VMAC provides funding for assemblies district-wide. These programs have dealt with issues affecting all students. Programs have targeted bullying, personal choices, and internet safety. VMAC funds the purchase of character education/drug and alcohol prevention materials for all Verona school libraries. In addition, VMAC funds specific programs targeted to each school.
Elementary Schools
- PeacePals This program is approved by the Verona Board of Education as the district's character education program. VMAC sponsored the costs of training teachers and the related materials. PeacePals targets Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grade. The older children lead the younger children in activities designed to foster greater competence in handling day-to-day dilemmas and creating a stronger sense of community. Kindness, cooperation and communication are emphasized. Younger children gain confidence from connecting with older students and older students learn leadership skills.
H.B. Whitehorne Middle School
- 5th Grade Orientation VMAC provides funding for the annual overnight trip at Camp Bernie bringing HBW 5th graders together to build self-confidence and team-building.
- ATOD Handbooks VMAC underwrites the cost of the handbooks that are provided to each HBW student with school policies, guidelines for character-building and information on organization for good school management.
- DARE VMAC provides funding for the materials used in the school-wide DARE programs. DARE teaches self-esteem and refusal skills as well as drug information to 5th and 7th graders.
Dare Coordinators: Sgt. Daniel Greco, Ofr. James Barry, Ofr. Joel Martin and Ofr. Bob Shafer
- Dream Team (Daring to Reach out to Each other And Make a difference) is a community-based service club. Team members learn and practice leadership skills under the guidance of advisors. The students plan and participate in community service projects, drug free and violence awareness activities as well serve as positive role models for the school community.
Advisors: Debbie Marsano and Meredith Bielen.
- Red Ribbon Week is a national drug prevention campaign. It generally takes place during the last week of October to celebrate the many reasons and ways to stay drug-free. The students participate in contests and programs that highlight ways to say no to drugs and practice refusal skills.
Advisor: Debbie Marsano
- Girl Power / The BEST (Best I Can Be) Club focuses on increasing self-esteem. Activities include helping others, raising money for various causes, learning about proper skin care and hygiene, personal fitness classes, learning about health and food preparation and discussing and fostering friendships. Strong self-esteem aids young people in resisting drug and alcohol use to feel better. Advisors: Lindsey Lagan and Stefanie Lijoi.
Our Lady of the Lake
- 5th Grade Environmental Trip - VMAC provides funding for the annual overnight trip for OLL 5th graders to the Fairview Lake YMCA Camp. The students learn the importance of protecting the environment, self-awareness and the benefits of healthy living, while practicing group decision making and team building.
- Youth Council is an annual leadership program at the Verona Ropes Course. The Youth Council has trained with Project VISTA for over ten years to start off their program each year. The group has used both VMAC ropes course and portable trainings to assist teens in developing the necessary skills to be leaders by working toward individual and team goals.
Advisor: John Grund, LCSW, SAC
Verona High School
- ATOD Handbooks VMAC underwrites the cost of the handbooks that are provided to each VHS student with school policies, guidelines for character-building and information on organization for good school management.
- Heroes and Cool Kids is a program that utilizes the services of current and former professional athletes whose personal life experiences enable them to train high school student leaders to mentor middle school students on important life skills. These life skills include sportmanship, conflict resolution and positive lifestyle choices, highlighting drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention. VHS students are chosen by application for training and make three site visits to fifth grade classes at HB Whitehorne Middle School. Advisors: Trish Hemsley-Cartotto, Angela Salisbury, Chris Demond, Sebastian Powell and Dana Lustig.
- Peer Leadership is a VHS senior elective in which students are selected through application to lead weekly discussions with small groups of freshmen to ease the social and academic transition from middle school. VMAC sponsors off-site training in the fall. Peer Leadership is part of the school day for its participants.
Advisors: Dana Lustig LSW, SAC and Angela Salisbury. Click here to read an update on the Peer Leadership program by Dana Lustig.
- Project Graduation VMAC makes a yearly donation towards the costs of the drug-free party provided to the graduating class so that their celebration is alcohol and drug free, safe and fun. In addition, VMAC sponsors the after-graduation social for parents and guests before the students leave for Project Graduation.
- STARS (Students Teaching Alternative Resources) theme is living and teaching wellness. Students participate in training programs based on alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention education to build leadership skills and denounce peer pressure. STARS members visit 4th grade classrooms at the elementary schools and talk to students about transitioning to middle school. Advisors: Sebastian Powell, Chris Tamburro.
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