NEWS; CHOICES AT CENTEREACH HIGH SCHOOL (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

CENTEREACH, Jan. 8—Approximately 275 students came to school after hours for an evening of activity and social awareness Monday to take part in a night of recreation called “Choices” at Centereach High School.

The Brookhaven Committee for Better Choices, which lobbied for and received a $50,000 grant through State Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport), sponsored the rec night.

“The grant is to apply to anti-violence and substance abuse programs at all four secondary schools,” said Mark Anderson, co-chair of the committee, and member of the School Board. “Senator Flanagan is interested in helping the district.”

Students of Centereach High School were the only ones allowed to attend the evening activity, as students’ identification was checked at the entrance. Students were issued a wristband to ensure proper attendance tabulation.

Middle Country is not the only school district to have a recreational after-school program. “Sachem School District has a program like this [as well,]” said Ken Gutmann, the other co-chair of the committee, and principal of Oxhead Road Elementary.

The grant helped the committee pay for twelve counselors—teachers—to chaperone the event. In addition, three security guards and numerous adult volunteers were on hand, to ensure a safe environment for the students. “We are here to have students interact with faculty in a different way,” said Bruno Bernardino, a French teacher at the high school.

There was a larger meaning for the event for some. “We want to go back to a time when the school was the center of the community,” said Kim Tarpey, member of both the committee and the school board. “Not one incident has been reported during these rec nights.”

Co-directors Sandra Sardoni and Steven Restivo ran the event. “We are here to help organize, run and come up with activities,” said Ms. Sardoni, an art teacher at Dawnwood Middle School. “Our goal is for students to make better choices.”

Ms. Sardoni left literature on assorted topical information on a table for students to take and read, including pamphlets on defensive driving, date rape, drinking and drug abuse. “We want to help all students learn about different things,” she said.

Students attending had a large choice of activities. There were ping-pong tables, hackey sack circles, a cosmetology center, Dance Dance Revolution and other video games, refreshments and a deejay, as well as basketball and volleyball in the gym. Many students chose to dance to the eclectic music from the deejay, and even more witnessed the break dancing of Centereach High School Guidance Counselor Rick Rivera.

Students said they had a good time. “I came to have fun,” said Mikaela Melendez, 14. “I danced, played basketball and volleyball, and I am going to play some ping pong.”

Most heard about the event during morning announcements, but others heard via word of mouth. “I heard about it from a friend,” said Melendez.

James Smith, 15, heard during about the evening event during the morning announcements. He said he enjoyed himself and “would come back if it is held again.”

Others came to escape boredom. “We had nothing better to do,” said Katie Anzalone, 15.

Students did not pay too much attention to the informational literature, but a few snatched the booklets on safe driving. Nearly all students said they were not going to take or look at the pamphlets available to them.