With the school year off to a great start, we want to extend a warm NCUFY welcome to Valerie Sutton, the new Middle School Prevention Specialist at Bell and Seven Bridges middle schools. Valerie is a Licensed Master of Social Work and received her MSW from Lehman College. She began her career working in prevention counseling at the Harrison Youth Council. She now works as a part of Student Assistance Services at both Robert E. Bell and Seven Bridges Middle School. Valerie enjoys reading, playing with her dog Chewy and working with young people to help them make positive choices. She is excited to start this new journey in Chappaqua!

Hired this summer, Valerie has jumped right in to her new position, ready to build on the work done by her predecessor. The middle school prevention specialist position, which started in the 2018-2019 school year, is an excellent example of the collaboration made possible by a Drug Free Communities Coalition. Funds available through our Drug Free Communities Grant support this position and some of the activities Valerie brings to our middle schools while the school district provides oversight, supervision and other support. Particular thanks to Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Leadership Development Tony Sinanis, Seven Bridges Principal Joe Mazza and Assistant Principal Nicole Mangiere and Bell Principal Martin Fitzgerald and Assistant Principal Tim Doyle for all of their time and efforts in generating a strong plan for the middle school prevention coordinator’s work in each building for this school year and in the hiring of Valerie Sutton.

We are excited to see all the great things Valerie brings to our middle school students this year, including through her Youth to Youth club at Seven Bridges.