Gang Resistance Education and Training G.R.E.A.T.

Blytheville Junior High Schools began to offer G.R.E.A.T. to our seventh graders in 1993. Sgt. Michael J. Tovar and Officer Damon Travis of the Blytheville, Arkansas, Police Department along with Dena L. Bradway of Blytheville Junior High School administer the program. Our students attend 9 consecutive Wedensdays learning how to resolve conflicts without violence, understand how gangs and youth violence impact their lives and gain experience in making decisions and setting their own goals through structured exercises and role playing. Sgt. Tovar and Officer Travis have both served as mentors to our students. Sgt. Tovar has aided us in constructing a float for our annual Christmas parade. Participation in the float encouraged cooperation between East and West Junior High Schools. Officer Travis brings with him added enthusiasm and infectious excitement. In his off time he is a Scoutmaster.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM

These nine lessons are designed to be taught in 45 minute blocks for 9 consecutive weeks at the 7th/8th grade level.

Lesson 1: Introduction Lesson

G.R.E.A.T. students become acquainted with the program and the police officer.

Lesson 2: Crime/Victims and Your Rights

G.R.E.A.T. officers discuss the impact crime has on victims and neighborhoods.

Lesson 3: Cultural Sensitivity/Prejudice

G.R.E.A.T. students examine their own cultural differences and how they impact the community. They also discuss the harmful behaviors resulting from prejudice.

Lesson 4A: Conflict Resolution (Discussion)

G.R.E.A.T. students learn a six-step process enabling them to resolve conflicts without using violence.

Lesson 4B: Conflict Resolution (Practical Exercises)

G.R.E.A.T. students apply the six-step conflict resolution model to real life situations.

Lesson 5: Meeting Basic Needs

G.R.E.A.T. students are taught to become better equipped to meet their basic needs in a positive way.

Lesson 6:Drugs/Neighborhoods

G.R.E.A.T. students discover how drugs and gangs interfere with the peaceful co-existence of a neighborhood.

Lesson 7:Responsibility

G.R.E.A.T. students learn the diverse responsibilities of individuals within their community. Emphasis is on personal responsibility for one's behavior.

Lesson 8:Goal Setting

Through role playing and discussion, G.R.E.A.T. officers show students the importance of setting goals in life and making appropriate choices.

Slogan No Violence is G.R.E.A.T.

Sergeant Michael J. Tovar

Duties: Training Division, D.A.R.E./G.R.E.A.T. Coordinator, Instructor, and Member SRT Team

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, golf, scuba diving

Personal message: You can be anything you want, if you want it bad enough, it's your choice! "Friends are forever" and Drugs are a Dead End Street.

Officer William Damon Travis

Duties: D.A.R.E./G.R.E.A.T. Instructor, Bike Patrol, Community Services Division, and Member SRT Team.

Hobbies: Plastic modeling, bicycling, Scout Master

Personal Message: If you need to belong to a group join a Boy or Girl Scout Group in your area. Gangs are not the answer and never will be!

Mrs. D.L. Bradway

Duties: 7th Grade Life Science 12 years at Blytheville West Jr. High

Hobbies: Gardening, Constructing our web page

Personal Message: Each of us is unique. We owe it to ourselves to be the best we can at whatever we do. "I can't" never got anything done!

Ah man!!! Back to Class!