A program assessment

compiled by the school system's CARE Coordinator, Karen Spangler, at the

end of the 2001-2002 academic year indicates that both programs are helping

students make positive changes in the way they see themselves and interact

with others. Prior to implementing the Rainbows/Spectrum program, elementary,

middle and high schools across the county collectively reported that out

of the 375 students participating, 52 percent of them were experiencing

academic problems, 41 percent behavioral problems and 50 percent exhibited

social problems. After the program, academics improved 68 percent, behavioral

76 percent and social 74 percent.

Likewise, the

Second Step program, which is mainly designed for elementary and middle

school-aged students, showed similar successful results. At the elementary

level, empathy, problem solving and anger management skills of students

were up by 74, 73 and 65 percent respectively. The middle school level

saw a 62 percent increase in empathy, a 62 percent increase in problem

solving skills and a 50 percent increase in anger management.

"The focus

of the overall CARE program is to decrease violence in schools. If we

can teach children the negative effects of name calling, make them feel

good about themselves or teach them effective ways to problem solve, then

we can reduce violence," says Spangler.

While CARE

is helping to build stronger and safer school environments, it is important

to note that state funding, not local, covers all expenses of the program.

As CARE enters

into its 10 th year in Fayette, the program will be expanding

to include a new supplement designed to carry the message of positive

labeling to students at all school levels.

In the spring

of 2002, Braelinn Elementary became the first school in the United States

to become positive label or Kamaron Concept III (KC3) certified through

the Kamaron Institute. The institute was created by Peachtree City resident

Margaret Ross to help schools, businesses, organizations and homes become

a safe haven where only positive labels or words are used.

The entire

school, students, staff and faculty, learned about the effects of positive

labeling by reading Ross' book, "Casey and the Amazing, Giant, Green

Shirt."

The story centers

on a young boy named Casey who finds his grandfather's old Army shirt

and notices that a badge is missing from it. He asks his mother to make

him a badge to fill the space and she gives him the task of deciding what

the badge should say. Casey takes a whole week, choosing a different word

each day: special, brave, smart, nice, fast, patriotic and loved. Through

his journey to find the perfect word for his badge, he learns about the

joy of positive words and the pain of unkind ones.

After reading

the book, students, faculty and staff participated in activities where

they had to identify positive labels for themselves and others and share

them with the school.

Following Braelinn's

positive label certification, CARE coordinators throughout the school

system became interested in implementing the program. Based on meetings

held with counselors and CARE coordinators at various school levels, Ross

is in the process of writing a new book called "Casey and the Growing

Spurt," which features a teenage Casey and focuses on issues specific

to that age group such as peer pressure and the fear of being "left

out."

"We are

always actively seeking those opportunities where we can add programs

that cover kindergarten through 12 th grade. The whole foundation

of our student assistance program is that it is comprehensive, that's

why it has flourished," says Spangler.

According to

a survey given to 3,000 participants of the KC3 positive label program

in 2002, teachers reported that they experienced 53 percent less name-calling

and 56 percent more positive labeling following the implementation of

the program. Likewise, 100 percent of students surveyed reported a decrease

in school-wide name-calling.

It takes about

6 weeks to complete the KC3 program. Elementary schools interested in

implementing the program this school year will begin in late August. Middle

and high schools participating in the program will have their kick-off

in coordination with Red Ribbon Week, which celebrates safe, drug-free

and violence-free schools.

Through the

Kamaron Institute's and Kamaron Foundation's educational partnership with

the National Museum of Patriotism and being an Official Character Education

Resource, Fayette's teachers can also earn continuing education credits

through the program.

Kamaron Institute

president, Margaret Ross, says "We are delighted to join forces with

CARE and the National Museum of Patriotism to positively impact the world

of children and helping this excellent organization build its bridges

of caring throughout Fayette County."

Additionally,

Georgia's Center for Character Education has recently recognized the KC3

Positive Label program as a recommended program that works.