​Croton-Harmon School District Task Force Holds Panel Discussion

From CHSD: The Croton-Harmon School District’s Task Force Addressing Prominent Issues in Society, along with district administrators, presented a panel discussion at Croton-Harmon High School on Jan. 18.

The discussion featured eight panelists who represented experts in the areas of consent, sexual assault, harassment and bullying:

• Jessica Butts, health educator – Croton-Harmon Schools
• Mary Clark-DiRusso, deputy chief, domestic violence bureau, special prosecutions division – Westchester County District Attorney’s Office
• Clarissa Espinoza, manager, sexual assault services – Victims Assistance Services at WestCOP
• Thalia Nakouzi, education and training manager – Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic
• Stephanie Roebuck, attorney, principal member – Keane & Beane, Attorneys at Law
• Eric Rosen, school psychologist – Croton-Harmon Schools
• Lisa Scott, director of community education and prevention – My Sisters’ Place
• Kerri Tracy, curriculum coordinator K-12 health, physical education and wellness, health educator – Croton-Harmon Schools

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Deborah O’Connell welcomed community members to the discussion.

“Your presence here speaks volumes and reaffirms our community’s and school’s commitment to our students’ social, emotional and mental well-being,” she said. “It is up to us as a community to maintain a culture focused on prevention of sexual assault, bullying and harassment.”

The panelists provided detailed insight into issues such as basic legal definitions, including those for consent, sexual abuse and sexual assault. Clark-DiRusso and Roebuck discussed the provisions and limitations of the law related to sexual assault, school districts, and the rights of victims and their accusers. The representatives for My Sisters’ Place, Planned Parenthood and Victims Assistance Services spoke about their services for victims and their families and the community at large. District health educators outlined the curricula in place, starting in health classes in fifth grade and leading up to the sexual education focus in high school.

The district offers many programs and resources to support students’ social-emotional and mental well-being, including, but not limited to, support staff such as psychologists, guidance counselors and a student assistance counselor, at each school, the district’s Social-Emotional Learning Committee, the Advisory and CHAP programs at Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School and CHHS, respectively, and the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program at both the middle and high school. In the dedicated Advisory and CHAP times, students discuss issues ranging from acceptance to diversity and are encouraged to verbalize any perceived harassment or bullying to school personnel. There are also resources available for students to send anonymous complaints, electronically through the “Anonymous Alerts” program on the district website and app, as well as on-paper through the “Bully Box.”

Community members in attendance at the panel discussion had an opportunity to ask questions in advance electronically, as well as in person, with Ellen Morehouse, executive director of Student Assistance Services Corporation, moderating the discussion. One attendee asked the panelists what schools can do to help students learn about consent, related legislation and their rights as early as fifth grade.

“As a community, we need to be involved and active,” said Nakouzi, who added the conversations should occur in school, at home and as a community.

Espinoza added that offering more training for faculty members so they are prepared to take appropriate action as the “first responders” to students who report potential issues to them could benefit school districts.

The information gathered at the discussion will be reviewed by the Task Force Addressing Prominent Issues in Society in the coming weeks to determine any future actions. Dr. O’Connell emphasized that the task force will continue to be proactive in acknowledging and responding to topics affecting students in the future.

“We hope that this discussion provided you with a better understanding of some topics facing today’s youth,” said Dr. O’Connell. “As a school system, it is our goal to work with all stakeholders to ensure that our students have the resources and support needed to guide them toward a positive future.”

A full video of the panel discussion is available here: https://ensemble.lhric.org/Watch/a4RKq98Z

Photos courtesy of the Croton-Harmon Schools (Photo Captions: CH Panel Discussion 1: Croton-Harmon School District Assistant Superintendent Dr. Deborah O’Connell welcomed community members to the Jan. 18 panel discussion. CH Panel Discussion 2: Croton-Harmon School District Assistant Superintendent Dr. Deborah O’Connell (left) moderated the first portion of the district’s Jan. 18 panel discussion. The eight experts (seated) served as the evening’s panelists. CH Panel Discussion 7 (from left): Croton-Harmon School District psychologist Eric Rosen, health educator Jessica Butts and district curriculum coordinator for health, physical education and wellness Kerri Tracy, responded to task force and community questions during the Jan. 18 panel discussion. CH Panel Discussion 9: Planned Parenthood education and training manager Thalia Nakouzi answered task force and community questions during the Croton-Harmon School District’s Jan. 18 panel discussion.)