Pubdate: Thu, 18 Oct 2006 Source: Daily Home, The (Talladega, AL) Copyright: 2006 Consolidated Publishing Contact: http://www.dailyhome.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1632 Author: Denise Sinclair SCHOOLS GET GRANT FOR BRIDGES PROGRAM SYLACAUGA --City schools received a $60,000 grant from Gov. Bob Riley to provide after-school activities geared toward keeping youngsters away from alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs. Working with the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement, the school program provides the BRIDGES and BRIDGES, Too, programs for 60 students, ages 8 to 14, at Pinecrest Elementary School, Nichols-Lawson Middle School and B.B. Comer elementary and middle schools. Students in the BRIDGES programs will participate in several after-school activities designed to enrich their lives, including homework assistance, music and dance classes, fitness programs, computer instruction and educational field trips. They also will be taught how to make wise choices through drug and violence prevention programs. In addition, parents will have an opportunity to learn through the BRIDGES programs. Parenting classes will be offered, as well as skills and job training, GED preparation, literacy development and healthy lifestyles education. Dr. Kelly Wesley Lakey, student services coordinator for Sylacauga schools, said the quality of education students receive is the cornerstone of any community. Sylacauga City School System's purpose is to serve the needs of its youths by providing excellent educational programs that reflect the values and character of the community, she said. Community involvement strengthens the School System, and school officials strive to involve the entire community for their commitment to excellence in education, she said. Currently the schools offer a vast array of programs that improve the lives of students. "We are aware of the ever-existing availability of drugs and alcohol that plagues our youth," Lakey said. "We conduct yearly surveys to identify student levels of drug use, violence and other related behaviors, and then we develop our plans to address those needs. Talladega County Children's Policy Council needs assessment identified education and intervention programs as key components to providing effective services to the at-risk population." The BRIDGES program is a collaborative effort between the Talladega County and Sylacauga city school systems. The program will allow the system to extend the BRIDGES youth development program in an effort to provide academic enrichment activities to meet the needs of more students. By creating more positive learning opportunities, students will develop a sense of belonging and ownership of the school and to each other, Lakey said. "This sense of belonging will encourage positive relationships between students. Opportunities for meaningful participation and involvement will foster resiliency. Resiliency skills influence a student's decision to experiment with drugs or alcohol early in life. By strengthening these skills, we hope to reduce the rate of drug or alcohol abuse by students in our school system," she said. In an announcement about the grant, Riley said, "I commend officials and community leaders in Sylacauga for taking a proactive stand against substance abuse. This grant will ensure these children have a better opportunity to develop their minds and talents and become productive citizens." The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will administer the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Education. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine