Youth Service Advisory Board Minutes

SIMSBURY YOUTH SERVICE ADVISORY BOARD
MINUTES
October 18, 2021

On October 18, 2021, the Simsbury Youth Services Advisory Board met via Zoom and livestreamed on Facebook. 

Present: Rachael Loveland, Kristen Formanek, Jovin Girard, Tom Tyburski, Kim Lawlor, Mary Richardson, Kyla Lorden

Roll call was held. Pledge of Allegiance was completed & meeting was called to order at 2:20 PM. 

Teen Librarian Mary Richardson introduced herself to the YAB, Board was also informed of a new student, Jeslyn Gao joining the board.

The upcoming calendar with dates of December 13, 2021, February 14, 2022, April 18, 2022 & October 17, 2022, was presented. Tom Tyburski made a motion to approve the calendar and was seconded by Mary Richardson.

Initial themes for this year’s program were discussed. Jovin Girard mentioned ongoing concerns around mental health, an increase in the presentation of anxiety and panic attacks within students due to acclimating with school and people. The board was asked to continue to think about program ideas and topics for December YAB meeting date.

School updates were reported by Kim Lawlor, reporting that the school is working on lots of evaluations for students, with concerns around anxiety and inability to focus being the main concerns of parents.

Rachael Loveland discussed upcoming Community & Social Services programs including the Sensory Friendly Halloween Trunk or Treat happening 10/25/2021 & registration for the Holiday Program.

There was no SPD School Resource Officers present, no update was provided.

Tom Tyburski of Simsbury Culture, Parks & Recreation discussed ongoing hiring process for ice rink employees and encouraged the community to apply for the job. Tom also stressed concerns of the ongoing of destruction at Rotary Park on Iron Horse Boulevard. Tom reported over $10,000 worth of damage this calendar year and encouraged parents to talk to their children about common courtesy behaviors at the playground and encouraging their children to spend their time in productive ways.

Mary Richardson of Simsbury Public Library reported their first half-day programming happening 10/19/21 including a Smash Brothers Tournament. She also reports weekly Anime Club and Game Club and Maker Mondays. Mary reports more details can be found on the library website.

No student concerns indicated.

Having no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:35 PM.

                                                                             _____________________________________

                                                                             Rachael Loveland