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The goal of the program is to improve and support the safety, health, well-being, and positive development of students. The program strengthens alcohol other other drugs prevention strategies and intervention related issues, provides anti-bullying/harassment training, support for violence prevention resources, peer-to-peer student initiatives that build and strengthen asset development, school safety equipment, and parent education and leadership development programs through the Kenosha Parent Network.
The three major ongoing district goals are:
- to increase student's developmental assets,
- to increase a sense of safety with the schools, and
- to increase student peer group/parent participation and AODA violence prevention knowledge by 5% through Class Action and Second Step.
The Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth of Kenosha County Steering Committee reviews the effectiveness annually. Members provide input for further program development. Public and non-public schools are invited to participate in The program programs, meetings and receive prevention resources.
Highlights & Activities
Greater Kenosha Community Alcohol and Other Drugs Awareness Committee
- Contests: The committee annually sponsors an array of contests that focus on promoting alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse (ATODA) prevention awareness. Contests include slogan, poster, creative writing, and a special program award.
- Special Project Award--All schools can apply for an award to implement a special program and/or project that will have a lasting impact on and education of children and youth regarding the effects of ATODA.
- High School Scholarship--A $500 scholarship is awarded to a high school student. A student may enter by writing a poem, essay and/or musical piece. See high school counselors for criteria.
- 2009 Greater Kenosha Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Awareness Week – May 2–8, 2009
“The best decision is the drug free vision.”
Chris N., third grade student at Roosevelt Elementary School submitted the award-winning slogan.
For additional information regarding the schedule, please call 942-2256
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Concerned Citizens Coalition
- Drug-Free School Zones -- Drug Free School Zone signs is a national effort to deter the sale of drugs to children and youth. The U.S. congress pass a law in 1988 and Wisconsin passed a parallel law in 1989 which indicated that an increase of five years imprisonment for anyone attempting to deal drugs within 1,000 feet of a public park, swimming pool, youth center, community center, and public or private schools. In 1990, the Concerned Citizens Coalition initiated the project throughout Kenosha County. The signs are sponsored by the Coalition, in cooperation with the Kenosha Unified School District. All schools and youth organizations may request a sign.
- Red Ribbon Campaign -- In 1988, the National Family Partnership established the first red ribbon campaign. The red ribbon began as a symbol of hope for people taking a stand against illegal drugs and the misuse of legal drugs. The annual Kenosha County Red Ribbon Campaign is a jointly sponsored event between the Coalition and the Safe and Drug Free Schools/Communities Programs. For additional information on the history of the Red Ribbon campaign, refer to Red Ribbon Week.
- Teen Task Force -- A group of adolescents that promote healthy choices and drug-free lifestyles. This group provides activities, community service projects, and peer-to-peer mentoring for youth throughout Kenosha County.
- Youth and Family Activity Guide -- A Kenosha County area resource guide for families and residents of county. the guide provides information on different volunteer opportunities, events, and resources that occur throughout the year.
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Healthy Communities / Healthy Youth of Kenosha County
This county-wide organized group strives to promote and strengthen the Search Institute's mission of the Forty Developmental Assets. Sharing information, providing resources, and community presentations are included in their goals.
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Kenosha Parent Network
The Network was established in 1989 under the support and guidance of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program. The parent group is a community-wide initiative to mobilize parents in an effort to create positive change, build and strengthen family/school partnerships, and develop a comprehensive parent education and leadership developmental program. The goals include:
- To affirm the important role of parenting
- To strengthen family relationships
- To encourage communication among parents, families, parents and children, and parents and schools
- To furnished educational programs and training to parents at school sites and throughout the community
- To develop leadership for participation in schools and community
- To provide resources that link parents to schools and the community.
Programs include:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:
- Chat & Chew Program - This series of programs is developed by school sites with each school having a Parent Network Organizer. Child Care is provided.
- Building A Better Me - A series of four sessions designed to help parents and their children put the 40 Developmental Assets to work in their daily lives.
- Preparing Your Child for School Success - A five-week series for parents with children in grades PreK-3. This series provides a framework for a positive home learning environment, for improving communication.
- Second Step – This six-week series on violence prevention
specifically addresses problem solving and anger manager.
- Mother Read/Father Read – This is an eight-ten week series
designed to enhance reading skills of children in grades K-4 through parents
actively participating in reading with their child. This series is held in partnership with the Kenosha Public
Library.
- Curriculum Sessions – Interactive parent/student and parent
informational sessions are conducted to assist parents in understanding math,
reading, writing, and science core content curriculum areas.
- Safety Programs – Law Enforcement assists with educational
programs regarding safety, AODA and violence prevention trainings.
- Forty Development Assets – This session provides parents with
information on the forty developmental assets and techniques on how to build
and strengthen assets in children and youth.
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
- Parents Who Care--Research-based prevention program that helps parents make a positive difference in their teenager's lives.
- Prime for Life--A program designed to assist parents in talking with their children about alcohol and other drugs.
- Chat & Chew Programs--This series of programs is developed by school sites with each school having a Parent Network Organizer. Bullying/harassment, adolescent behavior, communications with your teen, and current information on alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use/abuse prevention are the major themes.
- Strengthening Families – This seven week
series is for parents and children ages 10-14 that focuses on issues about
alcohol and other drug abuse prevention.
The program is held in partnership with the Drug Free Communities
Support Grant.
- Parent Book Study– This is a four week session for parents with a specific book that enhances parenting.
- Curriculum
Sessions – Interactive parent/student and parent informational sessions are conducted to assist parents in understanding math, reading, writing, and science core content curriculum areas.
HIGH SCHOOL:
- Evening with the Counselors Series--All high school parents and students are invited to meet with the high school counselors on various topics through the school year in the evening hours. Topics may include: adolescent, Attention Deficit--ADD/ADHD information and support, career decisions, career center resources, communications, connecting families-students-and-schools, social concerns, student assets, student attendance and achievement, the Youth Options Program, and general problem solving and decisions skill building techniques. Contact your high school counselors for the topics, dates and times of this year's series.
- Preparing Your Child For Education and Careers--This annual workshop is designed to bring information to parents regarding financial aid, college scholarship preparation, adolescent behavior, and youth options as well as financial planning for higher education.
- “911 for Parents” –
This four-week series on child behavior, personal management, and motivation for parents of children in grades
K – 12.
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Resources For Parents
Kenosha Parent Network Brochure – Is an explanation of the
Kenosha Unified School District parent education and leadership development
training program which includes ESL classes for parents, and Pre-GED
classes.
Our Children Parties and The Law – This brochure provides
current information to parents on curfew, underage alcohol offenses and related
penalties, and the Kenosha Unified School District Alcohol and Other Drugs
Policy.
Programs Include:
- Safety Programs – Law Enforcement assists with educational
programs regarding safety, AODA and violence prevention trainings.
- Parenting Issues – Single session programs address specific
parenting issues such as communication, effective discipline, and being
involved with your child’s education.
K-5 POSITIVE PARENTING PACKAGE: This newsletter is published monthly during the school year. Pertinent workshops and events are related as well as parenting tips.
Parenting Works--A parent newsletter published three times a year by Children's Hospital of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
THE MIDDLE MESSAGE: This newsletter is published monthly during the school year for parents of middle school students. A book review is included that focuses on the theme for the month which follows one of the district's identified Lifelong Learning Standards.
KENOSHA FAMILY CONNECTIONS: This publication is geared for parents of ninth grade students and is published monthly during the school year. Information on useful web sites, as well as a book review, community events and other issues affecting ninth grade students.
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Training
PARENT CONNECTION TRAINING
This five week series for parents of children in elementary and middle schools includes the following topics: communication skills, communicating with adolescents, peer relationships, stress management, goal setting, and alcohol/drug information.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Leadership development is an ongoing yearly training for Parent Network Organizers. The preparation develops organization and communication skills, team building, and problem solving techniques as well as facilitation abilities.
PARENT EXPECTATION FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
This six-week series helps to increase parenting skills and enhance parent involvement.
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For more information, contact Patricia Demos:
Community/School Relations Manager of the Safe & Drug Free Schools and Community Programs
3600 52nd Street
Kenosha, Wisconsin 53144
(262) 942-2257
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Safe and Drug Free Schools
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