By Nancy Kriz
CENTRAL VALLEY — Close to 300 people gathered to watch the unveiling of Monroe-Woodbury High School’s M-W CARES brick walkway this past Wednesday, the first observable and permanent display of the district’s commitment to character education focusing on the tenets of compassion, acceptance, respect, empowerment and success, or CARES.
M-W CARES Day – which will take place Friday, Oct. 26 - is believed to be the largest character education program hosted by any Hudson Valley school district and will focus on those principles.
M-W CARES Day officials said $30,000 was raised from the initial sales of engraved bricks, which brings fund-raising efforts even closer to the $125,000 needed to cover costs for the day.
Because of the high volume of inquiries by those who wanted to buy an engraved brick after the deadline passed, officials announced an additional opportunity to buy bricks through Sept. 14.
The first 226 engraved bricks“This brick walkway will forever be a part of Monroe-Woodbury’s history,” said Superintendent Elsie Rodriguez during a reception honoring those who purchased the initial 226 engraved bricks for the walkway, adding M-W CARES Day will be an additional way for students to grow emotionally and socially during their academic careers.
“Today represents the first part of the reality of our vision for M-W CARES Day,” added Principal John Kaste, during remarks where he thanked the many different groups who have been working for almost a year on the forthcoming event.
The day will feature assemblies and workshops presented by more than 100 national, regional and local speakers whose personal stories of overcoming obstacles and achieving success will change the lives of all who attend, according to organizers.
Oct. 26 programThe day’s overall encompassing theme is to reinforce the CARES tenets in an ever-changing world where it can be difficult for young people to find their way.
Regular classes will not be held that day. Instead, students will pre-select workshops to attend - similar in concept to attending a national conference - in addition to hearing from nationally known keynote speakers.
The day falls on the last day of the district’s Red Ribbon Week, an alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed nationally and annually by school districts in October.
“We all know in today’s day and age that schooling is more than just about academics,” said Assemblyman James Skoufis, a member of the M-W Class of 2005 who recently secured a $25,000 state grant for the day, during the reception. “It’s about well-rounded students. And for those with struggles, they’re not alone. I hope this becomes a regular mainstay at Monroe-Woodbury for years to come.”
Kaste and M-W CARES Chair Dawn Tauber - who was elected to the Monroe-Woodbury Board of Education this past May - unveiled the walkway with student assistance as the crowd waited to locate the engraved bricks they purchased.
Messages of hopeThere were messages of hope, motivation and general messages of inspiration along with names of families who spotlighted their children and their years of graduation.
And there were many engraved messages of remembrance.
Red roses were placed on two different bricks by loved ones who wanted to leave a sign they were physically onsite to see the engraved message honoring the person they lost.
“This walkway," Tauber said, "is a special part of the overarching message of M-W CARES Day."