The auditorium fills up On Friday October 24, 2008 approximately 350 people filled the Garden City High School Auditorium to hear Dr. Madeline Levine speak about her book titled The Price of Privilege. The program was co-sponsored by the Garden City PTA and the Garden City Community Council on Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention. Dr. Levine, a psychologist who is the author of several books, spoke about how affluence can negatively effect the development of a sense of self in a child leading to things like drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, depression, anxiety and acting out. She also spoke about how communities such as ours tend to place an extremely high value on academic and athletic performance, often forgetting about the value of character. Dr. Levine encouraged parents to love your child for the person he or she is and not who we as parents want him or her to become.

This enlightening evening would not have been possible without the support of many people in the Garden City community. Special thanks to central administration and the high school administration for allowing us to use the high school cafeteria and auditorium. Thanks to Mr. Dave Perrotta, high school assistant principal, and Lori Kuster, high school social worker, for their tremendous assistance behind the scenes in planning the event. Thanks to the custodial staff at the high school for assisting in the setup and cleanup for the evening. Thanks to the Garden City Community Council for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention for generously agreeing to co-sponsor this event. Thanks to Pelligrini Meats and Manor Deli for supplying the delicious sandwiches and salads. And finally thanks to Barnes and Noble for supplying copies of The Price of Privilege for parents to purchase that evening.

Stefanie Granville, Health & Safety and Dr. Madeline Levine

The line for the Book Signing goes out the door GC Community Council on Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention welcomes parents with information packages Moms night out Parents came out for a light dinner before the speaker Delicious fanfare Principal Diane Hopkins, Asst. Superintendent Dr. Teresa Prendergast, and Superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen Dr. Madeline Levine signs books and speaks with parents intimately Dr. Madeline Levine