Smokers who keep on puffing at athletic and other extra-curricular events will soon receive gentle reminders to stub their cigarettes out.
The recently discussed the need to limit adult smoking on campus. Scott Alfano, a teacher at Central Regional High School, broached the subject at the Sept. 15 board meeting.
“The problem is we tell kids smoking is bad and then they see parents smoking,” Alfano told the board.
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He said that puts Central Regional teachers in a difficult spot, since they are tempted to say something, but don't want to get into a verbal dispute with a parent.
Board president Keith Buscio noted the no-smoking signs at Ocean County College are very prominent. Buscio said he thought a similar set-up could benefit the school district.
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Schools Superintendent Triantafillos "Tom" Parlapanides said it is now state law that all public school campuses in New Jersey are non-smoking.
Buscio suggested having the announcer remind guests of the new law prior to the start of all sporting events on campus. Signs would also help, since the public might not be aware of the new law, he said.
“At some events we get grandparents, who don’t visit the school regularly, only for special events," Buscio said. "They just don’t know, so a sign could help.”
In other business, board Vice-President Denise Pavone-Wilson reported on a recent meeting of the eight students who make up the high school's class presidents and vice presidents and the board’s student activities committee to get feedback from the students at the start of the new school year.
She said the students were impressed with recent improvements at the high school over the summer. But they also wanted to discuss mobilizing high school seniors who are of age to vote on next year's district budget.
“It was an eye-opener for them," Pavone-Wilson said of the "They saw things that changed in the school as a direct result of budget cuts.”
Wilson also said the students are happy with a tutoring program the district is implementing this year. Teachers in certain subjects will be available after school to meet with them. The students also praised having numerous teachers available of tutoring days, so they could arrange multiple consecutive 10-minute "mini-sessions."
“They like that they will have a chance to go to a teacher and know the teacher will be there,” said Wilson.
Parlapanides added that as a result of student requests the high school will have a float contest among the four grade levels during Homecoming Spirit Week
“That is something to look forward to for homecoming,” said Parlapanides.
In other business, Parlapanides announced the receipt of a $4,000 donation to the district from teacher, Cathy Loughran. The funds were donated to the high school to be disbursed among the football team, drama club, Renaissance club, and Interact Club, as well as a $1,000 portion to be used as Parlapanides sees fit. Parlapanides said he was considering using those funds to aid the alumni foundation in a project to plant 250 trees on the high school campus.
The next meeting of the Central Regional Board of Education will be held on 7 p.m. on Oct. 20. Board members will honor those teachers who retired at the end of the last school year at the meeting.
