-Bias Task Force and Town Youth Bureau are pleased to host a special LGBT Network Safe Schools Initiative virtual presentation.
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Traditionally celebrated on October 11, National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is oftentimes celebrated throughout the month of October. In this 1-hour interactive training program, we will cover four main areas:
what is NCOD and why is it important?
- How youth can implement an effective NCOD campaign in their schools; and
- Ways to create safer spaces for LGBT youth throughout the year beyond NCOD.
Participants will also be provided with resources for ways to get involved in leadership groups for LGBT and allied youth all year long.
MS & HS students will receive a Town Certificate of Community Service (One Hour) for their involvement in this special community education event. Students request their certificates by emailing the Youth Bureau. [email protected]
Certificates will be emailed after full virtual participation is confirmed.
Click to REGISTER for LGBT 101/Anti-Bullying
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Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau
Scheduling After-School Programs NOW
The Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau is gearing up for the 2021-2022 school year and we’re ready to schedule our very popular after-school enrichment programs.
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Due to the fact that we provide programs for all of our Township’s middle schools, we’re starting NOW to schedule programs for the entire school year. Programs are usually provided in-person, but all can be provided virtually, in some form. Usually provided during after-school hours, but all can be provided during classroom time, if desired.
There are many scheduling options and all are flexible in design to best meet the needs of each school. All programs are fully funded and can be provided to schools by trained, professional Youth Bureau staff members at no cost.
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“Babysitting/Child Care Skills”: Engaging and fun way to introduce important skills to become a Great Babysitter! Topics include: basic child care (i.e. - feeding, diaper changing, soothing, playing etc.); first aid and emergency training; how to create age-appropriate games & activities; how to talk to potential parent ‘employers’ and get their first babysitting jobs. This program also gives participants the opportunity to interact with our very realistic, “Real Care” baby dolls. Four, 1-hour sessions.
“Leadership Skills” – NEW Programing available. Single presentations or workshop series for specific after-school programming and/or your school leadership and honor society clubs, on a variety of leadership skills including: effective communication; problem solving & decision making; goal setting; leading a meeting & group dynamic; basic public speaking/presentation skills; dealing with different personalities; conflict resolution; empathy; and various team-building exercises. Presentations and workshops scheduled to fit your needs.
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“Study Skills”: Students will learn: how to study effectively; how to organize their time more productively; and how to relax and focus while taking a test or giving a presentation to their classmates. This highly engaging program provides many useful tips to improve school performance and alleviate school-related anxiety. Three, 1-hour sessions. An additional session can be added to reinforce organizational skills.
*“Be Your Best Self”: Deals with overall wellness, self-awareness and teaches valuable personal skills to students in a fun way. Topics include: strategies to cope with stress; effective communication skills; making healthy choices; conflict resolution; and other vital SEL topics. Four, 1-hour sessions.
*“Be Your Best Self” utilizes the SAMHSA – Eight Dimensions of Wellness framework. Each dimension of wellness is interrelated with another and equally vital in the pursuit of optimum health.
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Life Skills To Simplify & De-Stress
This Month:
Kitchen Organization, Grocery Shopping & Meal Planning Made Easy!
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"The Essentials"
Simplify Your Life
Tips for Kitchen & Grocery Shopping Organization
Presented by Suzie of 'Focus On Balance'
"My mission is to empower people to take steps towards better health through Art, Yoga, and Food resulting in the
ultimate mind, body, and soul connection."
Please enjoy this short, informative video and share it with other BUSY people!
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"Your Positive Place"
This video is available for viewing on the Youth Advisory Board's YouTube Channel, “Your Positive Place” which was created by Town of Smithtown Youth Advisory Board members!
Busy Parents, Professionals and Young Adults...
Learn How to REALLY Organize your Kitchen & grocery shopping with Help from "Suzie in the Kitchen" in ONLY Five Minutes!!!
We all need to simplify our time in the kitchen, and grocery store, so come watch Suzie , our Resident Chef, as she demonstrates real life tips to help you organize and simplify future meals and snacks.
She'll also show you all the essential tools you need in your kitchen; the best way to organize your kitchen cabinets; and how create a food shopping list which will make your trips to the market more efficient and enjoyable.
Do YOU have one of THESE on YOUR refrigerator???
Suzie will let you know exactly why you SHOULD!
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LAST MONTH Suzie was in the Kitchen guiding students & parents though preparing two quick and nutritious breakfasts that students could then prepare on their own... Delicious Overnight French Toast and Individual Miniature Quiche!
Check out some of our successful and proud student chefs!
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Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau
Community Needs Assessment Survey
3rd Quarter 2021
October 2021 - December 2021
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Please complete the VERY Brief survey by clicking the link below. This will assist the Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau in determining the programming needs of our township.
As a sign of our appreciation, all survey participants (students and adults) will be entered into our gift certificate drawing for the month! October's raffle prize is a $25 Grubhub Gift Certificate!!!
Thank you in advance for your valuable feedback!
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Town of Smithtown
Youth & Community Alliance
"Student Beach Clean-up Project"
Check out the GREAT pics!
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This event was Great Fun for MS & HS Students
while helping their community!
Held on Saturday, September 25, 2021
10:00 AM - Noon
Long Beach Town Park
Long Beach Road, Nissequogue
The Town of Smithtown Youth & Community Alliance, in partnership with the National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, cleaned up Long Beach on September 25th AND recorded all evidence of drug, tobacco and alcohol use.
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Along with the National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Over 40 student volunteers from the Smithtown Community Alliance worked hard on Saturday, September 25th to clean up Long Beach. Participants recorded all evidence of drug, tobacco, and alcohol-related trash to help identify areas where use is being conducted and to help bring awareness. All debris was removed from the beach. This was part of the Alliance's effort to our communities SAFE and clean. Data about the beach debris was collected and submitted to the National Guard Counter Drug Task Force and the Ocean Conservancy.
All participating students received Town of Smithtown Youth & Community Alliance Certificates of Community Service. Town Alliance activities and programs are coordinated by the Town of Smithtown Horizons Counseling & Education Center and the Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau.
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Our community partners, the Smithtown Historical Society held their annual Heritage Country Fair on Sunday, September 19. Our Youth Bureau Volunteer Corps members (30 of them) were in full force volunteering throughout the day.
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Students assisted with crafts, hay rides and supporting Historical Society staff at the event entrances.
Thanks to our SUPER Volunteer Corps and the dedicated staff & volunteers of the Historical Society, who provided this wonderful event for the community!
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"Creative Connections Campaign"
Join with Hands Across Long Island (HALI)
Reach out to isolated residents at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center
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HALI’s Creative Connections campaign connects with our community experiencing loneliness through letters, pictures, drawings, poetry, and art that can be delivered to and kept by people held in these lonely places. Creative Connections will hand deliver these cards, notes, and pieces of art to people in Pilgrim Psychiatric Center. To reach every person and keep our campaign going... We will need 275 letters/art/cards each month!"
Please send kind messages which inspire hope at difficult times, and address your creations to:
Hands Across Long Island
Attn: Emily Vaianella
159 Brightside Avenue
Central Islip, NY, 11722
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If you would like a community service certificate, please include your name and email address in the envelope.
*Completion of 3 cards will earn one hour of community service, and the completion of 6 cards will earn 2 hours of community service.
If you would like to prepare and send creations in bulk (25 or more cards/pieces of art), we will award you a certificate with a a max. of 8 community service hours issued from Hands Across Long Island in partnership with the Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau.
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Use the PDF below to VIEW & SHARE the entire Creative Connections Invitation Letter
Please email Emily Vaianella with any questions at:
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It's Time for Fall Planting
Plant YOUR Happy Sentiments - Send Photo - Earn Community Service Credit
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"Happiness Grows Here"
Planting at Smithtown Town Hall
Kindness Rock Garden Continues...
(At Smithtown Town Hall, 99 West Main Street, Smithtown)
KEEP Our Township's Kindness Rock Garden
GROWING ALL YEAR!!
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Creating Kindness Rocks can be an excellent activity for friends and family to do together.
Examples of designs are - words of encouragement; rainbows of hope; butterflies; flowers; optimistic and inspiring words or phrases... virtually anything that spreads positivity. The more colorful, the better!!!
*When your rocks are ready, just bring them up to Smithtown Town Hall at 99 Main Street in Smithtown and PLANT them in the Kindness Garden to brighten the day for all who drive by!
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***PLEASE take a PHOTO of you planting your rocks (showing the rocks you made) and email your photo(s) ASAP to the Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau to share! Include your full name as you'd like it to appear on your Town Community Service Certificate and we'll email it back to you.
*One (1) hour of Community Service Credit for three (3) rocks. Maximum two (2) hrs. of credit (6 rocks).
ALL ages/grades welcome to participate!
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Kindness Can Be Spread In MANY Different Ways!
Ways YOU & Your Family Can HELP...
Contact the Youth Bureau about documenting your activity and earning Student Community Service Credit
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Ways to Help Feed
Struggling Families
PLEASE consider donating to one or more of these important community resources. Don't let anyone in YOUR community go hungry!!!
Each donation will go towards supplying a struggling family with nutritious food that many of us take for granted.
Donating to one or more of these charities are a wonderful individual, family or group project!
-Long Island Cares
-Island Harvest
-Smithtown Food Pantry
Click HERE for ALL DETAILS on how you and your group or family can HELP!
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Don't forget about
Helping our Local Furry Friends!!!
The Town of Smithtown Animal Shelter provides numerous services to our community.
-Cat & Dog Adoptions and Foster Care
-Trap; Neuter & Return
-Microchipping
-Cost Effective Neutering & Vaccinations, and More!
Click HERE to visit Smithtown Animal Shelter website.
Click HERE to see how you, your family or group can HELP! Donate - Volunteer - Community Service Hours
Needed:
Toys - Blankets - Tennis Balls - Sugar Free Peanut Butter...
Contact: (631) 360-7575
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Community Happenings in October |
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Students... Join the Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau
Volunteer Corps
AND
Local Community Groups/Agencies... Become a Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau
Volunteer Program Partner
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Join the hundreds of Other Local
Youth and Families as registered...
Town of Smithtown Volunteer Corps Members
Smithtown Youth Bureau
Volunteer Corps member!
Get Early Notification about
Community Service Opportunities
&
Fun Family Programs
Continue reading here for more information.
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Does your group/agency
Need Volunteers?
The Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau
promotes volunteerism and fosters
positive social and leadership opportunities for
youth and families
throughout the township.
The Youth Bureau is interested in partnering with local
groups and organizations to promote volunteer
opportunities for youth and families in the community.
For more information - click here
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Click link to view & share our brochure:
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Check out our brand NEW Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau Logo!!!
We'll be updating our Brochure AND the look or our Monthly Newsletter SOON.
Hope you like it!
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Town of Smithtown Horizons Counseling & Education Center |
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Horizons Counseling and Education Center is an OASAS-licensed not-for-profit agency funded to provide adolescent & adult treatment, prevention and education services for drug and alcohol related problems.
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Full Assessment Services:
Appointments Are Available
If there is any concern that you, your child or another family member may be experiencing a substance abuse issue, PLEASE reach out for information and support.
This has been an extremely challenging time for individuals and families. There is absolutely no shame in seeking assistance in helping yourself and/or loved ones to deal with this situation together.
You don't have to go through this alone...
There is HELP available.
Details can be requested, as well as an appointment for an assuring, professional assessment of the situation you are experiencing.
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The full Assessment & Intake Procedure consists of:
- Phone screening
- In-Person or Virtual Appointment with a Clinical Staff Member to Discuss Potential Need for Treatment
- Consultation with a Member of Our Nursing Staff
- Evaluation with Our Psychiatric Practitioner (provided if needed)
- Drug/Alcohol Testing
- Sessions and with Family and any Person Involved in Your Life
Medication assisted treatment can be provided
Telehealth Services Available
To get further information and/or to schedule an assessment:
631-360-7578
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Research-Based Prevention Programming
Horizons Counseling and Education Center's Prevention Program works with local schools and community groups to develop and offer drug and alcohol presentations virtually and/or in-person.. If you are interested in a presentation or in having your students take part in a evidenced based preventive, resiliency building program please contact Kelly Devito for more information:
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Visit both of the following EXCELLENT sources for quality family activities:
-NY Metro Parents-Suffolk (Sanity saving ideas & activities):
-Macaroni Kid (Articles; events; guides): Click Here
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Association for Mental Health and Wellness:
NYS Office of Mental Health Emotional Support Line:
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Smithtown Children's Foundation (SCF): Provide financial and emotional support to children & families within our Smithtown community by bridging family, friends, neighbors & local business to act as ONE in times of crisis: Click Here
Upcoming Community Fundraisers for SCF: Click Here
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161 E. Main Street
Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone: (631) 360-7595
Fax: (631) 360-7687
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