FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

PR01-009

Contact:

Date:

Sergeant Clarence Huber

May 18, 2001

(404) 730-4148
  

 
Bethune Elementary Students to Graduate From Gang Resistance Program, Monday
 

Fourth and fifth grade students at Bethune Elementary School will graduate from Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) on Monday, May 21st. To celebrate the occasion, one hundred and fifty-nine (159) graduate students will be recognized for their efforts during a special ceremony at the school beginning at 1:15 pm. Each student who participated in the program will receive a graduate t-shirt and a personalized G.R.E.A.T. Certificate of Accomplishment.

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office has been teaching the national G.R.E.A.T. program to county middle schools since 1994. This year, the department expanded G.R.E.A.T. to the elementary level. Bethune is the first elementary school in the city of Atlanta to receive the G.R.E.A.T. program.

During the past four weeks, students at Bethune received specialized training from a uniformed deputy of the Fulton County Sheriff's Office. Throughout the program students were educated on important issues, like "Violence", "Respect" and "Cultural Awareness". In each class session, students received words of encouragement along with class incentives in an effort to build self-esteem and self-confidence.

The G.R.E.A.T. program at Bethune Elementary was made possible by a generous contribution by the Fulton County Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 64. For the past four years, the FOP has been very supportive of the sheriff's department and the G.R.E.A.T. program.

Bethune Elementary School is located at 220 Northside Drive, across from the Georgia Dome Stadium.

 

For further information, please contact Sergeant Clarence Huber at (404) 730-4148.  Sergeant Huber can also be reached on his digital pager at (404) 833-8884.