C.H.A.M.P.S. awards students, expands program
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office’s C.H.A.M.P.S. program awarded 46 Toney Elementary students completion awards Nov. 22.
The C.H.A.M.P.S.─ Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety─program started in DeKalb County Aug. 23 but was founded in 2003 by the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association to address social issues faced by young people. DeKalb County choose to start the program in DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) Toney Elementary School in Decatur.
DeKalb County Deputy Keith McNeil taught the class and covered topics such as harmful effects of alcohol and drug use, bullying, consequences of good and bad decisions, avoiding gang activity, managing peer pressure, coping with stress and avoiding violent behavior in conflict resolution.
According to the sheriff’s office, C.H.A.M.P.S. can help students progress into adolescence and encourages parents to participate through class workbook projects and discussions.
The program targets fifth graders and is taught each school day for approximately an hour. All instructors must be certified in the program. According to the Georgia Sheriffs’ website, the program will eventually extend to middle and high schools.
In September, the program expanded to DCSD’s Rock Chapel Elementary School in Lithonia. C.H.A.M.P.S. also is scheduled to begin at Stoneview Elementary School in Lithonia in 2020.
