With the approach of a new school year comes the resurgence of concerns over the safety of children in the classroom. Memories still linger of the tragedies across America which took place in 1998 and 1999 when students violently acted out against teachers and fellow students.

Syosset Central School District Superintendent Carole Hankin, deeply concerned by America's rash of school-age violence, recognized the need for a program which identifies troubled children. Shortly after the tragedy at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, Hankin approached State Senator Carl Marcellino, requesting the funding of such a program for the district.

This week came the announcement that Marcellino has secured an $80,000 New York State legislative grant to allow the school district to develop the pilot program. "I felt their proposal was a good one and requested that an $80,000 Line Item for the District be added to the 1999-2000 New York State Budget," said Marcellino, "Which is exactly what happened."

Hankin explained that the new program will branch off from Syosset's already-existing Peer Leaders program, which trains high school students how to interact and communicate with kids their age and younger.

In the past, peer leaders have been trained to talk with other kids about issues such as drug abuse and AIDS. This program will be unique in that the peer leaders - all ninth and 10th-graders, said Hankin - will be taught to identify and communicate with elementary-age children who are socially dysfunctional and feel alienated.

Hankin said that peer leaders will be on the lookout for "loners, students who aren't participating in activities or whose teachers have identified them as having problems." It is widely believed that the two students who shot and killed their classmates at Columbine High School were loners who felt alienated from their peers.

The peer leaders will work with elementary school psychologists in setting up small group and classroom settings, where young children can verbalize concerns about their relationships with other students and their personal safety.

Hankin's hope is that through early intervention, young at-risk students can shed their feelings of alienation and hostility, and improve their social skills and develop friendships. "We feel this could be a model program for school districts everywhere," said Hankin. "The potential is enormous.

"The Syosset [school] district is taking a proactive approach to school safety, an issue which is of concern to every school in the country," said Hankin. "Not only will a successful pilot program benefit the children of Syosset, but it can provide an effective model for schools throughout the nation to replicate.

"We are truly grateful to Senator Marcellino for his generous support and his commitment to the welfare and safety of Syosset's students," added Hankin, who also thanked the board of education for voting in favor of the program.

"I am pleased to be able to work with Dr. Hankin on this worthwhile endeavor," said Marcellino. "The sooner we can identify children who are at risk for violent behavior, the sooner we can reach out to them and offer the support they will need for successful and violence-free lives."

Hankin explained that the $80,000 will go toward a new health teacher who will lead the program, training tools, guest speakers and miscellaneous expenses. Hankin said the program is still in its preliminary stages, and will continue to evolve.