Title IV

Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program FY07

Marion County Schools

Discovery Health Connections

     Discovery Health Connections (all schools) gives educators access to curriculum programs, teachers’ guides, worksheets, videos, literacy lessons, and extension exercises dealing with critical health and prevention issues.

     Topics included are violence, tobacco, nutrition, alcohol and other drugs, mental health, growth and development, the body, physical activity, and safety.  Many sub-topics are included under each topic.  The Center for Disease Control determined that the above key areas needed to be covered in a comprehensive health education program. 

Success In Stages

     Success in Stages®, CD driven bullying prevention programs for middle and high schools, offers a practical and effective solution to bullying prevention. It is a unique prevention program to help middle and high schools address bullying from the viewpoint of victims, passive bystanders, or bullies themselves. While some bullying prevention programs only target bullies, Success in Stages programs offer feedback to every student -- whether that student is a bully, victim, or passive bystander; acts in multiple roles; or acts respectfully all the time. This program provides for bullying to be approached from all angles to more effectively create a climate of respect in schools. Success in Stages programs can also be used in conjunction with other programs to support school-wide bullying initiatives.

Hazelden Bullying Prevention

          Hazelden "No-Bullying Program” is a comprehensive, grade-specific, K-8 (in Marion County K-6) violence prevention program that involves students, parents, school staff, and community members in reducing bullying behaviors at school.  The program provides students with a clear understanding of behavioral expectations and helps school staff learn to respond most effectively when bullying does occur.  Melanie Rieser, Blackshere guidance counselor, is a Hazelden No-Bullying Program trainer.

Peer Mediation

          Peer Mediation (grades 7-12 all schools) provides a guided process for peaceful conflict resolution.  As its name implies, peers of the disputants conduct the mediation.  Most often the Peer Mediators work in pairs: two trained student mediators.  Referrals can come from school personnel, students, parents, or community members.  Referrals and mediations are confidential.   

Character Education

Marion County schools follows the Character Education framework that encourages the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.

 LifeSkills

          Life Skills (6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades) is a research-validated substance abuse prevention program proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence by targeting the major social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviors.  This comprehensive and exciting program provides adolescents and young teens with the confidence and skills necessary to successfully handle challenging situations.  Rather than merely teaching information about the dangers of drug abuse, LifeSkills promotes healthy alternatives to risky behavior through activities.

Tobacco Prevention Programs

RAZE

     RAZE is a youth empowered statewide anti-tobacco movement whose goal is to create a statewide youth anti-tobacco movement that initiates concern and activitism, with peer-to-peer influence ultimately reducing tobacco use among youth.

     RAZE’s goals are to educate youth about the dangers of tobacco use, decrease tobacco use, encourage activitism, increase community involvement, and be passionate and aggressive in fighting the impact of the tobacco industry.  The following  are RAZE trained:  Cheryl Conaway, NMHS: Stacie Griffith, Mannington; Janis Michael, Manningon; Ryan Stocking, EFHS;  Lori Haggerty, Monongah Middle;  Bobo Pallotta, East Junior;  Rex Rush, FSHS;  Judy Betonte, Dunbar;  Steve Malnick, Mannington; and Mark Kohan, Barnes Learning Center.

N-O-T

     N-O-T is an acronym for Not On Tobacco, a smoking cessation program designed specifically for teens.  The program is sponsored by the American Lung Association and administered by trained facilitators in the schools.  The program uses the “cold turkey” method for quitting.  Participants are provided information about smoking, addiction, the quitting process, and techniques for quitting.  Instruction in stress management, decision making/problem solving, and effective communication is provided.  Healthy lifestyle guidance is also part of the program.  N-O-T is gender specific because males and females use tobacco for different reasons.  Marion County was one of the original pilot sites for this program.  The following are N-O-T trained:  Cheryl Conaway, NMHS;  Stacie Griffith, Mannington; Janis Michael, Mannington;  Rex Rush, FSHS;   Steve Malnick, Mannington;  Alan Henderson, NMHS; and Mark Kohan, Barnes Learning Center.

TATU

      Teens Against Tobacco Use trains youth as tobacco prevention peer facilitators to encourage youth to be tobacco free.  Teens develop skills to teach younger children about tobacco use and become advocates for a tobacco-free community.  As peer educators, they learn how tobacco advertising and promotions deceive youth.  They learn that tobacco dependence will control their lives.  The program develops self-confidence and leadership skills.  The following are TATU trained:  Cheryl Conaway, NMHS;  Stacie Griffith, Mannington; Janis Michael, Mannington; Ryan Stocking, EFHS;  Lori Haggerty, Monongah Middle; and Judy Betonte, Dunbar.

Safe and Drug-Free Schools & Special Education Collaborative Efforts

Student Assistance Team

Responsible Students through School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (RS-SWPBS)

Raymond Frazier

Safe and Drug-Free Schools Coordinator

Marion County Schools

Safe and Drug-Free Schools Networking Committee

Cheryl Conaway, Teacher

North Marion High School

Janis Michael, Teacher

Mannington Middle School

Lynette Swiger, Teacher

Monongah Elementary