Students Learn About Preventing Suicide
Posted on June 25, 2012
Students learn about the repercussions of hurting others.
Number one last year on the New York Times young-adult fiction bestseller list, the novel “Thirteen Reasons Why” tells the story about student Hannah Baker who is hurt by cruel rumors, harassment, deception, and misplaced trust. She creates a shoebox package containing seven audio tapes, recording her disappointment and disillusion with some classmates, friends, and a school guidance counselor, as well as the beginning of her depression and ultimate suicide. Hannah’s package arrives at the home of fellow student Clay Jensen, along with a map and a list of 12 others who should get the package next, in chain letter style. The tapes demonstrate how cruel and insensitive actions affect other people.
Students in Carmella Youmans’s 10th grade English Regents class at the Islip Career Center (ICC) read the book. As they wrote about their thoughts and feelings, they learned about character, integrity, and not being afraid to ask for help. They created a colorful and informative bulletin board, in addition to creating a blog on the Internet, where they posted their reflections and opinions. Assisting them were Curriculum Teacher Tina Zimmerman and Business Education and Technology Teacher Paul Wimmer. Through their blog, the class collaborated with their peers at the Centereach Academic Center (CAC).
At the “Thirteen Reasons Why” bulletin board are students (l to r) Wilson B. of the Brentwood UFSD, Alice A. of the South Country CSD, Samson E. of the East Hampton UFSD, and Devin C. of the East Islip UFSD.
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