Pubdate: Mon, 05 Sep 2005
Source: Potomac News (VA)
Copyright: 2005 Potomac News.
Contact:  http://www.potomacnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2924
Author: Keith Walker
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SUPERVISORS TO HEAR ABOUT "BE AWARE"

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will hear a presentation 
from the Prince William County police about a new program to teach children 
Internet safety and how to avoid gangs, drugs, alcohol and tobacco during 
the next board meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

The Basic Elementary Addiction, Wellness & Abuse Resource Education, or "Be 
Aware" program will replace the Drug Awareness Resistance Education or 
D.A.R.E. program.

The D.A.R.E. program, which started in 1987, does not allow the flexibility 
to meet the needs of individual schools or students, said County Executive 
Craig Gerhart.

Students today face different challenges than they did when the police 
started the D.A.R.E. program nearly two decades ago, and each school has 
different needs based on the community they serve, Gerhart said.

The Be Aware program is set up in modular sections that offer bullying 
prevention, personal safety and conflict resolution information. Each 
section can stand on its own or be taught as part of the wider curriculum 
in any grade level.

The police department is prepared to offer the program this school year.

Also on the board's agenda is a motion to authorize a public hearing at the 
request of Robert and Janet Wilcox who own the property at 13108 Foxhall 
Road in the Woodmont States subdivision in the Occoquan District

The Wilcoxes have renewed their request for a public hearing to remove the 
"park" designation on their property so they can build a single family home.

In exchange the Wilcoxes would agree, among other things, to pay for sewer 
and water leading to the house, pay the county $3,972 to be used for public 
parks and recreation purposes and $8,939 to be used for public school purposes.

The board will also vote to hold a public hearing to consider restricting 
parking of boat trailers and other similar vehicles on Seymore Road, Rodes 
Drive, Siebels and Shields ways in Gainesville.

A vote to change the scope of the Old Bridge Road Sidewalk Project to an 
asphalt trail between the west end of Oakwood Drive to Old Bridge 
Elementary School will also be before the board Tuesday.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday 
in the Board Chamber at the McCoart Center at 1 County Complex Road.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman