FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
LifeSkills Classes to be taught in 3rd through 8th grade at Scottsburg Schools
Scottsburg, Indiana – August 16, 2013 – Scottsburg schools take another step in combating drug and alcohol abuse in children. For the first time at Scottsburg schools, Life Skills classes will be taught in 3rd through 8th grade.
LifeSkills is an evidence- based prevention program for children in 3rd – 10th grade. According to Botvin, the creator of LifeSkills curriculum, LifeSkills cuts tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use by up to 80%.
At Scottsburg Elementary, Kandace Spaulding, school counselor, teaches LifeSkills to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. SES has offered LifeSkills classes to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders since 2006.
Scottsburg Middle School began their LifeSkills program with 6th graders during the 2011-2012 school year. The school implemented 7th grade LifeSkills during the 2012-2013 school year and plans to start 8th grade this year. An employee of Scott County Partnership, Alexandra Brown, has been hired to teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grade LifeSkills this year, making this the first time that the entire middle school will have LifeSkills classes.
“I think LifeSkills is a successful program because they don’t just tell the kids to not do drugs,” says Alexandra Brown “instead the curriculum is based on skills like being assertive and resisting peer pressure. The class gives the students the skills they need in order make good choices in life.”
Contact: Alexandra Brown ali.brown@scottcountypartnership.org.