“Why Try”

CIS of Carteret County sent Franklin Rice, School Resource Officer (SRO), at Broad Creek Middle School to Wilmington, NC in October 2007 to a regional “Why Try” workshop to be implemented as a pilot program at BCMS beginning January 2007.

The program was designed for middle school age youths to overcome challenges and improve outcomes in the areas of truancy, behavior, and academics. The idea of the “Why Try” program is straight-forward: Teach social and emotional principles to youth in away they can understand and remember. Such as resisting peer-pressure, obeying laws and rules, and that their decisions have consequences. The major learning styles are visual, auditory and body kinesthetic, all where addressed.

Thirteen, seventh grade students were selected by the schools principal, (Cathy Tomon). Parents also were required to give permission for their youth to be enrolled in the program, as well as, their parental participation was encouraged. The results of the six month program was outstanding, all students enrolled in “Why Try” improved in behavior, improved in academics, decreased negative office visits, all improved in their End of Grade (EOG) testing and all where promoted to the next grade.

Because of the success of the pilot at BCMS, CIS of Carteret County will offer training to all SRO’s at all of the counties Middle Schools to begin 2008.

Many thanks to Cathy Tomon and Franklin Rice for there support and partnership with CIS of Carteret County.

UPDATE:

As of January 2009, Beaufort Middle School joins Communities In Schools as its newest "Why Try" Program.

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