HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/17/2014RECEIVED
I DEC 1 1 2014
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Southold Town Clerk
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ANTI -BIAS TASK FORCE
SOUTHOLD TOWN ANTI BIAS TASK FORCE NOVEMBER 17, 2014
PRESENT: BILL RULAND, MIKE DOMINO, LORETTA HATZEL-GERACI, LEROY HEYLIGER, LOUISE
HUG,ELEANOR LINGO,SONIA SPAR, JEAN LEPRE, SUSAN DINGLE, VAL ERIE SHELBY, CINDY SMITH
GUESTS PRESENT: Greenport School Mr Gamberg/ Superintentdant, Jillian Ruroede (Social
Worker),Southold- Mr Gamberg/ Superintendant, Mr Brostowski (Dean of Students), Mattituck/
Cutchogue-Kelly Pickering Social Wiorker, Debra Guryn (elementary principal), Mr /Smith (HS
principal)
CORRECTIONS FOR LAST MONTHS MINUTES ARE: Eleanor Lingo was excused, Valerie Shelby was
present and Sonia Spar's name was spelled incorrectly. Minutes are approved with corrections.
School representatives are here with ABTF to discuss how their schools are implementing programs
and how the ABTF might be able to help with re: Dignity Act.
Greenport reports they are pro -active . They have a monthly meeting with elementary students and
4 assemblies with HS students.
Cutchogue-had a panel with disabled to address 6th grade students, and they hold weekly class
meetings with elementary students.
Southold created the Buddy Bench/where a child can go if they feel lonely and other children are
encouraged to notice who is on the bench and be a "buddy". They have student led class
meetings(11/2 hour weekly which start with expressing gratitude, then something they
regret/apology, movie night, friendship matters group, youthn forum, 6th grade shadow day, 7th
grade opportunity to talk about transition.
Mattituck-There is a reduction in reports since the Dignity Act. They balance diciplinw with follow
up counseling. They had Detective Rory -cyber bullying, priest froom Ghana;, re: Sudan.
Question is what are schools doing with families? Mr Gamberg feels it's very important but typically
parent involvement is sparsely attended with programs offered.Sonia /ABTF suggests that bias
continues because one group gets stereotyped and people don't meet each other. Mr. Gamberg
feels that there are mixed messages in the media which glorify negative values.
Town Hall, 53095 Main Road
PO Box 1179
Southold, NY 11971
Mr Smith (Mattituck) states that Yik Yak (internet) can now be controlled -can put up a fence around
your school to shut it down. We aren't reaching parents who demonstrate bias in the home. It the
biggest hurdle to clear. He feels we will make progress but must dontinue to influence our children
by our actions, but it will take time.
Mike Domino addresses the material incidents of discrimination/harassment . Mr. Smith states the
12 reports indicated meet the criteria od NY state standards. Mattituck is addressing. There are
more reports but they are subject to interpretation. Legislation is important to equality but
implementation is most important to affect change.
All schools train staff and support staff. Hurting words are addressed in elementary school. Should
the town ABTF have a mtg to encourage parents to understand bullying?
Southold/Greenport are going to focus on education re: cyber bullying. We want to leave the
meeting today with 3 projects.
1. ABTF-Bias in schools town meeting/realizing how home environment affects family/bring
families together.
2. Debra/Cutchogue-educational workshops/internet safety
3. 30 second spotlight/smartboard TV show/public service announcement/ Kids will watch it
because it's their peers.
ABTF will support the schools by providing a public forum. Later we will have a showcase to
spotlight. Mr Smith suggests we want every one to be a part of the movement and be proud, don't
have prizes. Susan Dingle adds that poetry street /open mike at blue duck cafe is another avenue to
use as the focus in people can affirm who they are. (maybe we can do one for students).
Bill Ruland acknowledges we must lead by example and encourage children to have the
tools to say no to distractions. " Let's try as many venues as we can to help families to be
involved. Maybe the town can help us with public service announcement on Channel 22.
The ABTF will follow up on hard data- on what is a DACA report. What constitutes a
material incident? We need to reduce the "kids just being kids attitude; it's all the media;
you can't reach the kids because it's the parent's."
MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATION/ ( honoring Mrs. Prince)
We are establishing a committee for guidelines to honor a person in the community who
shares our mission . Leroy, Jean Loretta and Val will meet.
NEW BUSINESS
Do school boards let administration make decisions rather than constituents input? Hiring? Are
schools making efforts to get diversity in our schools? Can the ABTF educate the community by
providing educational material. Who is attending the BOCES forum?Meetin g adjourned 12 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Cynthia A Smith