WEST JONES STUDENTS ARE 'TOO GOOD FOR DRUGS'

Too Good for Drugs is a school drug and violence prevention program
developed by the Mendez Foundation in Tampa, Fla. In 1988 the program was
implemented by the Jones County schools a the elementary level. In 1992,
Too Good for Drugs, then called Clear Choices, was established as a
full-time drug and violence prevention program at the middle school level.

Every student in grades K-8 in Jones County participates in Too Good for
Drugs. In grades K-4 the classroom teacher teaches the curriculum. In
grades 5-8 volunteers and the science teachers teach the classes.

All of the classes are held once a week for one hour for a total of nine
weeks. The five interwoven components of Too Good for Drugs are goal
setting, decision making, bonding with other, identifying and managing
emotions, and communicating effectively. Each lesson is outlined with
objectives, activities, materials, tips, appropriate video, and
supplemental activities. Each student has a workbook to use in conjunction
with the lessons. Although Too Good for Drugs is a school-based program, it
also encourages specific activities which include families.

Too Good for Drugs provides for pre-a nd post-testing of all students
involved in the classes. The testing is especially helpful in determining
what students know and what they do not know. Post-Testing show if choices
and behavior have been changed because of Too Good for Drugs.

Character First! and imagine u: The Quest for Character are character
education programs that have been in place in grades K-8 since 1997.
Character First! was developed by the Character Training Institute of
Oklahoma and is taught at the elementary level. The Jones County School
District was the first district in Mississippi to use Character First! and
was recognized by the Mississippi State Department of Education at
Character Awareness Day in March of 2000. The program is designed as a
series with a different character attribute taught each month by the
classroom teacher. Each teacher's manual contains nine leaflets, each one
focusing on a different attribute. The attribute is first defined for the
teacher, illustrated through a reference to nature and a historical
reference is used. The teacher is given suggestions for creative activities
through which students may apply what they have learned. Through the use of
the five " I Will" commitments, children will begin to form responsible
habits early in life that they will carry throughout their development.
Using Character First!, teachers are able to teach students ethical
behavior by : defining roles, explaining the concept of the attribute,
emphasizing the role of leadership, referring to nature, historical
references, asking students to commit through the "I Will" statements, art
activities, language arts, music and creative movement, science activities
and providing students with collectible cards. Character First! is designed
to be used in the content areas across the curriculum. imagine u: The Quest
for Character is a middle school character education program developed by
the Mississippi Economic Council, the state's largest business and
professional organization. The program is the result of a request by a
group of classroom teachers to the MEC over three years ago. A network of
teachers and college professors joined MEC in writing a program that can be
used in the classroom. The Jones County School District has included
imagine u in our middle school Correct Response classes since 1997.
Currently imagine u is also being taught through the seventh and eighth
grade English classes so that all middle school students can benefit from
this outstanding character education curriculum.

The imagine u curriculum contains a teacher's resource manual which
includes 50 case studies, 20 lesson plans, suggested activities, and a
comprehensive list of sources and resources. The curriculum is
literature-based and includes a copy of The Book of Virtues, which is the
backbone of the program. The book's stories and fables promote honesty,
respect, courage, friendship, loyalty, self-discipline, compassion,
responsibility, and perseverance. A work ethic is also addressed in the
imagine u curriculum. The seventh and eighth grade students participate in
ten lessons and extended activities encouraging character development.

In 2001 the Jones County School District received the Pine Belt Counseling
Association Outstanding Program Award for Elementary/Middle Schools for
"Too Good For Drugs, II" and the Mississippi Counseling Award for
Outstanding Elementary/Middle School Program for " Too Good For Drugs, II,"
Character First!, and imagine u: The Quest for Character. The Jones County
School District provides violence and drug prevention education as well as
character education with Safe and Drug Free Schools funds and considers
these programs to be needed additions in the classroom. Federal Programs
Director for Jones County is James Walters.