IMPACT

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT US?
"Our principals and teachers have also found the program to be effective in helping create a safer and more positive learning environment within the school building and helping students develop and strengthen relationships with peers and adults."
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Dr. Jay D. Badams | Superintendent of Schools | Erie’s Public Schools, PA​
​“Penn State CORE supports this application for proposal as an innovative prevention program that addresses the risk factors that lead to adolescent problem behaviors such as violence, school dropout, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and juvenile delinquency. This prevention model addresses risk factors at the critical time of grade three, which has been found by prevention researchers to be the key point in a young person's life to build positive character. It also addresses the issue of police-community relations, which is at a crisis point in America today.”​

Joseph H. Markiewicz | Co-Project Directory | Penn State CORE
www.buildingstrongercommunities.com/
“In today’s world, schools have the responsibility of not only educating our youth but also supporting and enhancing their social emotional well-being. This program has made this task less daunting with acknowledged results. Character: Be About It/Troopers Teaching Students is a curriculum driven program that promotes and encourages students to develop and strengthen their knowledge of character traits, essentially what is right from wrong, and also serves as a strong relationship builder between our youth and law enforcement officers.”

Thomas K. Washington | Superintendent of Schools | Crawford Central S.D.
“Trooper Harris had been working with 7th and 8th graders in some of the Erie Public Schools for the past couple years and the program has been well received by the students. I was very happy when I was asked about getting some of our City of Erie Police officers involved in the program. I look forward to our officers interacting with the students and building relationships that will help in the development of their character.”

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Police Chief Donald Dacus | City of Erie Police Department
"Our principals and teachers have also found the program to be effective in helping create a safer and more positive learning environment within the school building and helping students develop and strengthen relationships with peers and adults.
 
Schools have a responsibility to teach more than reading, writing and arithmetic. The 12 character traits inherent in the Be About It program not only promote and encourage learning while in school, but also help children become morally responsible, principled and self-disciplined members of our community — ready for success in college or career.”
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Dr. Jay D. Badams | Superintendent of Schools | Erie’s Public Schools, PA
“Character: Be About It was implemented at Maplewood Junior-Senior High School to 7th grade students during the 2014·15 school year. Trooper Steve Ulintz spends one full day per week focusing on the positive character traits of grit, integrity, kindness, zest, self-control, fairness, hope, optimism, gratitude, bravery, curiosity and social intelligence.
 
Our students and faculty have responded positively to this program. It fits nicely with our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative. Students can reach their full academic potential when they feel safe and supported in school. The Character: Be About it program is a valuable tool in helping students learn how to develop into productive and responsible citizens in our community.”

  Constance M. Youngblood | Superintendent of Schools | PENNCREST School District
Thank You Erie Community Foundation and Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.
The program advances education, diversity, community building, and urban revitalization. Ultimately, the long-term benefits include improved health and welfare of students, their families and communities.