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Lafayette Today ~ January 2014 - Page 25
March 2014
Serving the Lafayette Community Emergency Preparedness Commission By Fran Miller
How does one properly prepare for an event that one has never experienced and may never experience in a lifetime? This is one of the most difficult charges of the City of Lafayette’s Emergency Preparedness Commission – trying to get citizens to imagine, practice, and prepare for unforeseen catastrophes. The Emergency Preparedness Commission (EPC) coordinates preparation and planning efforts to mitigate the effects of natural and man-made disasters such as earthquakes and floods. The main focus of the EPC is to bring the Emergency Operations Center to a state of readiness by providing the necessary materials and resources. In addition, the EPC sponsors the Neighborhood Captains Program and provides training opportunities. “It is very hard to instill in others the need for preparedness when they have By the end of the Sister-to-Sister Summit, everyone is happy.
Sister-to-Sister: Smoothing the Bumps in the Middle School Ride By Jody Morgan
The 15th annual Sister-to-Sister Summit (S2S), sponsored by the OrindaMoraga-Lafayette Branch (OML) of the Association of American University Women (AAUW), invites middle school girls to enjoy a full day of bonding with high school age “big sisters.” Girls find a vocabulary to discuss issues ranging from personal image to dating to dealing with feeling left out and learn how others have handled the problems they face. Although publicity centers on Lamorinda schools, applicants from any area middle school are welcome to attend the March 22nd Summit at the Bentley School in Lafayette. What makes the program so successful that many girls who come in 6th grade return in 7th and 8th? High school girls, who have recently worked through the same stressful phase, plan and lead every activity. Adults are not present in the small group discussions. “Because the Summit is filled with time to talk over tasty food, social games and more intimate and safe discussion groups, the relationships formed can come from sharing in each other’s laughter but also hearing about each other’s struggles,” wrote Jen Vaccaro, one of the numerous middle school participants who elect to be “big sisters” when they reach 9th grade. In her article published in Lamorinda Weekly on February 16, 2011, she comments: “Whether it was because they could provide a different perspective on situations, or because these friendships reminded me that I was not confined within the borders of my own school, the friends I made at Sister-to-Sister are still a big part of my life.” How are the high school facilitators prepared for their responsibilities? Extensive training over the course of the six months leading up to each Summit gives the group of 35-40 high school facilitators the skills they need to effectively engage younger girls in small group discussions. The trainers are professional women who take time from their careers as counselors, corporate trainers, and teachers to impart the life skills such as listening, questioning, managing group dynamics, and relating to different personalities that empower the high school girls to help their younger “sisters” articulate their individual concerns. These same adults maintain a low profile at the Summit, but they are always present if a situation arises that requires their support. A nurse is also on duty to back up all the enthusiastic volunteers.
See Sister continued on page 13
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A CERT trainee and his pal practice fire suppression training at a Lamorinda CERT exercise and Safety Fair. Photo by Carol Yates.
See Preparedness continued on page 19
Toni McShane, Lafayette’s Citizen of the Year Leaving a Profound Impact on Generations of Students, Families, and Educators Alike By Jay Lifson
If you have raised your family in Lafayette, chances are Toni McShane is no stranger to you. She has been serving our community as Stanley Middle School’s Assistant Principal since 1996. Toni has been a teacher, surrogate mother, advocate, and godmother to thousands of kids “Remarkable energy, enthusiasm, and charm,” “Grace and dedication!” and “Responsive and open!” are what her peers say about her. Toni is adored by everyone who comes in contact with her. She is a cheerleader at all the games, she chaperones every dance, and she attends every play. She goes way beyond the expectations of her job. Community members have been campaigning for Toni to be Citizen of the Year for a long time. With Toni retiring after this school year, this is her moment to finally give the students, the teachers, and the parents an opportunity to say, “Thank you Toni!” Volume VIII - Number 3 The Citizen of the Year dinner is sponsored 3000F Danville Blvd #117 by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. The Alamo, CA 94507 event will be held at the Lafayette Park Hotel Telephone (925) 405-6397 & Spa on March 28th. A registration form Fax (925) 406-0547 is available on the Chamber’s website, editor@yourmonthlypaper.com www.lafayettecahmber.org. Cocktails Corstorphine ~ Publisher begin at 6pm and dinner will be served at TheAlisa opinions expressed herein belong to the 7pm. Please join us as we congratulate writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Today is not responsible Toni! for the content of any of the advertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement.