Preadolescent Drug Education
Seymore Says “Don’t Be A Bird Brain” Avoid Drug!
A Private Sector Substance Prevention Initiative
Developed in response to increasing data reflecting the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and substance exposure among preadolescent youth the Seymore D’ Fair Foundation has developed the Seymore Says, “Don’t Be A Bird Brain” Avoid Drugs! Program.
This exciting new prevention program developed by ‘educators for students’ illuminates the human brain and the effects of medicine and drug use and misuse. The program combines hands-on classroom activities, pre and post assessments and take-home components creating an imaginative and comprehensive learning experience for students while advancing parental and community engagement.
Goals & Objectives
With illegal and prescription drug abuse and addiction spreading across communities, it is critical that drug education begins during student’s “formative years.” This program is designed to:
Create an entertaining and thought-provoking vehicle, which teaches children 5-11 years of age that drugs are inappropriate and unacceptable for quality living
Introduce the concept of good & bad medicines and dangerous drugs and avoidance strategies that can deter or prevent first use
Assist School Districts in complying with LA RS 17:154 & 17:404, mandating all state Elementary and Middle schools provide 16 hours of annual drug prevention instruction, per student, per grade level.
Constructive and Active Learning Approach
The program utilizes multiple instructional and learning strategies, divided into four teaching units that meet local and national visual and language arts, health, and science education standards.
Learning Outcomes
The Seymore Says “Don’t Be a Bird Brain!” educational program is a health and science-based program focused on substance awareness and avoidance. The program follows an efficacy-based model of design and continuous measurement and improvement.
Program Delivery | Seymore’s Model schools
With classroom beta testing complete in spring of 2016, the program move to a scaled pilot program the fall of 2017.
Program Ambassadors & Champions
Kathleen Blanco | Former Louisiana Governor
James Pohlman | Sheriff, St. Bernard Parish
Mark Garber | Sheriff, Lafayette Parish
Newell Normand | Sheriff, Former Jefferson Parish
Joseph Lapinto | Sheriff, Jefferson Parish
Toby Aguillard | Police Chief, City of Lafayette
Leon Cannizzaro | District Attorney, Orleans Parish
Keith Stutes | District Attorney, Lafayette Parish
Fr. Pat Williams | Vicar General. Archdioceses of NO
Anna Larriviere | SuperintendentDiocese of Lafayette
Don Aguillard | Superintendent, Lafayette Parish Schools
Kevin Hartmann | CEO, DEA Educational Foundation
Seton Jenkins | Program Director, GNODDRC