the ridge bridge - Ridge PTO

RIDGE PTO
letter from
the presidents
The holiday season is fast approaching,
with all its joys and family get-togethers.
Many times, however, preparation for
all that togetherness can bring incredible
stresses to both parents and children.
Reaching Out To Parents
This past month the population of Bernards
Township was treated to two unique and
wonderful presentations aimed at helping
ease the way through some of the difficulties
presented by raising the adolescent
child.
On October 28, the Bernards Township
Municipal Alliance presented Matt
Bellace, PhD, and his program, Parents,
Teens, Alcohol, and Drugs. This presentation
was the kick-off
event of the Municipal
Alliance’s “It’s 21 For
a Reason” campaign,
a township-wide effort
to educate teens and
their parents about the dangers of youth
drinking. Matt engaged both the older and
younger participants in his quest to guide
Ridge PTO Board Members
Co-Presidents
Sarah Bonnefoi
Tracey Tuthill
1st Vice President, Volunteers
Sharon Power
2nd Vice President, Programs
Carol Jean Floegel
3rd Vice President, Newsletter
Gayle Shimoun
Linda Wooldridge
Treasurer
Aninda Katragadda
Recording Secretary
Ritu Namdev
Communication Officers
Kris Leopold
Amy Venetianer
parents and have students pursue natural,
as opposed to chemical, highs. Matt
stressed the importance of creating a
support system to help adolescents when
faced with difficult decisions.
On November 10, the PTOs of Ridge
and William Annin brought Dr. Michael
Bradley, a well-known adolescent psychologist,
to the PAC for a very information
presentation based on his book,
Yes, Your Teen is Crazy. He discussed
everything from the actual structure of the
teenage brain, to the cultural influences on
teenagers, to how exactly parents should
interact with a raging child. This funny,
scary and thought-provoking session provided
statistics on today’s youth that had
much of the audience gasping. He gave
numerous practical examples of what to
do during everyday interactions with
teens, how to explore cultural references
that the teens are privy to, and how to
empower them so that they take responsibility
for their decisions. Dr. Bradley’s Ten
Commandments of Parenting handout is
available on the Ridge PTO website.
Reaching Out To Students
Each fall, Michael Fowlin performs
You Don’t Know Me Until You Know Me
to the current freshman class. His presentation
is a one-person
show that deals with
the issues of race, discrimination,
violence
prevention, personal
identity, suicide,
2
Left: On November 10, a crowd of close to 300 attended
the presentation by psychologist Dr. Michael Bradley
held in the Ridge Performing Arts Center.
Above: Standing from left to right with Dr. Michael
Bradley, center, are Ridge PTO VP of Programs, Carol
Jean Flogel, Ridge PTO Co-President, Sarah Bonnefoi,
WAMS PTO VP of Fundraising, Christine Corrigan,
and Ridge PTO Co-President, Tracey Tuthill.
gender equity, homophobia, and the
emotional pain felt by special education
children. The characters he creates share
their stories in an often humorous but at
times heartbreaking manner.
In the spring, just in time for the proms,
juniors and seniors attend an assembly by
Project P.R.I.D.E. (Promoting Responsibility
in Drug Education), which brings
minimum custody offenders, escorted by
correction officers, to talk about their
personal experiences with drugs and
alcohol. The students have an opportunity
to hear real-life stories and to consider the
consequences of substance abuse. The program
is designed to reduce the appeal of
drugs and alcohol and to promote decisionmaking
skills.
It’s 21 For a Reason
The Municipal Alliance will be continuing
the It’s 21 For a Reason campaign
throughout the school year in an effort to
continue providing support to parents as
they face this difficult issue. The PTOs of
Ridge and William Annin are collaborating
with the Municipal Alliance to bring this
important message to our community in
a presentation held on February 2, 2011.
Details will be posted on the Ridge website
as well as through the respective PTOs.
We hope that these efforts have been
beneficial, and we wish you a safe and
healthy winter season.
Warm Regards,
Sarah and Tracey