The S.T.A.R. program will be taught, by a School Resource Officer (SRO), to 5th grade students and is designed to teach children the process of identifying and realizing their goals and to provide them with the necessary skills to make positive decisions. There are three (3) core components of the S.T.A.R. program.

First Component:

Students will learn the elements of goal setting, which will include how to identify resources, set appropriate time frames, and how to assess progress. Students will set personal short- and long-term goals and work towards those goals through-out the school year. The ultimate purpose is to demonstrate that goals are only limited by the individual’s imagination and time. Anyone can achieve most anything they set their mind to.

The SRO will present lessons to reinforce positive decision-making while discussing negative behaviors which may impede, impair, or otherwise prevent the achievement of goals. Topics will include: Building Self-Esteem; Decision Making; Coping Skills; Peer Pressure; Gangs; Gateway Drugs; Bullying; School Violence; and Media Influences.

Second Component:

Students will be given take-home assignments on each of the above topics. These assignments build on the classroom activities completed with the SRO and are designed to involve parent participation. An important aspect of the S.T.A.R. program is to maximize the opportunity for parental influence and involvement in their children’s education and growth.

Third Component:

Lastly, the program will utilize videos and images for emphasis and provide examples of success stories from Southern Arizona. We will use success stories that students can identify with and from which they can model their own success.