Thanks to Blue Hills Regional Technical School for sharing this news with Westwood Minute.
After being discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Teen Speak Out program - a forum for students to engage in structured conversations that can help foster dialogue and mutual respect - is returning to the Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton, announced Superintendent-Director Jill Rossetti and Principal Geoffrey Zini.
Teen Speak Out provides students with a forum to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds and engage in structured conversations about issues that matter to them personally and collectively within the school's culture. The program was first held during the 2017-18 school year, and it has consistently received positive feedback from teachers, counselors, and students, according to the school.
"When students have a platform to share their voices and experiences, it helps us as educators to create a school culture that truly supports them," said Superintendent-Director Jill Rossetti.
This school year, a team of 22 student facilitators made up of sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have been recommended by teachers and counselors, have engaged in trainings to lead discussions at a culminating event on April 8th. On that date, the student facilitators will guide roughly 80 to 100 of their peers in small-group discussions. Student facilitators will each spend a full school day in a diverse group of eight to 10 of their peers. In addition to training their peers, the student facilitators will present the most effective practices for fostering respectful and meaningful dialogue to Blue Hills Regional Technical School teachers.
Blue Hills Adjustment Counselor Jeremy Fischer, program coordinator, noted that outside of Teen Speak Out, the students otherwise may never interact with each other on the important topics being discussed.
Teen Speak Out student participants have expressed feeling empowered by the experience.
“Teen Speak Out has helped me find the leader in me.” said one student, Deborah Montiero.
“Teen Speak Out taught me that my voice can make an impact," said another student, Chip Bruin.
“Teen Speak Out allows us to cultivate a school environment where students feel heard and understood," said Principal Zini. "By equipping student facilitators with the skills to lead these conversations, we’re empowering them to be leaders who promote empathy and inclusivity among their peers."
The planning board has considered and held public hearings on the 25mph speed limit idea since at least 2018; it is not new, just something the police department opposes because they don't believe it will be effective at reducing speeds. Select board defers to police.
Sunny, with a high of 36 and low of 24 degrees. Sunny during the morning, clear for the afternoon and evening,
Thank you for posting such a useful and helpful article so residents can clearly understand this law.
Appreciate the positive feedback, Brandon. Happy to help build an informed community!
This article makes no sense. Present tense descriptions regarding a grant from twenty years ago seem completely inappropriate.
Thank you for
noting the typo, which has been corrected.
31° and Clear