Amber Siratt & Cathy Perfect - Kern Valley Sun

The message was big, but the turnout was small at the Kernville Union School District’s safety meeting in Lake Isabella Thursday, March 11. Nancy Puckett, program coordinator for the Family Resource Center, began by explaining the district’s Comprehensive Safe School Plan to the handful of parents in attendance. 'The Comprehensive Safe School Plan covers the entire district including the preschool, Rio Vista Community School, Woodrow Wallace Schools, and Kernville Elementary School,' Puckett said. 'The plan covers a disaster plan for natural disasters, man-made disasters, or criminal disturbances that might occur on any of the campuses.'

The district received a five-year $500,000 grant that will run until 2011 and makes the 'Safe and Strong Schools' program possible. 'The district receives roughly $99,000 per year, which also provides funding for an additional Sheriff’s Deputy in the Kern River Valley. Puckett said the number one priority for safety is bullying, with number two being keeping kids safe at school. Kern County Sheriff’s Deputy and School Resource Officer Joe Garcia discussed the 'Second Step' program. Second step starts with the kids, he said. Because kids -nationally as well as locally - seem to suffer from an 'empathy deficit,' Garcia said, 'Every lesson starts with empathy. It's so cool. The kids are getting it. It all comes together. I mix in some real life and law enforcement situations.

'Research shows children who have less empathy shown towards them, are more likely to commit crimes. That's why every lesson starts with empathy,' Garcia said.

Project Alert, which has replaced the old DARE program, but is more more science-based than the old program. Project Alert focuses on educating kids about the dangers of alcohol, smoking, drugs. 'We reinforce the message with posters, problem solving, and role playing exercises,' Garcia said.

Another program that gives students more coping and critical-thinking skills tools is the 'Caring School Communities,'which replicates a community or town,' said Wallace Elementary School Principal Stephanie Pope. The classroom functions as community, and they set a goal as a classroom. 'Each teacher gets to formulate their own little town,' Puckett said.

'Drills help figure out what works and what doesn't and what needs to change,'said Garcia. Every drill is different. 'The students and staff have adapted very well (to lockdown drills). We've had three lockdown drills this year. Law enforcement is a part of it. They observe and come back and help us critique it,' said Wallace Middle Sschool Principal John Hanzlik. 'We have people on campus who know how to work with kids in a disaster situation.'

The district has scheduled another safety meeting for Tuesday, March 25, 5 p.m. at Kernville Elementary School. For more information call the district office at