HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-14-YSC-min Hello Everyone-
Our latest meeting was held on December 14, 2004 and in attendance were
Elaine Sterzin, Karen Simmons, Helen Cohen, Julia Schutt, Bill Blout, Jennifer
Wolfrum, Amy Berger, Beth Ribeiro, Bill Kennedy, Bob Quist, and Becky
Rushford
Elaine brought the final draft of the letter and questionnaire that will be going out
to private mental health therapists in Lexington We did not even have to stuff or
fold thanks to Carrie in the Administrative Building Therapists are asked to rsvp
by 1-10-05 and the Forum for Youth sub-committee will meet 1-10-05 at 9am in
Room 243 to plan details around this event.
My update included mention of my visit to the AIM program, meeting all the
students and their openness to my coming back, visit to both Pelham Academy
and the Community Therapeutic Day School A marked difference in the
resources each program, school has to rely on
Also spoke about my work with the middle school JAB group on this half-day
initiative Julia came with me, for round two in which we broke the group into
smaller working groups Each person in the group contributed their homeroom
ideas to a master list. There is a list of 27 some examples include, yoga,
meditation, sports activities, homework help, professional come in to speak or
teach, drama production group Julia said that students were beginning to
understand that the space we would use wouldn't be our space and they began
to think realistically about the potentials
In talking about space, we talked about the option of using space in Cary Hall
Bill K. mentioned he doesn't see what the concern would be because the Dance
Inn just had a production there this past weekend Karen said it is open space
and offered to give a walk through We just need to book in advance
Bill will forward me the "policy" regarding use of space there
I mentioned my conversation with Liz Festa at Hayden and it is not an option to
use space there Also mentioned conversation with Rabbi Jaffe regarding space
An option I also talked about the possibility of using space at Monroe Arts
Center, though Erica Freund needed to speak with her director, two classrooms
available They may also provide access to art teachers, etc Karen mentioned
it being a town building and the recreation has been able to use it for free
Talk about there being a nominal fee connected to half-day programming, plan
for take-off on 3/3 and form a sub-committee to include Bill K, Helen C , Karen
S , Julia S, Julie F (in place of Jennifer W ) and Becky R., and Sheila B We will
be setting a date to meet. Jennifer will head this up Bill K. will be contacting the
Lexington Flick.
Also mentioned issues getting into Diamond School though had the opportunity
to meet two guidance counselors at a K-8 meeting Amy addressed the issue of
needing to include the kids, it not being a good idea to start out exclusive Elaine
mentioned putting programming in school newsletter, possibly fliers, and
postcards to families Helen C said she would attempt to call the principal
informing her of programming initiatives Julia said a good way to reach the kids
is through their parents because they would not want their kids to be left out.
Arny asked if this initiative was being looked at as one single activity or multiple
selections for youth I said I was really hoping to start with one single activity,
starting smaller in the hopes of expanding But Arny and Helen thought that
multiple activities would draw more kids, and might be a better way to start.
I will get the middle school students to put a name to the half-day programming
Bill talk with Dick Michelson, head of Lexington retailers for donations
Bill K. asked what the vision was with this initiative and I said I see it setting the
stage for information about youth needs, especially during after-school hours,
attendance of kids looking, needing something constructive to do and it moving
into the area of allowing us to advocate for a youth, community center Also this
initiative could spark a mentoring program from middle school to elementary
aged students, especially those 5th graders making the transition to middle
school
We also really briefly touched upon the Council's role in relation to my position
especially in situations when there are, may be difficulties navigating issues
around things like space, getting into Diamond We will revisit for next month
Karen and Amy I will try to remember the recipe for next month's meeting on
January 11, 2005 We will plan to meet on the second Tuesday of each month
following unless anyone has a consistent conflict.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year----
Becky