Here is how the K.I.D.S. Program works……
The K.I.D.S. program begins for students in the home school classroom. Your Grade Six Teachers teach two one-hour lessons on Mental Health and Healthy Relationships modules of the program. An advantage for students is that the teachers can provide support to their students and may provide additional information and resources as needed after the program concludes.
Students and their classroom teacher are then provided with a reserved date to attend the balance of the K.I.D.S. program experience at the Children’s Safety Village. Bus transportation for the class is booked and paid for by the T.I.C.K. board to ensure that the program is universally accessible to all Grade 6 students.
The Children’s Safety Village provides a flexible, student-friendly place to learn and allows students to enjoy an off-site learning experience that makes their day special. Throughout the day, students investigate the online and social media, Youth and the Law and Substance Awareness modules of the program through lectures, media presentations, discussions, and collaborative activities. Staff from the Brantford Fire Service is on hand to provide grade-appropriate fire safety training.
After the K.I.D.S. program concludes, all students are provided with a certificate of completion and a special K.I.D.S. Toque provided by the T.I.C.K. board to acknowledge and celebrate their learning.
Students have access to the entire K.I.D.S. program for sharing and review at any time. We encourage students, along with their teacher or parent, to explore the Extension Activities that are a part of the K.I.D.S. dashboard. These activities provide students with the opportunity to think further about what they have learned through the K.I.D.S. program experience and apply knowledge, skills, and strategies to consolidate their learning. In addition to being great “discussion starters”, they are also fun!
K = Knowledge: What do I need to know?
I = Issues: What do I need to talk about?
D = Decisions: How do I make smart choices?
S = Supports: Where do I go for help?
This is a universal access program, provided free of charge for all students in grade 6 in the city of Brantford including workbooks, transportation to the Children’s Safety Village, certificates of program completion and t-shirts.
K.I.D.S. is a proactive and preventative program to create early intervention and awareness.
K.I.D.S. is a reconfigured and updated version of the former D.A.R.E. program to address issues that will be encountered by children in our community now and assists them in navigating the challenges of today.
The content of the K.I.D.S. program is consistent with the learning outcomes identified by the Ministry of Education for Grade 6 and takes place from November to March each year.
The K.I.D.S. program focus includes:
- Youth and the Law
- Peer to Peer Relationships
- Online and Social Media Awareness
- Drug Awareness
- Mental Health Awareness