Dan's Papers - May 8, 2009 -

Should I pass up my usual Memorial Day weekend in the Hamptons if I must worry that the cob might wish to peck at my car's art deco?

I have a lot of body molding strips that form designs on my car. Took a lot of work! Would the cob have an instinct that I love swans?

He would. He told me to tell you to come on out. - DR

I am a 25 year resident of Sag Harbor and I would like to ask your paper to do a heart warming story about Pierson High School.

It has been my privilege to be the mother of two beautiful sons Michael 23, and Anthony, 18, currently a student at Pierson. Anthony has a learning disability. He has ADHD, so his reading comprehension at times causes him frustration, leading him to have problems with his attitude and behavior in school.

At times it was difficult for me to have to defend the school to other parents, taxpayers and students. This school and its team of caring, loving, teachers, directors, counselors and staff have guided and granted my son Anthony the gift of teaching and learning. He has put the staff and myself to the test this winter. He was asked to leave the school because they felt that he could not be mainstreamed and his actions were causing disturbances. And they were right! But as an involved mother with a team of involved teachers, together we believed that it was in my son's best interest and survival, to stay where he was, at Pierson. We all knew, and agreed, that if we placed him in a different school for the sake of not wanting to deal with his problem, we would lose him.

Together as a team, we challenged the process and the one person who was causing this issue, Anthony. It took a lot of time, patience and love. As his mom, I felt I would conquer this alone. I had no choice, he is my son. There were times when I thought I would just throw in the towel and let him take his GED and just figure it out at a later date. But the one person who told me that it was unacceptable, was (believe it or not), my son Anthony. He truly wanted to graduate from Pierson High School, and wants to be successful and an honorable citizen. How does a mom fold with those words and feelings that were placed in front of her? Armed with our feelings and beliefs, we all (as a team) went to the boards to ask for a last chance. They were reluctant. They thought about the side effects and decided that the only side effect was Anthony's success. They agreed and kept him in place.

I can tell you without question, if it were not for the team at Pierson High School, and his doctor, Harriet Hellman, Anthony would be a failure. Bottom line, every once in awhile you have take a risk. You have to challenge the system, ask for help and someone, somewhere, might hear your plea and understand the importance of breaking the cycle. We broke the cycle. We all won!

Anthony, along with a wonderful team of caring, unsung heroes behind him, has raised his average in school and has no discipline issue to date. He is held accountable for his actions and his work. He is taking his tests for college, and is now a happy young man. I can tell you, without this strong foundation behind us, he would have slipped through the cracks.

He said to his friend last night as they were talking about senior year, "I could not have done it without my family, friends and all the teachers who put their reputations on the line for me. They believed in me when I couldn't."

So for all those who think that their school system is a vortex of wasted dollars or the school is just "a joke," it is not. It is real, alive, loving and caring. It takes a village and our town working together as a team to make changes.

A heart rendering thank you to the Pierson staff. You all know who you are, Harriet Hellman, NP and Anthony Borgese for standing up and taking responsibility for the future.