November 18, 2008 - Springfield Public Schools has teamed up with the Springfield Police Department to teach students valuable lessons about a topic not normally talked about in class – gangs. Launched this week at Kennedy Middle and Gerena Elementary schools, the Gang Resistance and Education Training (G.R.E.A.T) program is aimed at steering children away from gangs, crime, drugs and violence.
The program places three of the city’s 21 Quebec officers inside the classroom to teach the six-week course. The success of the G.R.E.A.T. program is founded on the mutual commitment of law enforcement and educational agencies to provide children with skills to combat the stresses that set the stage for gang involvement; provide children with accurate knowledge about gang involvement.; provide children with the skills necessary to resolve conflicts peacefully; and help children understand the need to set realistic goals.
“We want to empower all of our students to realize their full potential so they may lead fulfilling lives as responsible citizens and leaders of the 21st Century,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alan J. Ingram. “The G.R.E.A.T program helps build a strong foundation to support that mission.”
“This program shows a continued commitment towards decreasing gang activity and youth delinquency in the City of Springfield,” stated Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. “Partnering the United States Marshal’s office in our city’s schools with the dynamic services already being provided by the Springfield Police Department’s Quebec unit allows teachers to continue teaching our students in a structured learning environment.” “We will continue working at the root causes of youth delinquency,” said Sarno.
The Springfield Police Department secured a $6,000 grant from the United States Marshals’ office to fund the program. Quebec officers Martin Kelly, Gregory McCain and Sgt. Kevin Wood have been specially trained to teach the GREAT curriculum. Springfield is the sixth city nationwide to adopt the program.
Police Commissioner William Fitchet said the program reaches youth when they are most impressionable.
“This program will give kids the tools they need to handle real-life situations, which without this training, could lure them down the wrong path,” he said. “We think it will make a real difference.”
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