No Child Left Behind: Ensuring Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities

A provision under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation is to ensure communities and schools remain safe and drug free. To that end, Virginia Beach City Public Schools is providing a variety of programs for students in grades K – 12 to equip them with the knowledge and skills to resist experimenting with harmful substances and participating in harmful behaviors. Funding for the following prevention initiatives is made possible through the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Title IV Grant. The prevention strategies funded by this grant are reflected in the following programs:

Aggressors, Victims and Bystanders (AVB): In situations involving violence, persons may take one of three roles. A person could be the aggressor, the victim, or the bystander (witness) in any situation. Seventh grade health teachers and middle school resource officers conduct AVB lessons emphasizing student responsibilities and consequences in each of these roles. The AVB curriculum lessons deliver a strong violence prevention message and offer students coping strategies.

Options, Choices and Consequences (OCC): Presented by high school resource officers to ninth grade students, OCC addresses the issue of gun violence and the consequences of violent behavior. Local attorneys and trauma team experts provide assistance with this program.

Every 15 Minutes: This two-day event conducted at the high school level, simulates a death every 15 minutes caused by an alcohol-related accident. This large-scale community project involves the Virginia Beach Police Department, Fire and Rescue, hospital and trauma teams, court personnel, clergy, parents, hotels, and Smith and Williams funeral home. Every 15 Minutes typically is scheduled to create an awareness of alcohol-related accidents associated with activities such as prom, ring dance, and graduation. Community and parental involvement is at an all-time high in regards to this program.

First Tee: First Tee provides elementary students with the opportunity to develop life skills in the challenging environment of the golf course. First Tee--a six-week course, meeting two days a week for 1.5 hours--teaches children how to set goals, develop leadership, and accept responsibility. In the schools where this program is available, staff reports that students continue to apply the skills taught in First Tee to their school day. First Tee has alliances with the Hampton Roads Junior Golf Foundation, TPC Golf Course of Virginia Beach, and the YMCA of South Hampton Roads.

Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR): A nationally recognized training program, QPR is presented by a certified instructor (school nurse) in order to provide teachers and counselors the signs and symptoms of suicidal students. As a result of this training program, staffs are better equipped to ensure students receive the appropriate treatment/counseling.

Celebrate Life: One of the highest risk nights for teens is graduation night. Because many students feel they haven’t really celebrated if they haven’t been drinking or using other drugs, parents, teachers, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and students have gathered together to present Celebrate Life. Gaining popularity over the years as the annual all-night graduation celebrations, this program is held at all Virginia Beach high schools. Celebrate Life’s success is apparent by the high number of students choosing to attend this drug-free event.

Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program (YADAPP): Grant funding pays the registration fee for two teams of VBCPS teenagers (middle and high school students) to attend the annual YADAPP Conference where students develop and practice leadership skills.

Safety Camp: In collaboration with the Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation, grant funding supports a “Spring Break” camp for 3rd graders identified as at-risk or latch-key students. During this weeklong camp, students are taught life skills with an emphasis on safety and decision-making skills.

Substance Abuse Intervention and Tobacco Intervention Program: These programs, provided in conjunction with the Department of Virginia Beach Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse, are offered to middle and high school students who have been referred to this alternative education program in lieu of suspension or expulsion from school as a result of their violation of the school division’s Code of Student Conduct.

Second Step- a Drug Abuse & Violence Prevention Program: The Second Step violence prevention curriculum was purchased for elementary school teachers and guidance counselors. The Second Step program provides students with strategies to reduce impulsive and aggressive behavior and increase their level of social competence. Classroom teachers and guidance counselors throughout the elementary grades teach the program.

Student Support Specialists: Grant funding supports two student support specialists for middle and high school students who are transitioning between the school division’s alternative education centers and their assigned neighborhood schools. These specialists work with students who need academic and behavioral assistance.

For additional information on any of these programs, please contact:

Sharon Gray, Alternative Education Coordinator, 757-427-8408
Linda Jacocks, Safe and Drug-free Program Manager, 757-427-8405
e-mail address: nclb@vbschools.com.