Think First

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Think First Stay Safe Child Lures Prevention
Program

• MCS Parent Information Night
• January 3, 2008

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History of Child Lures Prevention Program

• Child Lures is a nationally recognized program
  researched and written by Ken Wooden, a Shelburne
  VT resident.
• First published in 1986, it was most recently
  revised in 2006.
• Previously known as Child Lures the program is
  now Think First and Stay Safe!
• The program was first presented to students in
  all Catholic schools throughout the diocese in
  2005-2006.

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• As a component of our ongoing school safety
  program, MCS is continuing to present Think First
  and Stay Safe! to all students on an annual
  basis.

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What is Think First and Stay Safe! ?

• Think First and Stay Safe! is a personal safety
  program designed for students of all ages.
• It presents information to help protect children
  and teens from exploitation, abduction, Internet
  crime, drugs, and school violence.
• The program consists of a series of classroom
  presentations by the teacher and/or guidance
  counselor that generally take place over a period
  of 1-2 weeks.

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• The presentations are broken down by grade level
  (K-2, 3-6, 7-12).
• Given the subject matter, consideration is given
  to language and order of presentation.
• Additional lures that were added in 2006 include
  the online lure and the lure of hate and violence
  (bullying).
• Pre/Post tests are included to help evaluate what
  students are learning.

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• Different age groups receive different
  age-appropriate presentations.
• Pre-School will receive a special presentation
  developed by the classroom teacher and MCS
  guidance to help them begin to understand some of
  the basic concepts. The presentation is
  consistent with the K-2 presentation but with
  language and concepts scaled down
  age-appropriately.

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• Grades K-2 will learn about using our built-in
  computers, human weather conditions, the concept
  of luring, the concept of law, listening to our
  instincts, what is a stranger?, and the concept
  of dignity fostering self-esteem.

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• Grades 3-6 will learn about all of these same
  concepts as well as some specific lures.
• The affection lure, the assistance lure, the pet
  lure, the authority lure, the bribery lure, the
  ego/fame lure, the emergency lure, the fun
  games lure, the hero lure, the job lure, the name
  recognition lure, the playmate lure, threats and
  weapons, the online lure, and the lure of hate
  and violence.
• Remember, all discussions are age appropriate.
• The pornography lure and the drug lure will not
  be presented in the 3rd and 4th grades. However,
  they will be presented in the 5th and 6th grades
  in an age-appropriate manner.

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• Grades 78 will learn about all underlying
  concepts and all lures.
• The affection lure, the assistance lure, the pet
  lure, the authority lure, the bribery lure, the
  ego/fame lure, the emergency lure, the games
  lure, the hero lure, the job lure, the name
  recognition lure, the friendship lure, threats
  and weapons, the pornography lure, the drug lure,
  the online lure, and the lure of hate and
  violence.
• The topic of date rape will be presented in an
  age-appropriate manner.
• Again, remember that all discussions are age
  appropriate.

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Why do we do this?

• Although most situations and most people in this
  world are safe, some are not. The goal of this
  program and our effort is to help children
  recognize potentially unsafe people and/or
  situations and to provide them with knowledge and
  resources to know how to respond accordingly.
• Fire drills help children learn how to respond in
  case there is a fire or some other in-school
  emergency and they need to leave the building.

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• Lock-down drills help children learn how to
  respond in case there is an emergency in school
  or immediately outside of school and they need to
  stay quiet in a safe place.
• Think Fast and Stay Safe! is similar in nature
  but addresses different kinds of safety concerns.
• This information is relevant in todays world.
  We read stories in our newspapers daily about
  scary/abusive situations.

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• It is relevant in our community of
  greater-Burlington. It happens in our backyard
  too.
• School shootings in Essex in August 2006.
• Attempted abduction in Burlington in September
  2006.
• Ryan Halligan at AD Lawton Middle School in
  Essex.
• Some additional examples.
• Scary situations do happen and we owe it to our
  children and ourselves to be prepared.

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• Hopefully, our children will never need this
  information. However, if they do, we want them
  to have it.

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How have children responded?

• Very well. With interest and enthusiasm. No
  significant concerns to date.
• If a teacher or staff member does become aware of
  anything of concern, we provide the appropriate
  and necessary care to support the child and
  ensure that they are safe.

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What can parents do to help?

• It is important for parents to talk openly,
  honestly, and frequently with children about
  anything and everythingnot just this program.
• Communication is our best resource to help our
  children. Talk often and about anything. Build
  trust. Offer acceptance and support and
  guidance. Get outside help if you need it.

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• Talk with your children about this program
  specifically to help them better process and
  understand these issues. What did you talk about
  in class today? What did you think about it?
• Always be observant and involved in your
  childrens lives and activities.
• Encourage healthy growth and independence with
  appropriate guidance.
• Challenge the notion that it cant happen to me.

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Parent guides

• Please take your Parent Guide home and read
  through it.
• If you have questions, please call us at school
  (Mrs. Broomhall, Mr. Tremblay, Mr. Wood, and/or
  your classroom teacher.)

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Questions or concerns?

• Parent questions and concerns are appropriate and
  expected given the circumstances.
• Talk to us. We are here to help.
• If you need it, we can arrange to meet with you
  privately. Let us know.

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Thank you!