New Diversion School Program Now in Place

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

There’s a new school year next week and a new diversion program to benefit students, the schools and families will be implemented.

Under the old method when a student is suspended for an offense in school they are sent home. If parents are  at work the student ends up with a little vacation.

Not anymore, the school principals, superintendent, chief of police, and CASA (Community Action for Safe Alternatives) have joined forces to being the suspension back into the school and the student will be able to receive support to work out any issues.

In the past, said Principal Matt Crombie, the schools have suspended about 20 students a year between the middle school and the high school population.

“There is no benefit to to the student or the system to send a student home,” Crombie said. “It’s like a vacation for the student and they’re missing their education.”

“In the past if a student is suspended they sometimes quit school,” Macero said.

“This dovetailed from the police juvenile diversion program,” said Police Chief Terence Delehanty. “Kids will be in class long.”

Crombie said the new system is meant to get at the root of the problem and get better help for the student. Middle School Principal Brian Curley agreed.

“There’s more support and resources,” Hurley said.

In addition students will get sent to CASA to talk to licensed social worker LeighAnn Eurzione, LICSW,

who is also a Community Liaison with CASA. CASA became involved because it was the organization that conducted the Youth Risk Survey a couple of years ago.

She said she will meet with families to see what’s needed.

“Kids act out for a reason and this can help them make better decisions,” Eruzione said.

“It’s a way to encourage the student and give them tools for support,” Delehanty said.

Superintendent of Schools John Macero said the program received a $250,000 from Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo.

“That money goes in a lot of directions,” Delehanty said, “including help funding a police officer and a youth center.”

He added that if there is an out of school offense the district attorney’s office will give a referral back to the town and to the diversion program.

“For a small town it’s pretty progressive,” Delehanty said.

Macro added that there is a new education law that even a suspended student must be educated. Students will stay in the diversion program for a year, do community service and get social and emotional support.

“With three different organizations working together it’s refreshing now to have great relationships with CASA and the police,” Crombie said.