Retiring Superintendent To Lead 'Say No To Drugs' March

RIVERHEAD, NY — The Riverhead community will continue its ongoing mission to imbue young people with choices and alternatives, giving them the power to "just say no" to drugs and alcohol, as the Riverhead Community Awareness Program, Inc., or CAP, sponsors its 32nd Annual "Say No to Drugs March" on Friday.

Retiring Riverhead School District superintendent Nancy Carney will be the honored guest at this year’s march.

The 32nd Annual "Say No to Drugs March" begins at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, in front of the Pulaski Street School, heads south on Roanoke Avenue, then west on 2nd Street, returning to Pulaski Street School via Griffing and Hallett Avenues.

Following the march, there will be a brief ceremony on the steps of Pulaski Street School in which Carney will address the students and community along with New York State Senator Ken LaValle, New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, and the Riverhead town board.

After the ceremony, the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1742 will once again serve a picnic lunch to all students.

Carney has served the district as superintendent since 2010; prior to that she served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for five years.

Throughout her time in Riverhead, "Carney has worked to foster and sustain positive, collaborative relationships between the district and the entire community. Every day she has sought to provide students with a learning environment to prepare them for the future. She says she is proud of the work that has been completed to revitalize the district’s buildings and ground with the passage of the 2011 capital bond," a release from the district said.

Carney added, “I’m honored to participate as speaker at this year’s CAP march. I’m appreciative of the program and the opportunity for our students to learn to make good choices.”

Since 1983, the Riverhead Community Awareness Program, Inc., a nonprofit organization, has been providing drug and alcohol prevention, education and counseling programs for the Riverhead Central School District.

CAP is known for its two-year prevention program serving over 800 fifth and sixth graders in the Pulaski Street School each year.

The Life Skills program, taught by community volunteers and student peer leaders, concludes with the annual "Say No to Drugs March."

Although the goal of the program is to prevent and delay underage drinking and drug use in youth, its foundation is rooted in building self-esteem, and increasing healthy decision-making skills, CAP representatives said.

Several teachers at Pulaski Street School recommended that Carney lead this year’s march, and Pulaski Principal Dave Densieski agreed.

“Ms. Carney has lead the district through some of the toughest transitions in our educational system over the last 50 years,” he said. “In this time, she has seen us through a major construction project, built fiscally responsible budgets and oversaw a K-12 curriculum alignment. This is the legacy she leaves behind which allows those remaining to continue to build a great educational program for all of our students.”

Carney, who will be retiring this summer, said she appreciates the strength of the Riverhead community to work together to overcome challenges. “The people and kids are amazing,” she said. “I feel blessed and privileged to be here for the past 12 years.”