There is a new program that has been offered to students in Wilkie
KeepSafe, created and instructed by Norman Carter teacher Paul Marek, underwent its first go round in the community last month. Starting at the beginning of March, a KeepSafe course was offered for three Wednesday evenings, to the Grade 5 and 6 girls of Norman Carter, along with their mothers.
The course, true to its name, taught different components to the students.
"I learned about what personal space is, how to spot a possible predator, how to say 'no' and how to keep myself safe," says one student.
The course has been offered in the past throughout Saskatchewan, mainly in Saskatoon and Northern communities. But it hasn't just been the students who have benefited from it; staff members from many different schools and school divisions have received in-services for the program.
"I imagine that around 3,000 to 4,000 children have received the course directly from me, and an additional 10 or so school staffs trained in offering the program," Marek says.
"About 10 years ago there was a big push to get anti-bullying courses and programs into the schools. I began researching various courses and discovered that there was no practical course on 'safety from dangerous people,'" says Marek.
"So, I deviated from the 'bullying' theme and instead began to search for literature on the topic of predatory individuals and violent individuals. Eventually I wrote a program using commonalities found in most of the literature."
The course focused on assisting potential victims in making themselves less likely to be targeted by predatory adults or peers, He explains.
Several Saskatoon schools helped pilot the program.
"During the piloting phase I took out all concepts that did not naturally interest children or which ended up being too complex. I wanted to focus on common sense ideas that children could easily grasp and put into practice.
"I also included roll play and real life stories.
Marek ended up with three different programs that included complete teaching packages for schools. The three courses were Kindergarten to Grade 4 or 5; girls Grade 6+ (or 5); and boys Grade 6+ (or 5).
"Grade 5 and 6 are transition years, where the concepts from the children's course and the course for young adults apply. Usually schools placed children into either course, depending on the maturity level they had attained," he explains.
He says once in Grade 6, the issues for boys and girls become somewhat different, so that is why there are two different courses based on gender.
The course was well received with 28 participants coming out.
"The feedback is always positive because there are many concepts in the course that most children and adults haven't considered before, but which make perfect sense," Marek says.
"The KeepSafe program had mature and serious information and Mr. Marek presented it in a way that made my daughter and I feel comfortable with the discussions," observed one mother.
The Grade 7 and 8 girls of McLurg High School along with their mothers and teachers were given the opportunity to participate in the course during the first two weeks of April.
And although it was the first year the course was held in Wilkie, it may run again but Marek says, it all depends on interest and timing.
"For example," he says, "we may offer the course again in Norman Carter in two years, as there will be a whole new group of Grade 5 and 6 girls at that time."
