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SRSLY: from Andy Ingall’s perspective

Courtesy photo.
Courtesy photo.

(This is the second in a series of columns about SRSLY. This one is written by Andy Ingall, superintendent of Chelsea District Schools.)

SRSLY is about shifting the paradigm regarding kids – how they behave and how we treat them.

It’s so easy to just say, all kids “drink” or all kids “smoke pot,” but I’m not convinced that this is true. In fact, the data we have gathered demonstrates that is isn’t true. Instead, we need to support kids so they understand that drinking or smoking pot is not the norm in Chelsea.

Adolescents can be boisterous and full of energy – our role as a community is to embrace our youth, enjoy their energy, and help them express that energy in positive and appropriate ways.

Having events in town for kids where adults are present and interact with the kids are two great ways to send the message, “It’s OK to let kids have time and some space to do their own “thing,” but they still need appropriate supervision.”

From an organizational point of view, we know that students who use drugs or drink alcohol do not have the same level of success as those that don’t. This is true in all areas of performance – in the classroom, on the athletic fields, artistically, and even socially.

An adolescent’s body and mind as is growing and developing at such a fast rate that they need as many positive inputs as possible. Alcohol and drugs are clearly an unhealthy choice. As a community we need to work together to support the exclusion of known “negatives.”

From a prevention point of view, one of our Board or Education’s goals is to “Maintain a Positive, Safe and Healthy School Environment.” Having drug and alcohol free schools is obvious, but we really want to have this for our youths at all times.

From an educational point of view, we want to provide information and resources to students so that they can make educated and informed choices about what they do and don’t do.

We also need to provide opportunities for positive and engaging involvement both during and after school. Athletics, music, and clubs are abundant in Chelsea. And busy kids have less opportunity to get into “trouble” when they are actively engaged with positive adult role models.

The school district strives to provide as many of those opportunities as possible.

Courtesy photo.
Courtesy photo.

 

 

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