Ritchie Secures Funding to Boost Student Safety in the Phoenix Central School District

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced she has secured $3,000 in special funding that will help boost student safety by enhancing suicide prevention efforts in the Phoenix Central School District. 

Funding delivered by Senator Ritchie will help with the cost of a speaker who will visit the district during Red Ribbon Week, a national program happening during the week of October 23rd that aims to enhance drug prevention efforts.  The speaker plans to share with students the importance of treating others with dignity and respect. 

“The challenges of growing up can often be overwhelming for a young person to deal with,” said Senator Ritchie.

“Far too often, we hear of tragic stories involving students whose lives have been cut short after being bullied at school or targeted  through social media. I am pleased to have secured this funding, which will help enhance the district’s suicide prevention programming and in turn, save lives.”

“Education and awareness are key components when dealing with suicide prevention efforts,” said Phoenix Central School District teacher Carol Blackburn, who oversees the district’s suicide prevention program. “We are grateful to Senator Ritchie for securing funding that will help us keep our students safe from the dangers they face, allowing them to lead happier lives.”

Earlier this year, students from the Phoenix Central School District visited Senator Ritchie at the Capitol to discuss problems among youth in our communities, ways to boost suicide prevention efforts and their work to deter more young people from the dangers of drugs and alcohol. 

(Attn. photo editors: Senator Ritchie is pictured in the above photo with students from the Phoenix Central School District, their teacher Carol Blackburn, and aides Morgan Bajish and Tracy Gray in her Albany officer earlier this year)