(Chelsea Update would like to thank Beach Middle School Principal Nick Angel for this column.)
Staying up late watching David Letterman’s Top Ten List regarding why dogs are better than cats and setting out my clothes for the next day (which included a hand-made SRSLY tie from Chelsea High School teacher Ann Valle) gave me the instantaneous inspiration to pen a short article on something I am passionate about: SRSLY.
The SRSLY program in Chelsea is now expanding to the neighboring communities of Dexter and Stockbridge.
I have been involved in various capacities working with the SRSLY movement in Chelsea during the last six years and am proud to have been on the hiring committees that brought both Reiley Curran (director) and Jesse Kauffman (program coordinator) to SRSLY to lead the community collation’s efforts.
I, too, am a member of the Adult Steering Committee and host the Y.E.S coalition meetings at Beach Middle School. And, the reason I am writing this “Top Ten List” is easy … I believe in the children of this community and the SRSLY program matches and supports this ideal.
So, in no particular order of importance, her are my Top 10 reasons to support the SRSLY efforts as a principal, community member and parent.
10. A community coalition with partnerships between the Chelsea Schools, Chelsea Hospital and the local business, political, municipal and residential sectors. This is rare and says a lot about the people of Chelsea.
9. It’s about kids. The SRSLY program cheerleads and promotes a positive message focused on helping our kids make positive choices while avoiding destructive behavior.
8. The program morphs and grows to continuously improve. What other organization holds forums, supports groups in the schools, hosts events at the library, has created/published/distributed its own comic book series and hosts a duct tape fashion show every year?
7. The Youth Empowerment Solutions Program (or Y.E.S.) is designed to help middle school students develop the knowledge and skills they need to plan and lead community change projects here in Chelsea. SRSLY believes that the best way to make positive changes in our community, and reduce destructive behaviors like underage drinking and drug use, is to let youth take the lead. For more information, click here.
6. Many years of staying power in Chelsea. As the principal to 6th grade students new to the middle school, I often hear: “I’m excited that I’m in 6th grade as I now get to be in SRSLY!” SRSLY is “cool” and has been since its inception.
5. Parties, more parties and food … New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, Fall Kick Off … need I say more?
4. Safe Homes = Safe Kids. This list housed on the SRSLY site has grown to almost 200 households with adults pledging to provide a safe and substance free environment for their children and visiting friends.
3. “Project Sticker Shock,” the annual “What’s your anti-drug campaign” and the public service announcement projects created by students at Chelsea high School have become engrained experiences that kids look forward to participating in.
2. Anyone and everyone can become a member of SRSLY. Individuals can join as members at large, or as representatives of a business, organization, club, group, etc. Businesses can pledge their support to SRSLY as well and become an organizational coalition member.
1. Lime green everything. If you haven’t seen a shirt, poster or banner you have been living under a rock. The SRSLY “brand” is recognizable, memorable and instantly puts a “safe and credible” stamp on anything to which SRSLY is connected.
