Students from Chicago Heights School District 170's REACH (Redefining Educational Alternatives in Chicago Heights) Program recently visited the South Chicago Heights Public Safety Complex for a field trip on personal and public safety.
SCH Police Chief William Joyce provided a presentation on decision making, gun violence, and drugs that was specifically created to address a juvenile audience.
Joyce also discussed with the students the many ways in which their environment can impact their perception of themselves.
Students attended a class in the joint Police/Fire Training Classroom, enjoyed a tour of the police/fire station, and explored a police squad car.
"This field trip provided a learning experience for students that adressed personal safety and social-emotional health while affording an opportunity for School District 170 and the SCH Police Department to partner together and provide a positive police experience with the students," said REACH Program Director Christopher Baikauskas.
In addition to Chief Joyce who led the presentation and tour, Deputy Chief Timothy Wehrle, Officer Reginald Jones, and Detective Sergeant Jake Kozinski spoke to the students about drugs, gang violence, the importance of making correct decisions, and ways of overcoming adversity in life.
John Strickland, an eighth-grader in the REACH Program enjoyed the field trip, especially the positive attitudes and advice given by the presenters.
"The officers made us feel as if we could do anything if we stick to it," he said.
"I appreciated the information about drugs and about the bad things that drugs can do to you. In the end, it's not a hard choice to not do drugs."