In a letter to the editor, Bayonne parent Michelle Halsey says that board of education trustees should not be publicly promoting drug use.Â
Dear Editor,
For as long as I can remember our schools have taught us to “Just Say No†To Drugs, a campaign that started in the 1970’s.
In 1982m our First Lady Nancy Reagan replied “Just Say No!’ to a young child who had asked Mrs. Reagan what she should do if she should be offered drugs. All these years this is what Our Bayonne Schools have taught us.
We also have our Drug Free School Zones around every school in every ward. Anyone & everyone who has attended our schools know the acronym D.A.R.E.
Every year the students participate in the National Red Ribbon Campaign with every day being a new activity promoting being drug free. Red Ribbon Day, Sock It To Drugs Day, Turn Your Back On Drugs Day, I’m Wild About Living Drug Free Day & I’m Too Bright For Drugs Day.
Our Board of Education Website states in their Manual that Parents have to sign consent for Random Drug Testing if their child wishes to participate in Athletics. In another rule in the Manual it’s written that students must remain Drug Free.
Yet, one of trustees of the board…Michael Alonso can be seen on YouTube smoking Marijuana from a Bong in Public while causing a scene at Assemblywoman Angela McKnight’s office, titled Ignorance Is No Excuse Tour Michael Alonso Destroys Angela McKnight, as well as in other videos.
Not only is this conduct unbecoming of a BOE trustee that has a voice regarding our children’s education, how do we as parents & educators continue to teach our young people to “Just Say No†when a person who makes decisions regarding their education is blazing up drug paraphernalia in public in broad daylight?
Is Mr. Alonso under the influence of illegal drugs as he sits at the board table discussing & voting on issues that will affect our children?
Is this the reason why he is insistent on fighting for things that have nothing directly to do with our children’s education & everything with his own odd & twisted agenda? It is well known that drugs cloud judgement.
If a teacher, coach or administrator had reason to believe that a student athlete was under the influence they would have to undergo random drug testing as per the consent they & their parents had to sign.
If it’s good enough for our students it is certainly good enough for our trustees that make such important decisions. After all, it was the board who would have had to vote to establish Random Drug Testing wasn’t it?
It’s time for Mr. Alonso to prove that he’s “ Not High In The High School†and for us as a community to protect The Sanctity Of Our Drug Free Schools and demand Mr. Alonso to prove to us that he is of a sound, clear & drug free mind or resign.
Michelle Halsey
Bayonne parent
