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WINNER!
Ms. LaCarrieanne Kirkland from Southside High School -Dallas County, Selma- is the winner of the 2021-22 FOCUS Registration Contest! She has won the Bluetooth Koozie Cooler, T-shirts, and merchandise for the school's FOCUS members.
CONGRATULATIONS!
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NOW AVAILABLE!
Student Leadership Training Videos with PDF Handouts
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Facilitator Page
(Use your confidential password)
Scroll down to “Hero Leadership Training Videos”
We are excited to announce a partnership with Kent Julian for the HERO Leadership Training Series! In this series, Kent will be providing four interactive leadership training videos for Alabama FOCUS schools.
To view the training series please visit our website and select the FOCUS Facilitator Login page. When registering as a FOCUS School for 2021-2022, every facilitator received a confidential password to access the Leadership Training Video Series and other valuable resources to empower students to lead the prevention of adolescent risk behaviors in schools and communities across the State of Alabama. If you have any questions please contact April at [email protected].
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October Health Observances
We encourage all FOCUS schools to engage in at least one health observance activity each month. October has some excellent choices for students on your campuses to “Make a Difference” and to encourage their peers to participate.
1-31 Domestic Violence Awareness Month
1-31 National Bullying Prevention Month
1-31 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
6-12 Mental Illness Awareness Week
9 National Walk to School Day
11 National Depression Screening Day
23-31 Red Ribbon Week
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Debra Clark is the FOCUS
Assistant Director for West AL and the
Developer of Time to Stop Bullying App
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National Bullying Prevention Month (NBPM) and the signature event of the month, Unity Day, with a call to action to wear and share orange, is Wednesday, October 21, 2021. Throughout October, plan to use the new NBPM Student Activity Kit in K-12 classrooms or other youth settings. Through theme weeks, classroom projects, and student engagement, promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying in classrooms or other youth settings. For more ideas, visit National Bullying Prevention Month and Unity Day.
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We Have An App for That!
TIME To Stop Bullying
Available on Apple or Google Play
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TOGETHER WE CAN STOP BULLYING! |
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Every October, people all over the world show their support for people affected by breast cancer. Join FOCUS schools across the state to raise money for Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama! Raise awareness every way you can! |
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Alumnus of the Month
Every month we will highlight one of FOCUS' alumni!
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Congratulations to Dawson Kennedy, our October Alumnus of the Month!
Dawson is a graduate of Andalusia High School, where he served as a member of the Peer Helper/FOCUS Program for four years. He was also Key Club President and was involved with numerous organizations throughout school, as well as a City of Andalusia Youth Ambassador for two years.
According to Charlotte Spurlin, the Peer Helper/FOCUS Facilitator, “Dawson was a perfect fit for our club because he is a natural communicator. He is kind and generous, and his peers both respect and appreciate him. His optimism and generous spirit are contagious."
Dawson is currently a sophomore majoring in Electrical Engineering at Auburn University. He is also a member of the Auburn University Marching Band and an active member of the First Baptist Opelika College Ministry. Dawson spent the summer in Texas serving as a camp counselor to 2nd-5th graders at Pine Cove Silverado Summer Camp.
According to Dawson, "during my time serving as a peer helper I not only attended, but helped put on several FOCUS Rallies for students across south Alabama. These events helped educate and equip me to go and lead my friends and fellow students in preventing and spreading awareness of important issues within our school."
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Zoom Presentations Now Available!
Registered FOCUS schools may now schedule Zoom presentations on various topics including suicide prevention, stigma, tobacco prevention, dating/relationships, sexual health, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, effective communication, and emotional wellness. Other topics may be available upon request.
To schedule a presentation, contact Mrs. Kim Bailey at [email protected] or call (205) 910-3692.
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Stay up to date on everything that is happening with FOCUS by following us on social media! Don't hesitate, follow us today! |
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Amy McCreless, FOCUS/Peer
Helping Curriculum Coordinator
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Red Ribbon Week:
Red Ribbon Classroom Resources
Fall is an exciting, but busy time for teachers. With Red Ribbon Week just around the corner, we thought some ready-to-use resources would help! These engaging lessons integrate vocabulary, writing and problem-solving scenarios, plus they include videos and reproducibles.
The Ask, Listen, Learn lessons will enable your students to have a better understanding of brain development and the science behind why we say NO to alcohol and marijuana. They give you step-by-step instructions, and all handouts are ready to print.
Lessons can be taught to your entire class, but dividing your students into smaller focus groups would also work beautifully! You will find these free resources by visiting www.asklistenlearn.org/materials.
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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
FOCUS values continued partnerships with the following state and community organizations.
Alabama Department of Public Health
Alabama Department of Education
Alabama Campaign for Adolescent Sexual Health
Addiction Prevention Coalition
Children's Policy Council
Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
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