Dr.
Charles Lindsey, Superintendent
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Date:
October 14, 2002
SAVE Program gets new life
After five years in Knox County Schools, the SAVE program was in danger of termination because the organization that had previously provided the grant funding for the program was no longer able to do so. HealthSpex, a local health-related technology firm, has provided the $7,500.00 needed to procure the materials needed to allow the program to continue for another year.
“This program and the materials provided have been exceptionally well received by the elementary level guidance counselor’s,” said Jo Terry of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Alliance. “SAVE is a national project of the American Medical Association Alliance. In Knox County the project is implemented as a collaborative effort between the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Alliance and the Community Coalition on Family Violence,” she said. Mrs. Terry is also the executive director of the coalition.
A pilot program was conducted in 1997 at Christenberry Elementary School and expanded the following year to include all Knox County Elementary Schools.
“ We are happy to see this project continue,” said Nancy Merritt, Knox County Schools administrator for the Office of Student Assistance Services. “The SAVE program has been a sound addition to the tool kit teachers and counselors have available to use in teaching children non-violent behaviors.”
The program uses a number of materials that are provided to participating schools. The hands-on educational materials are prepared for distribution by volunteer physicians’ spouses who are members of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Alliance. Materials provided to the schools include:
Hands Are Not For Hitting placemat - designed for use with non-readers. This activity involves tracing a child’s hands and discussing with an adult the good ways the child can use his/her hands. This is used with Kindergarten students.
Hands Are Not For Hitting booklet - an extension of the placemat. The child traces his hands and goes step by step through a coloring book activity to specific applications.
I Can Choose - a coloring booklet that discusses how a child can make good choices in behavior, including playground situations. Anger management is the theme.
I Can Be - discusses how a child can act kindly and considerately toward others.
I Can Handle Bullies – is the newest booklet and discusses ways a child can deal with the problem of bullying.
“The effort in Knoxville provides one of the largest target populations of any effort in the country,” said Terry. “The collaborative partnership between the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Alliance and the Community Coalition on Family Violence demonstrates the kind of non-profit cooperation that addresses a serious community problem.”
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Point of contact at Knox County Schools Public Affairs Office is Russ
Oaks, 594-1905