The Rye Youth Council brought together over 60 community leaders for the first in a series of  “Community Conversations” October 11.

The Rye Youth Council brought together over 60 community leaders for the first in a series of  “Community Conversations” October 11.

Representatives from the elementary, middle and high schools, Rye Country Day School, school officials and school board members, PTO officers, City Council members, Rye Police Department, Rye YMCA, clergy members, and Rye Youth Council Executive Board members were in attendance. The Rye Community Synagogue hosted the event.

The gathering was designed to foster an honest and meaningful dialogue about the values in our community, and to ensure greater cooperation between local agencies.  Participants were asked to discuss both the contributing and detracting factors to a “culture of caring” in our community, and to identify two positive values they would like to see more of in Rye.

Agencies were invited to share their ideas for programs and activities promoting these values, both for teens and for adults. The Rye Youth Council staff is in the process of compiling this information. It will also be working with a small group of community members to develop a “Civility Statement” to reflect the common goals developed during the discussion. The statement will be made available to the public.

It was the beginning of a meaningful and important discussion and, as one participant stated, one that must continue both with adults and children in Rye. Dr. Alvarez, Rye City Schools Superintendent, tweeted the next morning: “Great Community Conversation… will support students’ social and emotional growth.”