Canton Community of Concern

What is the Community of Concern? The Canton Community of Concern is a partnership of parents, students, schools and the community, working together to keep our children safe and drug free. Our goal is to create awareness in the community concerning substance abuse and to work together collaboratively. We are asking the entire Canton Community to help us achieve this goal in the hope that we will be sending a clear message to our young people that we are all in this together. Community of Concern Booklets Parents with students in Grade 3, students in Middle School and parents of students new to the district will receive at Open House the Community of Concern booklet entitled "A Parent's Guide for the Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use." This booklet contains detailed information explaining what types of drugs we are dealing with today, scientific-based brain research as to what effects drugs and alcohol have on young people, the Canton Board of Education Substance Abuse Policy, a list of resources to go to for help, and information dealing with the legal consequences of drug abuse. If a parent is not able to attend Open House, the booklet will be mailed to them. Please go over these booklets with your child.		Teen Center The Youth Services Bureau is sponsoring a Teen Center, "The Cave" at the Collinsville Congregational Church Friday nights, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Grades 9-12 Saturday nights, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Grades 7-8 Substance Abuse Council / COC Meeting Dates 2013 Meetings are held in the Community Center at 5:00 p.m. January 14, 2013 February 11, 2013 March 11, 2013 April 8, 2013 May 13, 2013 June 10, 2013 July 8, 2013 August 12, 2013 September 9, 2013 October 2, 2013 November 5, 2013 December 9, 2013 Substance Abuse Council / Community of Concern meetings meet together with the Youth Services Bureau
			Canton Parent Program on Underage Drinking A community conversation about the dangers of underage drinking. Click here to view PowerPoint presentation. Upcoming Event! "Parents 4 A Change" Meeting April 23, 2013 Please arrive between 6:00 and 6:20 p.m. Meeting begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. Derynoski Elementary School Cafeteria 240 Main St., Southington
	Not in My House: What Parents Can Do About Teen Prescription Drug Abuse www.notinmyhouse.com is a website which offers insight on talking about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and abuse with teens. Click here to go to website		"Parents 4 A Change," is a group that addresses such issues as teen opiate/prescription drug and heroin addiction. Click here to go to the Parents 4 A Change website to learn more.
	Family Safety Contract Click to open contract. Drug & Alcohol Student Survey Click here to go to survey results page.		Help Reduce the Misuse and Abuse of Prescription Drugs in Connecticut Click to open information from the Connecticut Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force.

Sam Collins Day 2010 The following students worked at the Sam Collins Day Substance Abuse Council/COC Booth: Christina Cardwell Simon Ciccarello Leigha Emerson Wolfgang Gassmann Stephanie Gauthier Caitlin Haendiges Miranda Jurras Kailynn Maloy Jillian Miller Suzi Rush Brooke Schomburg Rebecca Szpekman
	Students working at Sam Collins Day - Substance Abuse Council / Community of Concern Booth.

Susan Saidel Receives Award

The Capitol Area Substance Abuse Council (CASAC) recently awarded Susan Eisner-Saidel the Community Educator Award for her work with the Canton Community of Concern / Substance Abuse Council.

The awards' ceremony, with approximately 200 people in attendance, was held at the Gray Conference Center at the University of Hartford. Kevin Case, Superintendent of Canton Schools, presented her with the award.

Photo: (left-right)
Superintendent Kevin Case, former Assistant Superintendent Lynn McMullin,
Susan Saidel, Canton Middle School Principal Joseph Scheideler.

Community of Concern Float in 2008 Alumni Parade

Community of Concern Float in Alumni Parade Student float makers: Kailynn Maloy, Nikki Liucci, Kristee Bisson Twin Landscaping donated the truck for the float.	Students in the Alumni Parade Kailynn Maloy, Vivian Perge, Crystal Diana, Katelyn Birge

How to Become a Partner in the Community of Concern?

If you would like to become a partner in the Canton Community of Concern, kindly let us know. We are open to any ideas, and we would welcome your attendance at our meetings, which are held on the second Monday of each month, beginning at 5 p.m., at the Canton Community Center. We would also appreciate your financial support.

Donations can be sent to:

Community of Concern
c/o Canton Board of Education
4 Market Street, Suite 100
Canton, CT 06019
Attention: Melanie Gibson

Please feel free to contact Sue Saidel at suesaidel@aol.com if you have any questions!

We are proud to have the following partners in the Canton Community of Concern
Canton Board of Education vv Canton Substance Abuse Council I Canton High School Canton Little League I Canton Middle School PTO ** Michael and Elizabeth Griffin * Matthew and Sue Saidel * Canton Youth Basketball I Mike D'Apice - Money Mindfulness * Susan and Edward Pepin Shane, Keegan, Tracy and Tony Toland Adams Supermarkets (Ed Garalis) Ben & Jerry's The Simsbury Bank Edward and Terri Trider Collinsville Savings Society The Millar Family	Cherry Brook Primary School PTO Canton Intermediate School PTO Canton Middle School PTO** The Motorlease Corporation* Canton Girl Scouts* Nancy and Herman Rosshirt* Triskelion Family Services* Susan and William Crowe* Joseph and Lori Mahler Edith and Edward Offenhartz Flatbread Canton Community Nursery School Frank J. Mairano & Associates* David Bristol Body Parts, LLC Sue Crawford The Dibella Family Michael and Laurie Meheran*
* Bronze Sponsor $100 to $249 I Gold Sponsor $500 to $999	** Silver Sponsor $250 to $499 vv Platinum Sponsor $1,000 or more

"Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world.
In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." ~ (Margaret Meade)

Return to Canton Schools district website.