Southside High students and staff describe "chosen family" of colleagues, mentors and friends

Participants at Southside High School in the Rockville Centre Union Free School District described colleagues, friends and mentors as their “chosen family,” saying those relationships help them through busy days and provide emotional and professional support.

"So my Southside High School family that I really count on are miss Noor and miss Padone. I eat lunch with them every single day for the last over 20 years, and they really keep me grounded and in check on a busy, busy school day as well as just in my personal life," said Speaker 1.

The group of speakers — students and staff in a recorded session — repeatedly named teachers, counselors and peers as sources of encouragement and practical help. One speaker said Jose Rodriguez "...is always there to make me laugh and lift me up" (Speaker 2). Another praised mentors, saying, "My mentor is probably Rob Lichter. I've known him for about 4 years now, and he's always been there to help me" (Speaker 5).

Several speakers described daily habits that reinforce those ties. "They give me positive energy, and they make me happy," Speaker 1 said. Other participants pointed to specific classes or departments where support is concentrated: "My cyclone nation family is my chosen family because we get to participate in healthy activities... soccer, lacrosse, and other clubs like best buddies," said Speaker 10. A different speaker credited the counseling and special-education departments as a close professional network: "The counselors and the special ed department, really strong family here at Southside High School," said Speaker 16.

Multiple speakers singled out individual staff members as trusted adults and daily supports, including miss O'Brien, miss Mann, miss May, mister Purnau, mister Rose and miss Buckley. One speaker described long-term workplace bonds: "Being at Southside for more than 2 decades, some of my closest people are positive friends and support that I've found in this building," said Speaker 17.

Speakers also referenced informal, nonwork relationships that support them outside school: one noted bringing a child to visit a colleague, mentioning children named Rogan and Gavin and a spouse named Pete (Speaker 13), while another called out friends from elementary school as long-term supports (Speaker 11).

No formal actions, votes or policy proposals were recorded in the session. The remarks focused on personal and professional support networks within the school community and on how those relationships affect participants' day-to-day experiences.

The session does not record formal next steps or administrative decisions; it was a series of personal statements about support networks in the school setting.