Second Step is a first-rate program

Many thanks to Mark Wineka and the Post for the story in today’s paper (“One wish, 1,000 cranes, May 14). One thousand thanks to Nancy Gaines for starting this campaign to help continue the wonderful best practices program, Second Step, that I have been fortunate enough to be an integral part of for 10 years. 

Anyone that has witnessed the effect this program has on the 1,150 students seen weekly by one of the three educators providing Second Step can attest to the impact. The stories that Elizabeth Lattimore, Ellen Huffman and I have about parents who have stopped us in various places to tell us how much their children love “Puppy,” (our traveling companion dressed in a school uniform) and us has amazed me since the first encounter I had in Walmart ten years ago at Christmastime.  The parents relate to us what their children have learned about handling their emotions and the bullying behaviors of others.

A cost of $28.93 per child per year is a pittance compared to some of the “high end” speakers and programs being discussed by the school system. And yet, our Rowan-Salisbury School System does not pay one cent to help Families First provide this fantastic program. Come on, Rowan-Salisbury parents. Let’s do something positive that the children love, happens on a weekly basis, and teaches such important lessons on self-regulation of emotions and responding to a bully situation.

How about 10,000 cranes?

— Lee Silverburg

Salisbury

Silverburg is program director for Second Step.

Mighty big thanks to Mighty Milers supporters

I would like to send our a huge thank you to our community for supporting our school (Overton Elementary School) in its Mighty Milers program. Sonic, Rowan Runners, Walmart and Food Lion made our 1-mile run awesome, and the kids really appreciated it!

It is so nice to have a community that bonds together.

— Sara Phillips

Salisbury