Miss Bonine planned this seminar extremely well, choosing speakers that would be able to address all sides of the issue.  To define harassment from the high school’s point of view and give further details about how harassment is addressed on school property Mr. Duke Sparks, vice principal of Van Alstyne High School and Van Alstyne Police Officer Kelley Davidson, spoke. 

The legal definition of harassment and the many aspects of harassment from a legal standpoint were explained in detail by Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown. 

District Attorney for Grayson County, Joe Brown

Next, the victims’ viewpoint was shared by Miss Ashley Earls, sexual assault advocate from the Grayson County Crisis Center. 

Our diverse speakers helped ensure an extremely comprehensive seminar that everyone enjoyed. 

Miss Elise Bonine of Teen Council and Miss Ashley Earls of the Grayson County Crisis Center

Teen Council and the Van Alstyne Public Library would like to thank all of our speakers for the valuable donation of their time and expertise.  Teen Council would also like to thank the English teachers of Van Alstyne High School as well as Mr. Hardcastle, and Mr. Campbell for their willingness to offer extra credit for attendance. 

(l-r) Van Alstyne Police Officer Kelley Davidson, Miss Elise Bonine of Teen Council and Joe Brown, District Attorney for Grayson County. Teen Council tackled another tough teen issue this past Thursday as we hosted a seminar titled “Harassment: a look from all sides."

Without the support and generosity of all the above mentioned people, our events would not be the success they are. 

From Children’s Librarian Barbara Washington: On Wednesday, May 7, the Van Alstyne Public Library celebrated Mother’s Day with 20 children and 11 moms!  Children separated into two groups – Under 3 Read to Me and 3’s and Up.  The younger group is a new spin off group that accommodates the youngest crowd and is led by a different volunteer mom each week.

This group is more activity driven, using music CD’s for young children and shorter stories for small attention spans.  These youngsters are involved in movement, color recognition, and counting while hearing stories.  The older children remain with Miss Barbara for a different story and activity. 

Individual pictures were taken of the children to create Mother’s Day cards in a large cutout shape of the word M O M.  Children escorted their moms into the meeting room to frost and decorate a special cookie for mom and one for themselves.