ROUND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL FIRE DESTROYS OFFICER’S CIVIC BOOKS

August 03, 2010
Contact: Lara Slifko 602-340-7235
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ROUND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL FIRE DESTROYS OFFICER’S CIVIC BOOKS
School Resource Officer (SRO) Must Rebuild Education Resources Before School Year
 
[EAGAR, AZ] –Officer Robert Suggs had just been assigned as the School Resource Officer (SRO) to Round Valley High School when a small plane crashed into the high school destroying much of the school. Included in the destruction was the office of Officer Suggs and law related education student resource materials. 
 
Officer Suggs joined the Eager Police Department 9 months earlier, and when he heard that the previous Round Valley High School SRO had resigned he jumped at the opportunity
 
 “Being an SRO in Phoenix was my favorite position as an officer” stated Officer Bob Suggs, “I’m able to take what I learned in my masters program and apply it to my work as a police officer.” 
 
Officer Suggs earned his M.A. in Education with an emphasis on curriculum and development. The SRO positions come from the Arizona Department of Education’s School Safety & Prevention program. Approximately 118 SRO’s are in schools across Arizona. The past few years of budget cut backs have made the loss of resource materials even more difficult to replace. The cuts have eliminated nearly 60 SRO positions: There were 175 SRO’s in schools in 2009. Without funding for officers, it makes it all the more difficult to find funding for resource materials needed.
 
 
“Any law related materials, books and curriculum that teachers and the general public have that they could lend our school would be wonderful,” said Suggs. “We just want students to not be affected by the fire.”
 
All donations can be sent to the Round Valley High School or to the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education.
 
 
About the Law Related Education
Law Related Education (LRE) is the teaching of rules, laws and the legal system that actively involves students to prepare them for responsible citizenship. LRE provides instruction in legal rights, responsibilities and the role of the citizen and requires students to practice the application of law in potential real-life situations. http://www.azflse.org/azflse/library/index.cfm
 
About the School Safety & Prevention Program
The School Safety & Prevention is a program of the Arizona Department of Education. The mission of School Safety and Prevention is to provide leadership and resources that promote positive youth development and school safety and thereby enhance the academic achievement of Arizona youth.
 
About the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education
The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education provides technical and financial assistance to legal aid organizations, schools and community groups. The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education promotes “Access to Justice for All Arizonans” by supporting law-related education and free legal services and by promoting statewide collaborative efforts. 
 
Helpful Websites:
·         Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education: www.azflse.org  
·         Arizona Department of Education’s School Safety & Prevention: http://www.ade.state.az.us/sa/health/
 
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