CHARLESTOWN Nevis, April 19th 2011 - Operation Future believes our teachers need resources in the schools to aid them in addressing the issues of gangs with the students. Last year Operation Future identified the “Street Peace Series” written by former gang member and co-founder of the Crips, Stanley Tookie Williams, and successfully obtained funding to purchase a set for every school in the Federation. That particular series targeted children in grades 4 to 6.
Recently we discovered “Cool Calvin” the creation of Mr. Ralph Burgess. In the Cool Calvin character Mr. Burgess has created as is described on BlackNews.com as “ a One of a Kind Book in Both English and Spanish That's Turning Educators' Heads Nationwide”
In No Bandanas for Me, Calvin convinces a schoolmate that gang life would only lead to a life of strife. Calvin urges him to confide in his teacher, guidance counselor, principal and police in order for him to break away from gang affiliation. Valuable life lessons are learned in this book that will enhance the life of any child.
In keeping with a consistent character education theme, there are lessons on empathy, responsibility, sympathy as well as civic duty. Calvin also makes children aware of how simply being an accomplice is a crime alone. He gives great advice on how to avoid becoming an accomplice as well as becoming adept at conflict resolution.
This book has received praise at all levels, has been profiled on NBC’s Today Show and can be found in over 600 schools in the United States of America and Operation Future is proud to bring the book to the schools in St Kitts and Nevis. With the assistance of author Ralph Burgess and through the financial supporters of Operation Future we are very proud to announce that we have purchased 90 copies of the Cool Calvin “No Bandanas for Me” books.
That on April 13th at a workshop for all student counsels in the Federation where Operation Future completed a presentation on Improving Discipline an your school; Recognizing and Reporting Indiscipline we also presented each primary school student counsel with 3 copies of the book and presented each secondary school counsel with one copy of the book.
Operation Future also launched our Mother’s Day initiative at this workshop where Operation Future encouraged the student counsel to consider a “Lets end the Mayhem” Campaign. Operation Future has partnered with Telca Wallace’s non-profit modeling agency Reign of Elegance. Reign of Elegance sponsors an annual Mother’s Day Hat Parade at Port Zante, this year they wish to pay tribute to the pain suffered by mothers as a result of the senseless violence and are encouraging children to do poems and pledges to their mothers to make the proud, to be responsible and to refrain from the violence destroying our nation. Operation Future has completed Mother’s Day cards that are blank on the face allowing children to complete their own art however, inside is the following pledge:
My pledge to you this Mother’s Day
“I have a bright mind
I have a good heart
I have a strong will
I know I am smart
I pledge today
To stay gang-free
And to uplift my village and country
No colours for me
I’m staying gang-free”
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