Warren Street Fourth Graders Get Political
Fourth grade students at Warren Street School recently had the honor of meeting Mayor Sarah Slingerland. The mayor's visit helped Mrs. Lisicki's class gain a better understanding of how local government works. Mayor Slingerland outlined her responsibilities as mayor, and described a "typical day" on the job. Her pride and fondness for Johnstown became immediately apparent to all students.

Fourth graders asked Mayor Slingerland about how events in her youth prepared her for her role as mayor. She relayed a story about when she was in seventh grade at Knox and she first realized she was a leader. She encouraged students to find that same gift within themselves. Mayor Slingerland also relayed that although PE was her favorite subject in school, her passion for literature as well as reading, writing, listening, and speaking has prepared her most for her job. The mayor inspired students as she reminded them that power comes with being a good reader. It appears that fourth graders at Warren Street School are already on the path toward success! To view more pictures of Mayor Slingerland's visit to the fourth grade, click here.

Yello Dyno Child Abduction Prevention Program Visits District Elementary Schools

"The Yello Dyno Method," a system of child protection scientifically based on the Nobel Prize-winning research of Dr. Roger Sperry and the research of Dr. Bruce Perry, was the basis of information shared during assemblies at all four district elementary schools on Wednesday, May 23.

Through the use of an oversized yellow dinosaur hand puppet, program presenter Sharon Dorros and partner Sharon Yarmiersch taught children how to distinguish between a “tricky person” and a stranger, and what to do if a tricky person ever tries to take them. Through fun and non-fearful methods, such as puppetry, songs and colorful signs, the presenters taught children various abduction prevention techniques, like the right way to yell for help and how to find the right person for help when lost. The program was interactive, as well: Children got up on their feet and learned to take three steps back and run in the opposite direction of someone attempting to abduct them.

District parents will have the chance to learn how to further teach their children ways to protect themselves against child predators when the district hosts the parent workshop, "Raising Safe Kids," which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12 at Warren Street Elementary School.

District Receives $10,000 Child Abduction Prevention Grant
 "Raising Safe Kids" Parent Workshop Scheduled For June 12
Assistant Superintendent Katherine Sullivan informed district officials and staff that the State Education Department has notified the school district that $10,000 has been awarded based on the successful competitive grant application submitted recently, entitled Child Abduction Prevention. "The Yello Dyno Method," a system of child protection scientifically based on the Nobel Prize-winning research of Dr. Roger Sperry and the research of Dr. Bruce Perry, will be the basis of information shared during assemblies and programming. Grant funds will be used to support staff development for teachers, purchase materials and supplies, offer student safety shows in each elementary building, as well as providing a parent workshop.

All district parents and guardians are invited to participate in the parent workshop, "Raising Safe Kids" which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12 at Warren Street Elementary School. The workshop is aimed at teaching parents a non-fearful approach to teaching their children to protect themselves against the likes of abductors, sexual abusers, drug pushers, bullies, Internet stalkers and violent children. This is a free workshop, open to all district parents, guardians and staff members. It is requested that interested participants contact the District Office at 762-4611, ext. 101 to allow for appropriate seating.