Our Mission
Pleasantville STRONG is a federally funded Drug Free Community Coalition whose mission is to promote Prevention and Healthy Mental and Physical Behaviors for youth in our community by reducing underage drug use and other risk factors
Staff
Filomena Valente- Coalition Coordinator
Megan Perry- Social Media Coordinator
Steering Committee Members
Shane McGaffey- Media Liaison; Former President School Board
Dr. Tina DeSa- Superintendent
Joseph Palumbo- High School Principal
Dr. Adam Chagares- Middle School Principal
Rachel Hunger- Bedford Road School Principal
Mary Ann Flatley, LMHC- K-12 SEL Counselor
Dan Iorio- Athletic Director
Chief Erik Grutzner- Pleasantville Police Department
Detective James Chiarlitti- Pleasantville Youth Officer
Danielle Kaley-Parent
Jason Schoolsky- Student Assistant Services Counselor
Get to Know SAS Counselor Jason Schoolsky
It was a weekday in December and for National Drunk Driving Impaired Prevention Month, Jason Schoolsky was once again working with the high school students in the cafeteria. Today’s activity involved students attempting to shoot a ping pong ball into a board with rings while wearing drunk/marijuana goggles. As expected, most of the students missed and realized if they can’t put a ping pong ball into a ring from 6 inches away while under the influence, how are they supposed to operate a motor vehicle?
As the Student Assistance Counselor in Pleasantville Middle and High School, Jason’s job is to provide students with substance use prevention and early intervention services and he loves his job.
“I have two favorite things about my job. The first is that I get to work with students every day. I love working with them, hearing about what’s going on in their lives, and how I can help. The second thing that I love about my job is the joy and satisfaction I get from helping others,” Jason said.
Jason is wrapping up his first year in Pleasantville and we had a chance to speak to him about his role in the schools, what has been his favorite part of the job and what he plans for the upcoming year.
Describe your role as an SAS counselor in Pleasantville?
As the Student Assistance Counselor in Pleasantville Middle and High School, I provide students with substance use prevention and early intervention services. My work with students and families focuses on 5 primary components:
- Individual and Group Counseling sessions that can revolve around any number of topics, including but not limited to substance use, academic challenges, relationships problems, etc. One thing that is unique about the counseling I provide is that it is all confidential, meaning that if students or parents don’t want the information to be shared, then it remains between us.
- Prevention Education is an evidence-based curriculum that teaches students about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and how the use of substances can impact their development as teenagers and relationships with friends and families, and healthy vs. unhealthy coping mechanisms. I push into the health classes in both the high school and middle school for about a week to run this program with students.
- As the Student Assistance Counselor, I work for a non-profit organization called Student Assistance Services which has counselors like myself in schools all throughout Westchester County. One of the benefits of this is the connections we have to many different areas within the county. These connections allow me to be able to provide students, parents, and families with referrals to all different types of mental health related services throughout the county. If you are ever looking for treatment, feel free to reach out.
- I speak with parents about how to be collaborative partners to support their children. Although the counseling services I provide are confidential, I feel that the best way to support students is to have a team helping them, which is why I always try and get permission to speak and work with parents.
- The last responsibility of my role is doing school wide prevention activities for the prevention theme of the month. Every month has a different them regarding substance prevention (e.g, April is Alcohol Awareness month), so each month I run a different school-wide activity or push into classrooms to highlight the theme of the month.
How long have you been working in Pleasantville schools?
This has been my first year working in Pleasantville schools, and I couldn’t have asked for a better year! All the students, staff, and Pleasantville parents and community members have been a treat to work with, making me feel as if I’ve been working here for years.
What did you study in school?
I completed my undergraduate in Psychology from SUNY Buffalo and completed my master’s in social work from CUNY Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work.
What made you want to do this job?
I’ve always had an affinity for working with adolescents, as much of my teenage years I spent working at after school programs, babysitting, and day camps over the summer. When I first went to college, I had no idea what I wanted to do but knew that I wanted to work in some capacity with children. After taking an Intro to Psych class during my first semester of college, I immediately fell in love and knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. As my studies progressed, I also became fascinated with the impact that substance use had on mental health. Learning that individuals who start using substances at an earlier age increases their risk of developing an addiction later in life brought everything together for me. I knew then that going into the substance prevention and intervention field to work with adolescents would be the perfect place for me.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I have two favorite things about my job. The first is that I get to work with students every day. I love working with them, hearing about what’s going on in their lives, and how I can help. The second thing that I love about my job is the joy and satisfaction I get from helping others. In social work and especially the substance prevention field, it’s always important to work from a strength perspective, meaning finding what someone is good at and building on that strength. For me, there is no greater satisfaction than helping someone who isn’t able to recognize their own strengths, building upon them, and looking back at the resiliency and struggles they’ve overcome.
Describe some programs and activities you’ve done with the students
This year, I’ve done a lot of different programs and activities with the students in different ways. Each month has a different prevention theme, which the programs or activities would revolve around. For example, April is Alcohol Awareness Month, meant to spread awareness regarding the short- and long-term impacts of alcohol use and abuse. On one of the nicer days of the month, I handed out sunglasses to students during lunch in the front circle with the message “Don’t Let Alcohol Cloud Your Vision,” reinforcing to students the importance of remaining alcohol free. Another one of my favorite activities that we did this year in high school came during December, which is National Drunk and Driving Impaired Prevention Month. At a table in the cafeteria during lunch periods, students attempted to shoot a ping pong ball into a board with rings while wearing drunk/marijuana goggles. Most students missed and realized if they can’t put a ping pong ball into a ring from 6 inches away while under the influence, how are they supposed to operate a motor vehicle? One activity I enjoyed doing in middle school was during May for Mental Health Awareness Month when we provided students with rocks and had them decorate them with positive, uplifting messages. This came on the heels of Upstander’s Week when they learned the importance of going out of their way to support others. Since the week prior, students learned about how important it is to be active and not a bystander, it was great to see the students put that to use by coming up with creative messages/designs to provide someone a lift who might be having a tough day, week, month, etc.
What plans do you have for the upcoming school year?
Next year we are going to continue many of the activities that students enjoyed and did a good job of providing them with information about the dangers of substance use and misuse. Some examples include using fake snowballs to write down their methods of coping with stress to help stop stress from “snowballing out of control” during midterms and holiday season, the rock decorating during Mental Health Awareness month, and celebrating Red Ribbon Week with various activities. I’m also planning on some new and exciting things that I think many students will enjoy, especially during Wellness Week. You’ll have to stay tuned to find out!
What advice do you have for students in middle and high school?
There are two pieces of advice I’d give to students in middle and high school. The first is to enjoy it as much as you can, because it does go by fast. One minute you’re at freshman orientation and the next thing you know, you’re taking pictures in the front circle for senior prom. The second piece of advice is to always ask for help. In my short time here in Pleasantville, I’ve been amazed at the culture regarding mental health that has been built. So many students and people are willing to have open, honest conversations about their own mental health and what they may be struggling with. I know that sometimes it can be scary to be open with someone, especially when you’re struggling, but the environment that has been created here is one where it’s cool to talk about your mental health. It’s important to remember that there are so many people within this community that want to help but the first way to get help is to ask. Whether it’s asking for help for yourself, a friend, or family member, there are so many people who can provide support.
If you would like to join the conversation, share and idea or sign up for the newsletter, please email: pvillestrong@pleasantville-ny.gov. Our committee meets on the First Wednesday of the month.