On Thursday, Jan. 11, parents of sixth, seventh and eighth graders in the Floral Park community were invited to a dialogue with the clinicians of Floral Park Memorial High School and the Floral Park Bellerose School District.

The program, sponsored in conjunction with the Village of Floral Park Substance Prevention Education Council, was developed jointly by village and school professionals to facilitate open discussion regarding the challenges faced by the middle school-aged youngsters of Floral Park.

Terry Whalen, chairperson of the Village of Floral Park Substance Prevention Education Council, welcomed the parents and spoke briefly about the mission of the council. Samine Charles, Pupil Personnel Services chairperson at Floral Park Memorial, provided an overview of the evening and introduced the panelists. An expert panel comprised of helping professionals in the district included Dr. Caryl Oris, Sewanhaka Central High School District psychiatrist, Dr. John Heverin, Floral Park Memorial psychologist, Dr. Michael Reilly, John Lewis Childs School psychologist, Christine Plackis, Floral Park Memorial social worker and Jane Helfman, Floral Park/Bellerose District social worker.

The panelists addressed the parents regarding "risky behavior," "anxiety and stress management," "Internet safety," "substance abuse dangers" and "parenting then and now." Following these brief presentations, parents not only had the opportunity to ask questions, but shared personal stories and concerns for their "middlers" and were a valuable source of support for each other as well as active participants with the panel.

The evening was well-received by the community and interest was generated in future programs. Special thanks are extended to the Village of Floral Park Substance Prevention Education Council, Dr. Lynn Pombonyo, Floral Park/Bellerose superintendent of schools, Regina Agrusa, Sewanhaka Central High School District Pupil Personnel Services director, Kathleen Sottile, Floral Park Memorial principal, and Maureen Henry, Floral Park Memorial assistant principal, for all of their efforts in making this important evening a wonderful success.