By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Seven years ago, Juvenile Services in Barton County started a pilot program at Riley Elementary School in Great Bend to help sixth grade students build bright futures. The All Stars program provides consistent and integrated tools for preventing substance misuse, fighting, bullying and the initiation of sexual activity. The program has grown to all the grade schools in Great Bend, Hoisington and Claflin.
Juvenile Services Director Marissa Woodmansee said All
Stars is carried out at a significant time in the children’s lives.
"We want to build up young leaders so they hold true to their commitments and reputations so it carries forward with them in middle school and high school," said Woodmansee. "Data tells us those critical times are the next few years for these students. It's new and we have all of our schools converging into the middle school. It's important that they stay committed to those futures."
Blakelee Cooper facilitated All Stars at Holy Family School in Great Bend and
said students get the chance to talk about behaviors they want to be known for
and those characteristics they want to avoid when they get older.
"One class period, I handed out notecards and told them this was going to be anonymous," said Cooper. "I just want you to write down some things you're struggling with. I read them out loud to the class and we had tears. I couldn't believe these sixth graders were going through this. I opened the floor for discussion on how we can support each other and no one is alone."
A pair of Riley Elementary School All Stars graduates spoke before the Barton
County Commission Wednesday and expressed the lessons they learned through the
program.
Juvenile Services works to receive grant money to fund All Stars and the
training that is needed for instructors.