SADD Spotlight 

CPHS SADD Club:

 SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is a nationwide student organization that works in schools and community chapters, and is overseen by Mrs. Dass and Mrs. Waskowitz. Their goals, along with the officers', are to help students make healthy decisions and guide them to make choices that will positively impact their lives.

SADD: Empowering Students to Make Positive Choices: 

The SADD Club is about more than just avoiding negative decisions; it focuses on helping students make thoughtful, responsible choices. According to Mrs. Dass, the club’s goal is “to show students alternate ways to make decisions, turn negative situations into positive ones, and help them learn skills to help prevent making destructive decisions."  In order to help students learn how to handle everyday decisions that can affect students now or even in the future, SADD wants to educate students on how to take leadership and responsibility and how to demonstrate positivity throughout our school and community.

What Types of "Destructive Decisions" Does SADD Focus On?

SADD works to prevent destructive decisions such as impaired driving, substance abuse, and mental health challenges. They shine a spotlight on raising awareness about the real- life consequences of these behaviors on the people who support you and are around you. Mrs. Dass emphasizes that the club’s goal is to show students that there can be a much more positive and safer way of living life without taking part in harmful behaviors that put people's lives at risk.

Events and Activities Hosted by SADD

Throughout the year, SADD organizes several activities and events. A major upcoming event for SADD is P.S. I Love You Week, which takes place in February. This week is a chance for our school to bring focus to suicide prevention. Mrs. Dass and Mrs. Waskowitz, in previous years, have brought in speakers from the Long Island Crisis Center to raise awareness and have planned to bring them back this year for another assembly!

Goals for the Club During This New Year

For the upcoming year, the club has a few key goals: increase membership participation and spread the word about the club’s mission. “We want students to understand that SADD isn’t just about saying ‘no.’ It’s about showing students positive ways to make decisions,” says Mrs. Dass.

Why and How Students Should Get Involved?

Getting involved in SADD is easy! Students can become members by going to their counselor, speaking directly with Mrs.Dass, or reaching out to an officer during one of the activities.

Interviewed Mrs. Dass: December 16, 2025, 10:42AM