NORWICH – A group of four Norwich High School students addressed the Board of Education Monday as part of the new focus on students, academics and finances for the 2011-2012 school year.

The students – Gabby Blenis, Taylor Hagenbuch, Pat Taylor and Logan Thompson – represent just a small number of those involved with the school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and YES! LEADS programs, dedicated to teaching positive leadership and role model skills, as well as the importance of students staying alcohol, drug and tobacco free.

The student organization has grown in recent years, according to NCSD School Social Worker Kelly Collins-Colosi, and now includes a total of 75 students across all high school grade levels.

This year, in addition to a number of annual events such as its one-day training and team-building seminar, monthly meetings and sponsoring drug and alcohol free after-prom activities, the group has turned its attention to the district’s elementary schools, encouraging younger students to stay away from drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

While challenging, the students said the presentations have been extremely successful, educating Perry Browne, Stanford Gibson and Holy Family students on the dangers of substance abuse and teaching them different ways to say no. As part of the elementary presentations, the Norwich chapter of SADD has developed a number of educational activities. One such, aimed at fifth and sixth grade students, had board members and those attending Monday night’s meeting laughing out loud, thanks to NCSD Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan and BOE member Luke Murphy’s participation.