ODAAC Meeting Notes Summary:
March 17, 2008
In attendance: Karen Arnold*, Kendra Luth*, Noreen Julian, Mike DeVito*, Rich Rizzuti, Joni Nordstrom*, Shailyn Tavella
(* indicates appointed members)
Staff: Joan Kreiger, Coordinator
Absent: Jayne Percy, Amy Wargo, Gary Lindgren, Eric Bacik, Elena Cahill*
Meeting called to order at 7:45 pm. January minutes approved.
Correspondence: Joan reported that First Selectman’s office is requiring a quorum of 4 appointed members for business meeting.
Student Outreach: Noreen reported that the ALA Breath Express visited the 7th and 8th graders.
SADD: Shailyn reported that the Hard Truth has been post-poned in light of the recent tragedy in town that claimed the lives of two Amity students. Everyone has been affected. Joan offered condolences on behalf of the committee.
Shailyn will update the committee on any progress with
regard to securing funding for her to attend the National SADD conference in
Community Education on Tobacco: Noreen reported that she and Jayne are coordinating the SADD students project on tobacco. PA announcements will be televised. Joan suggested contacting MATCH to present the project at their next conference. Noreen requested some tobacco jeopardy questions. Joan to follow-up.
Publicity: Joan reminded everyone that minutes are posted on the town website and emailed. To conserve paper and postage, we won’t mail them. Committee is in agreement and support.
Joan needs Karen’s bio for the website.
A recent article appeared in the Amity Observer about the PTSA presentation given by Joan and Madeline Leveille, including the SAHA data. The powerpoints will also be made available on the school’s website. Joan did not see the article; if anyone has it, please save for her.
Underage Drinking Task force: Joni reported that filming has finished and editing is underway as plans are being finalized to air the first student talk show about stress. The guests are Cathy Austin, Roni Puleo and 3 students; Joan will be interviewed for an upcoming one about underage drinking.
DARE/SRO: Rich reported that he is in talks with UConn which has the simulator car, via Rep. Themis Klarides. Rich would like to try the car out first, before securing funding to bring it to Amity. He reported that April 2nd he, Gary Lindgren and Tom Balch (Beecher DARE Officer) will work on a mock crash with the FD.
School Nurses: Kendra
reported that the Ambulance Corp is donating defibrillators to the
PTA Rep: Karen reported on the budget meeting with Dr. Brady and all three Amity schools.
SCCRAC: The rep was
absent, however, he told Joan that 3 towns still have not received DMHAS
funding: North Haven,
Coordinators Report:
Joan did an underage drinking presentation for 7th
and 8th graders at
Joan gave a talk at the Amity PTSA about Alcohol and the Teenage Brain. Members suggested making a presentation at Back to School Night. Joan will follow up with Dr. Britton.
Joan announced an upcoming conference on Building Tobacco
Free Communities on April 8th and 9th in
Joan zeroed the budget for the FY 08-09, and submitted it to Finance.
Old Business: A
conversation ensued, led by Joni, as a follow-up to the committee’s interest in
the Safe Rides program. Joni spoke
extensively with the coordinator of Madison Youth Services. The committee suggested a) posting survey on
survey monkey asking youth and parents about the feasibility of it; b) asking the
New Business:
1. The committee discussed the “rumor” that Amity may use Drug dogs (several student editorials have commented on this in the high school newspaper). Rich explained that Chief Marcucci made the offer to Dr. Brady, and Dr. Brady asked the BOE for guidance in how to proceed. Rich reported that Dr. Britton is “in favor” of the drug dogs policy on the books, since he wants to make Amity an “example school.” Rich went to a BOE meeting but didn’t feel that they were altogether supportive, although they were open to information about it. It is possible that a policy could be drafted for the books, but not utilized. The committee instructed Joan to write an editorial on our website citing our support of the drug dog policy as another pro-active step in prevention, and a sign of leadership in promoting healthy, drug-free living.
2. Joan asked if Prom
Letters were still being done, as it is almost this season. Noreen reported that Jayne coordinates it for
3. Joan reported that she received an email from Bob Slie, on the listserve, warning parents to be aware that a new form of methamphetamine is being mixed into a “pop rocks” type of candy that comes in flavors.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:26 pm.
Upcoming meetings: 7:30 pm at Clark Bldg
April 21, 2008
May 19, 2008
June 16, 2008
September 15, 2008
October 20, 2008
November 17, 2008
Janaury 26, 2009
March 16, 2009
April 20, 2009
May 18, 2009
June 15, 2009