Hill City Elementary School fifth-graders graduated this week from a 23-week C.H.A.M.P.S. program hosted by the Sheriff’s Department.
The 2008-2009 school year is the first for the C.H.A.M.P.S. (Choosing Healthy Activities & Methods Promoting Safety) in Pickens County.
The program is geared for fifth-grade students and covers topics such as alcohol, bullying, drugs, gangs, tobacco use, peer pressure and internet safety. The key idea is choices and consequences, according to Corporal Chris Leake, C.H.A.M.P.S. instructor for sheriff department. The class takes place once a week during Social Studies class.
Several students from each school were recognized for their essays and posters on topics from the course.
Leake said he knows they are making progress with the children, since tests are administered before and after the program. Students usually score around 50 to 60 percent on the pre-tests, and end up in the 80 to 90 percent range at the end of the 23 weeks.
Hill City Principal Carlton Wilson started the graduation ceremony, congratulating the students and welcoming Corporeal Leake, Sheriff Donnie Craig, and Chief Deputy Joe McDonald.
Wilson spoke of his initial concern about giving up that much of the students’ time, but became confident about the decision when he found out that Leake would be teaching. Wilson said, “I knew immediately that it would be well worth the 23 hours.”
Leake told the students at the beginning of the graduation ceremony, “I really, really appreciate all your hard work... Give yourselves a round of applause.” He went on to remind them that they have been equipped with valuable knowledge. “You’ve all asked me about my tool belt and my taser... Well, the things you’ve learned will go on your tool belt.”
Leake attended a two-week course to prepare to teach the class.
He took the job as instructor when it was offered since he already had experience with youth, and describes his role as that of a mentor. Leake has been instrumental with the law enforcement explorer post operated through the sheriff department.
He said that students would come to him after class and talk to him about issues they were dealing with. “It was great to have that personal relationship with the kids,” he said. “It really felt good to be able to help them.”
Sheriff Craig says that he likes the program because the department is able “to work with the kids in a positive way.”
He said that Dawson County schools are trying a new program, formulated by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association, in their middle schools. If successful, he says, he would like to bring it to the Pickens County middle schools in the next several years.
Many students came up to Leake and gave him high-fives and waves goodbye. He is optimistic about teaching the program next year.
“There is already a buzz with the fourth-graders,” he said, grinning.
“We are trying to get the community involved and see what issues are important to them,” Leake says, so the program can be tailored to the specific needs of the community.
C.H.A.M.P.S. was created in 2003 by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association, and is now used in 50 counties in Georgia. It has 23 lesson plans, and Pickens County is one of only five that teach all 23. The program is taught in all four Pickens County elementary schools. Graduation for Harmony Elementary, Tate Elementary, and Jasper Elementary were also held this week.
Each student was given a graduation certificate with their name on it, and a C.H.A.M.P.S. T-shirt and water bottles. |
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| PHOTO BY SNEED COLLINS |
| C.H.A.M.P.S. graduates proudly display their banner |
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