Students' punishment is helping community
Suspensions traded for volunteer work for some at OBHS
BY MARY ANNE ROSS
Correspondent

OLD BRIDGE - Kids who misbehave at Old Bridge High School are being taught a lesson, but not in the classroom.

Thanks to a new program initiated by Tim Dolan, the grade nine vice principal, many students who would have normally received suspensions are doing community service instead. The program applies to students who have broken rules, as long as the infractions do not involve drugs or violence.

"There are a number of infractions that could cause a student to be suspended, such as smoking cigarettes, cutting class or not showing up for detention," Dolan said. "We really evaluate each student and each situation to see if they would be a good match for the program."

There are a number of locations where the students can do their service. At present they include the Old Bridge Animal Shelter, the Golden Living Center (formerly known as the Old Bridge Manor Nursing Home) and the Old Bridge Historical Society. And recently students have been assigned to after-school programs in the township.

"The problem with suspending students is that they are out of class. We are educators, not policemen. We are here to teach," Dolan said.

Parents are usually relieved when Dolan explains the community service options for their child facing suspension, he noted.

"They would much rather have them do volunteer work than be out of school."

Parents worry about the child getting behind in class work, and since many parents work, there is always the issue of who is going to supervise the child.

Students participating in the community service program don't miss school; instead, they do volunteer work in the afternoon, evenings or on weekends. They typically serve about two hours of volunteer work for every one day they would be suspended. They also have to write an essay reflecting on their experience.

"They're a big help," said Jessica Bryan, recreational director at Golden Living Center, Route 18. "They come in on the weekend. They transport residents in wheelchairs to the dinning room and recreational programs, they help serve food and give patients drinks. It's really nice having them around."

Sonja Gundersen, director of the Old Bridge Animal Shelter on Route 516, said the program is going well.

"I really see a different side to the kids. Most of them really like the work here. Some of them come back after their suspension time is over and continue to volunteer," she said. "Sometimes they get really fond of one of the animals and make it their mission to have it adopted."

Students involved in the community service program are not the only youngsters volunteering at the shelter. Old Bridge High School has a Student Humane Society. Bari Pollack, a member of that group, has been volunteering at the shelter for two years. She does the same type of volunteer work as the community service students.

Pollack socializes the animals, taking the dogs for walks and playing with the cats. She cleans their bowls and sometimes their cages. She knows each of the animals by name and the history of how they came to the shelter.

"I love taking care of the animals. I miss them when they go, but I'm glad they find homes. I've met a lot people and made a lot of friends while I was volunteering here," she said.

The no-kill shelter can use all the help it can get. It is always looking for volunteers and donations of food, bedding and other supplies. For more information, visit www.petfinder.org/shelters/NJ33.html.

Dolan, who has been a vice principal at Old Bridge High School since 2005, previously worked at Red Bank Regional High School and saw the positive impact of a similar program there. The best thing, he said, is the change in the kids.

"I've seen some of them develop a sense of appreciation. They learn empathy and they get a sense of accomplishment and they stay in school. The organizations get some of the extra help they need. Everybody wins."