About 40 public school teachers gathered at La Bella Vita in Ozone Park last week to undergo training sponsored by The Lions Club International. Photo Courtesy The Lions Quest
The Lions Club International conducted a training for about 40 teachers from 10 schools last Thursday and Friday at La Bella Vita Caterers in Ozone Park as part of an effort help young people develop positive commitments to their families, schools, peers, and communities.
Known as the city schools Lions Quest teacher training, the program also focused on how to encourage students to live healthy, drug-free lives.
The free training was provided through a grant from Lions Club International Districts 20-K1 and 20-R2 to help schools meet unfunded mandates from the state.
The Lions Quest curriculum began after the Queens Pride Lions Club convinced the city Department of Education to work with Lions Clubs – community service groups that do a wide variety of volunteer work throughout the world – to conduct the training and get it funded.
From forming positive decision making and citizenship skills to cultivating an ethic of service to others, the curriculum also assists schools in meeting the requirements of the Dignity for All Students Act – legislation that went into effect in July 2012 which intends to give students an educational environment free from discrimination and harassment. It protects against all forms of harassment, particularly those based on a student’s race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender.
