We Love Our SROs and Their Commitment to Kids!

Too often in today's world, social media and mass media paint an unflattering picture of law enforcement based on the poor decisions made by a few within their ranks across the nation.  I am here to tell you that we are very grateful for our School Resource Officers (SROs) in Jefferson County Schools.

Most families and community members see them supervising at the ball games, talk to them as they handle issues within or outside of the school, or observe them dealing with traffic around the schools.  My friends, they are so much more!  Let me give you one example. 

Each summer for the last several years, the SRO Division of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has sponsored a NYPUM program here at our school.  If you have ever driven by the school and seen dirt bikes on the baseball field and wondered what was going on, that is a picture of committed law enforcement officials working to grow young people outside of the classroom setting.

NYPUM is the National Youth Project Using Minibikes.  The program sponsored by our SROs is led by deputies who are fully trained and certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.  The program combines the incentive of riding dirt bikes and a love for outdoor activity with the opportunity to be mentored by outstanding law enforcement officials.

The multi-week program offers boys and girls the opportunity to build character, overcome adversity, and learn to ride dirt bikes in a safe and structured environment.  The partnership between the student, the family, the school, and the SROs encourages good grades, good behavior, good attendance, and skill development on the NYPUM course.

At one time, SROs were most prominently associated with the D.A.R.E. program in our schools (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), working to help them steer clear of drug use. They work with students on a daily basis, however, in so many day-to-day encounters encouraging positive decision making, and developing good character, in addition to ensuring our students and staff are able to come to school in a safe learning environment.

Over the past several years the NYPUM program at Corner Middle School has seen significant growth with many parents expressing interest in their students participating in the summer months.  As opposed to previous years, the SROs leading the program have committed to two full groups at the school.  The two groups of eight meet on Mondays and Wednesdays to participate.  Several NYPUM participants are completing their second and third year of the program and act as models and leaders for first-year participants.  The NYPUM program is also held at other school campuses across the Jefferson County School District.

We would like to thank our School Resource Officer, Deputy Steven Drake, and all of the other deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department who are committed to leading this program and teaching another generation of young people self-discipline, character, and overcoming adversity in such a fun program!  

If you are interested in your student participating in the NYPUM program next summer, please contact the school office in May for more information.