A Public Forum will be held from 7 to 8:30 PM on January 13^th at the High School Auditorium.  This is the first in a series of meetings for the Pawling community to come together and discuss the findings of a survey taken by 8^th, 10^th and 12^th graders in 2009.  All residents—youth and adults—are welcome to attend.

As we have seen from recent local incidents of risky behavior by our youth, Pawling is not immune to tragedy.  High-risk behaviors, including the use of tobacco, alcohol, other drugs, violence, and early sexual involvement during adolescence remain serious public health issues.

National statistics are staggering.  Forty percent of youth who started drinking at age 13 or younger develop alcohol dependence later in life. Adolescents can become addicted to substances more quickly than adults. Teens who drink are 50 times more likely to use cocaine than teens who never consume alcohol. Teens exposed to drugs and alcohol from peers or family members have seventy percent higher chance of engaging in drinking and using drugs in their adult life.

The questions for all Pawling residents—parents, our youth and non-parents alike—is how do we focus our energies to communicate the dangers of risky behavior as well be part of the solution to avoid such behaviors? 

Back in 2008, Progress4Pawling (website: Progress4Pawling.org) was formed to respond to growing concerns for our youth.  To deal constructively with this challenge, Joseph Sciortino, Superintendent of Pawling Schools, took a bold step in 2009 by having our students—grades 8, 10 and 12—take part in a comprehensive, professionally-administered survey.  This survey was taken by students throughout Dutchess and other NYS counties. 

Recently a Progress4Pawling subcommittee, led by Dolores Ragsdale, has tallied the results of this student survey.  As a result, a series of meetings are now planned for the community to communicate the survey results as well as develop and implement an action plan.

This group has been working closely with Elaine Trumpetto, Executive Director for Dutchess County’s Council on Addiction Prevention and Education (CAPE).  CAPE utilizes a research-based framework, “40 Developmental Assets” Program, to offer a hopeful vision of change that can guide our efforts to create a positive climate in which to raise youth.

This 40 Assets methodology has been in development over the past 20 years by the Search Institute who has surveyed nearly three million youth about how their experience with risky behavior.  Its framework emphasizes healthy human development and relies on every resident to share responsibility for ensuring that young people grow up healthy and capable of leading productive lives.  

The 40 Developmental Assets have shown compelling results: The more assets—internal and external—our youth has, the better.

• Internal assets are the positive commitments, skills, and values that form a young person’s inner guidance system. Youth make personal choices and actions based upon the degree to which their internal assets are developed.

• External assets are the positive developmental experiences that families, schools, neighborhoods, community groups, and other youth and family-serving organizations provide young people. These positive experiences are reinforced and supported by the broader efforts of society through government policy, health care providers, law enforcement agencies, civic foundations, and other community institutions.

Youth with high asset levels are less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors (such as violence, sexual activity, drug use, and suicide), and more likely to engage in thriving behaviors (such as helping others, doing well in school, and taking on leadership roles).

While the January 13^th meeting will focus on the findings of Pawling’s youth, the meeting will also provide insights into how we compare to other districts within Dutchess County as well as other counties.  For instance, did you know that within Dutchess County:

• Males feel safer than females
• Very few students feel that the community values them
• Students generally score well on achievement motivation, responsibility, sense of purpose and in positive view of personal future categories.

Come to this first of a series of meetings at 7 PM on January 13^th to find how Pawling compares.  At this Public Forum, we will lay the groundwork for what was found in our youth’s survey through a questions-and-answers session as well as break out groups to discuss various issues in depth.  Also scheduled are other meetings on March 22, May 12 and in September. 

 Through these Public Forums, it is hoped that the community will empower our youth and residents to consider positive actions to make Pawling a great place to live and bring up our children in a safe environment.

Please go to www.progress4pawling.org for more background information.