For six weeks SJPD took over Mrs. Fajardo’s class on Friday afternoons . During these six weeks, students built a relationship with the two officers that presented the TEAM kids program. The officers, who came some days in full uniform and in street clothes on others, created an atmosphere in which the students felt comfortable asking questions. The weekly lessons varied in topic, but mostly focused on their role in the community. The officers taught students about Zero Tolerance, Choices and Consequences, Peer Pressure, Bullying & Harassment Prevention and lastly Gang Prevention.
The students were eager to learn about each topic. The officers’ stories in the field caught the students’ attention and helped them relate to them. The students eagerly asked questions and a few even wanted to know what they needed to do to become an officer one day. At the end of the six-week program, the students earned a certificate of completion, a shirt and a pencil. Ultimately, they learned how to make positive choices and become more knowledgeable of what is in their community, but they also formed positive relationships with a couple community officers.