Peace, yes! Violence, no!

Monday, November 15, 2004

That may soon be the catch phrase for 150 third-grade students at Burns, Cooper, Sherrard, and Thurgood Marshall ElementarySchools and the Herman Rogers Academy. They are going to learn about healthier life choices through the Health Alliance Plan (HAP) Supa Dupa Babee Anti-Drugs / Anti-Violence curriculum.

The program utilizes books, dolls and action figures engaged in storytelling and other activities to help the students develop an environment based on harmony and friendship. Another key aspect of the program is the early emphasis on saying no to drugs and unsafe lifestyles by helping to build self esteem which makes students less likely to drop out of school or to be influenced by negative environmental factors.