STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The NYPD’s School Safety Division Community Outreach Unit is bringing a special high school initiative to the borough, which uses music, dance and education to empower students by helping them reduce verbal and physical violence in schools.
The “My School Has Rhythm Not Violence” program, which has been going on citywide for quite some time, has finally reached Staten Island.
NYPD School Safety agents Sgt. Carolyn McMillan and Sgt. Jeanyne Blackwell are the organizers of the event and want to give the kids a voice, as well as educate them to make good decisions in their life by being aware of violence and drug use.
“It’s all about them giving back to their community and their school on the message that violence has to stop and how to do it creatively,” McMillan said.
The event is not only a means for kids to collaborate in a positive way, but is for families and friends too, and provides everyone with resources the night of the finale.
“In the midst of them competing with each other, we showcase talented kids on Staten Island that are doing positive things and everyone has a message that night through their talent,” McMillan said.
The high schoolers from the Island will incorporate their completed curriculum with music and performance and use those teachings as a guidebook in and out of the classroom.
“One of the things that the program also does is giving kids tools to use when they are dealing with conflict and any violence that is going on in school as well as the community,” Blackwell said. “When we come in and we teach them about different lessons about the law, they could use those tools and utilize them.”
Two seniors at New Dorp High School showed how passionate they are about what the program does for them.
Nick Behan learned a lot more about gun violence and bullying than he ever did before and realizes that it’s important to keep educating yourself on these topics to better understand one another.
“There’s a lot more going on out there than what we think. Even though it’s just a performance, you can spread a message with your talent that way,” he said. “It teaches kids that you could spread a message not by just talking, you can also do it by using your talent and going on stage and performing in front of people.”
Anna Adams spoke about how some students show how they feel through this program in ways many wouldn’t know about unless they saw for themselves.
“This program is amazing because students get to express who they are and their stories and everyone knows their personal story,” she said.
Participating schools that will be competing include Port Richmond High School, New Dorp High School, Curtis High School and Susan E. Wagner High School.
Fifty students will be narrowed down to 12 in the coming weeks and perform in the finale at the St. George Theatre. All participating students will walk away a winner with trophies and a plaque for their school and the finalists will receive a cash prize.
The finale is set for Thursday, April 18, and is free and open to the public.
Doors open at 5 p.m., and the show starts at 6.
Contributors of the event include Municipal Credit Union, WBLS radio station, WGHT radio station, United Federation of Teachers, New York City Police Foundation and the Teamsters Local 237.