NHS Teacher To Be Honored This Weekend

At Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence

By Eliza Hallabeck

During the Annual Women’s Center of Greater Danbury 4k Walk Against Domestic Violence on Sunday, October 3, Newtown High School Physical Education and Health Department Chair Kathy Davey will be honored among others who have worked with the center in the past.

“As department chair for physical education and health at NHS, she has institutionalized our presentations in their high school,” Heidi Rankin, prevention educator at the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, said in a press release on Tuesday, September 28.

Mrs Davey said this week she has been collecting contributions and knew she would be walking in the event, but was unaware until this week she would be honored, along with six other participants.

“It’s an honor to everybody in the whole PE department,” said Mrs Davey, adding the Women’s Center does so much in the school, including visiting classes and generate discussion on topics like healthy relationships. 

According to the press release, all NHS students learn from the Women’s Center at some point in their high school career.

“This ensures Newtown students are well equipped to practice healthy relationships and avoid dating violence,” said Ms Rankin.

Students also discuss how to modify and reduce perso­nal risk in situations, according to Mrs Davey.

“We want kids to analyze their personal responses to situations,” she said.

Along with discussing healthy relationships, Mrs Davey said students in their junior year at NHS discuss bullying and harassment.

“The Women’s Center has been wonderful,” said Mrs Davey. “It’s such an excellent resource that is close to Newtown.”

The Walk Against Domestic Violence will be held on Western Connecticut State University’s westside campus, and registration will begin at 8:30 Sunday morning. The opening ceremony will be at 9: am, and the walk will begin at 10.

Comedian Christine O’Leary is a special guest for this year’s walk, and there will be food, entertainment, games and activities for all ages. Advance registration for the event is $50 per team, $25 per individual, and $10 per student.

More information on the walk is available at wcogd.org/AnnualWalk.