Teach Children Today the Skills They Need For Tomorrow

A Letter To The Editor from Stoneham School Committee Candidate Cory Mashburn:

My wife Lisa and I moved to Stoneham in 2015 so that our children would grow up within a good school system and a community that they can call their own. So far, our experience in the Stoneham schools has been a positive one. In talking to teachers, fellow parents and community members, and attending School and Community meetings, it is clear that there are areas needing some attention from experienced professionals.

Children today face more complex challenges than they did 15-20 years ago. In my experience no challenge to our children is quite as significant as social and emotional health. This includes struggles with mental health, the prevalence of and pressure to engage in substance use, and the devastation created by bullying.
According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey completed by the Stoneham 9th through 12th graders:
■ 38 percent of students reported current alcohol use
■ 22 percent of students reported current electronic cigarette use
■ 24 percent of students reported current marijuana use
■ 12 percent of students reported being bullied on school property
■ 7 percent of students reported current cigarette use

The current survey needs to be enhanced to include more issues that are affecting Stoneham students. Enhancing the survey will give Stoneham Public Schools and the Town of Stoneham the ability to see what needs to be worked on to improve the lives of the Stoneham Youth.

Over the past 10 years, I have worked with the City of Somerville and the Somerville Public School System procuring funding, and designing and implementing prevention programming to address substance use, bullying, and mental health for youth. Through our partnerships and programming the school community has seen noticeable improvements. Since 2002, we have seen a 63 percent drop in current alcohol use, a 45 percent decrease in Marijuana use and decreases in both tobacco use (65 percent) and binge drinking (60 percent) among youth. Our efforts have included evidence-based curricula, training for youth and their families, and community-based awareness programs.

Stoneham youth and families could benefit from similar efforts. Trainings for students and parents to address substance use, bullying, and mental health can raise awareness and teach skills for coping with each of these subjects. An evidence-based health curriculum can equip students with tools for healthy decision-making from elementary age through to high school graduation. Most importantly, these programs should not only target the highest-risk ages, but include our very youngest school children. These are just a couple of areas in which Stoneham can start to address the challenges our youth face.

I believe my experience and expertise is exactly what the Stoneham School Committee needs
right now. I am an effective leader and community builder, and I know I can work with the committed members of the Committee and schools to work towards a healthier tomorrow for our children.

“It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I introduce the Stoneham Community to one of Somerville Public School’s most avid advocates for students regarding student safety and prevention efforts. Cory Mashburn has led multiple initiatives in Bullying Prevention & Intervention and Cyber-Safety Education for both students and families; and has been both an innovator and catalyst in the City of Somerville’s efforts with alcohol, marijuana and opiate prevention. It is my pleasure to fully endorse Cory Mashburn as a Stoneham School Committee person as an agent of change in ensuring the safe access for all students to Stoneham’s strong educational opportunities.”

- Richard Melillo (Director of Student Services, Somerville Public Schools)

If you have any questions or would like to know more about me, please call me (910-352- 1253) or e-mail me at corymashburn4stoneham@gmail.com and I would be happy to discuss more issues with you surrounding Stoneham Schools. Also please visit my website at www.corymashburn.com or my FaceBook page at Cory Mashburn for Stoneham School Committee. Both include more information about me and top priorities surrounding Stoneham Schools.