Par-Troy High Schoolers Meet for Leadership Retreat

Students from both of Parsippany's high schools are meeting at Parsippany Hills High School for the two-day Student Leadership Retreat. The goal of the event, say organizers, is to show young people that they can work together to stop bullying and make safer, stronger schools.

Parsippany Hills Principal Nancy Gigante said that the approximately 200 attendees were recommended as student leaders for the conference by teachers, coaches and staff.

The gathering dovetails with the recently passed state law, the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights. This new statute requires most public school teachers, administrators and staff members to receive training on how to identify bullying. Additionally, school districts must form a "safety team" to deal with reports of harassment, intimidation and bias. The state Department of Education, under the law, will grade districts on their success in reducing bullying and levy consequences for administrators who do not comply. 

"We'll discuss how to make schools safer and better," she said. "We'll talk a lot about bullying, as we always do. With the new law, it's the perfect time. We will also talk about community service with the idea of making better citizens and better schools."

The event, now in its fourth year, kicked off Wednesday morning with a welcome from Superintendent LeRoy Seitz.

"I've been working with students for some 40 years now," he said, "and I have seen time and time again how one student who comes up with an idea and  shares it can make a huge difference in the lives of many, many people.

"This year, we're focusing on service, on helping you become better leaders—and you're here because you are recognized as leaders in your school—and we also want to talk out bullying, harassment and intimidation."

Seitz noted that all of the teachers, administrators and school staffers were volunteering their time for the retreat.

"They're here because they believe in this program and, most importantly, because they believe in you," he told the students.
Board of Education member Gary Martin talked to the assembled young people about leadership.

"Leadership is the biggest part of you," he said, sharing bits of information about the leaders he admires most: the writer Voltaire, presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and pioneering King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley.

"Be yourself and give what you can of your time and energy," Martin advised the students. "Carve the wood the way you want it to be. You'll be a better leader and better individual."

Michael Levine, vice president of sales for Chelsea Senior Living and founder of the nonprofit service group Young Professionals with No Limits, delivered the keynote address. 

Levine shared stories of his good works, which include working with women's shelters, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the National Organization for Women, youth crisis centers, and anti-gang efforts.
He told the students that making a difference and stopping bullying start  with establishing common ground with others, no matter who they are or what their situation is.

"Parsippany has always been that school district that had that bond that a lot of other districts don't," Levine said. "You can form a common bond among everyone in every room."

It's all about taking the initiative, he said.

"No one introduces me to gangs. I walk in and find common ground and put myself on the same level as the person I'm speaking with," Levine offered. "Utilize your skills to help others. One person an make a difference."

Among the suggestions he gave the retreat-goers:

• Find what you're good at and leverage your strengths.
• Find a passion and become good at it.
• Find a mentor.
• Listen to others and show them respect.
• Find what interests you in the community and give time to it.
• Become the expert and teach others to find their strength.

And having no time is not a valid answer, Levine said.

"There are 168 hours in a week," he said. "With 40 hours for school and activities, 42 hours for sleep, 15 for extracurricular activities, 10 for homework and 20 for [leisure pursuits], that leaves 41 hours. You have plenty of time. Give one to three hours a week to give back to others and make Parsippany better than it already is."

Then Levine gave the student leaders a challenge. The young people were split into two groups that will come up with an area in which they will come up with a project to help the community and complete that project by Dec. 12.

"By December, you'll see: One person can touch thousands of people," he said.

As the Student Leadership Retreat continues through Wednesday and Thursday, the teens in attendance will deal with the issues of anti-bullying and community service in greater depth. 

The district's Director of Personnel Matthew McGrath said the ideas students and staffers will share—and the tangible plans they make for service projects—are what the retreat is all about.

"It's a proactive approach to brining kids together to let them know how important they are and the importance of student leadership," he said. "We have an amazing student body. We've brought kids together from both sides of town—this emphasizes that they can have tremendous impact on others, that they can defuse situations and make lives better.

"So many teachers and administrators are committed to the success of this program, and so are the students," he continued. "We are really proud of it."