LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Veronica Cantu,

Laredo, Texas:  Bonnie Garcia Elementary School maybe known as the “Home of the Mighty Stallions” but now they will be known as one of the first elementary schools in the State of Texas, to officially pilot the radKIDS program, a personal empowerment safety education program for students-school wide. 

 “Indeed, we are honored,” said Bonnie Garcia Elementary Principal, Clare Flores, who told students at a kick-off assembly that they too should be proud about pioneering a program that promotes and emphasizes their safety.  Schools across the State will be “following our lead” for many years to come, she explained to them. 

 This is actually the second year, the United Independent School District implements the Program.  Currently, radKIDS it is being taught at all of the District’s 26 elementary schools to second grade students with the assistance of school counselors and P.E. coaches.  However, Bonnie Garcia Elementary will be the first campus in the District, and in Texas, that will implement the program with an entire campus which amounts to about 1,000 students. 

 Stephen M. Daley, founder of the Program explained radKIDS is a personal empowerment safety education curriculum that provides students with the tools and skills they need to recognize, avoid, resist and escape violence, abduction or harm.  The curriculum involves a classroom lecture and activity training drills that cover the following topics:  home, school, and vehicle safety; out and about safety; realistic defense against abduction; good-bad-uncomfortable touch; stranger tricks (including physical defense against abduction); and self-realization of personal power.

 At the assembly, Daley reminded students about the three life skills which serve as the underlying foundation of the radKIDS program. 

 They are: 

 Rule #1:  No one has the right to hurt me, because I am special.

#2:  I do not have the right to hurt anyone else (including myself) unless someone is trying to hurt me, and then I can stop them.

 Rule #3:  If anyone tries to hurt me, trick me or make me feel bad inside or out, it’s not my fault, so I can tell.

 “We believe this program will help to establish a zero victimization school culture and build every child’s self esteem,” said Lisa Haberkorn, UISD athletic and radKIDS coordinator, who went on to say that the radKIDS program had begun to focus on developing school wide programs two years ago with a campus in Utah and had success, which led to wanting to develop this same model in Laredo and Texas where school populations were larger. 

 “The thought of creating the first school wide initiative started with an inquiry from Daley and Sylvia Bruni from the Children’s Advocacy Center.  Bonnie Garcia Elementary School enthusiastically said “yes” to developing a model in Laredo and throughout Texas.