STUDENTS PAY ATTENTION IN VIP CLASS

The passing grade for 70 students taking part in the Values, Influences and
Peers (VIP) program at Odessa Public School was 100 per cent.

A total of 70 were presented with their achievement awards during a
ceremony held at the school recently.

Sheri Wanamaker, VIP instructor and a communications officer at the Napanee
OPP Detachment, said students are really focussed on the program.

She said fake drug samples displayed on a board help to get the message
across, especially on drugs.

"They learn the side effects, and what happens when you use them. We go
over everything," she said.

Wanamaker said students are very attentive.

"The participation is fantastic and the program tends to lead to classroom
discussion."

The community service officer said at the end of the 12-week program the
students have a good understanding about the dangers of drugs.

"They get their questions answered and also the ones they may have been
afraid to ask. It's a good way to teach," added Wanamaker.

Dealing with peer pressure at school and learning how to get involved in
community events are also incorporated into the teaching program.

Wanamaker said manuals from Limestone Board of Education are provided to
the students prior to the program.

"I do about 10 hours of teaching and the teachers are responsible for the
rest," she said.

Since the fall, Wanamaker and fellow community service officer Dave Clapp,
have participated in about a dozen programs in the area.