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DEA
Dallas School Partner Program
In
the early 1990’s the Dallas Field Division of the Drug Enforcement
Administration was considering becoming more active in its’ community.
In October of 1992 Jean Reed, an employee of the DEA, contacted the principal
of Sequoyah Learning
Center. She had an idea of partnering with the school to aid in the education
of students. Of course, one of their first activities was the “Say No To
Drugs Pep Rally.” DEA employees performed skits and raps to communicate
the positives of a drug free life. Today, the DEA continues its’ drug and
alcohol prevention efforts at Sequoyah through rallies, incentives and other
activities.
![photo - chemists and students](dallas_community_programs_school.jpg)
Buddies - Chemist Kiana Hamlett, student Tina, Chemist Mary Gay,
and student Taran. |
This
school year, a team of 15 DEA employees acted as mentors and tutors
to the students at Sequoyah. They worked one- on - one with
students in math and reading.
They offered individual attention to those students in need of academic enrichment.
During the fall semester DEA employees pooled their resources and purchased
bicycles, helmets and locks for the Center’s A and B Honor
Roll Students and the Perfect Attendance Students. In the past
12 years more than 52 DEA employees
have mentored and tutored Sequoyah students.
As
the partnership has progressed different programs have been created.
Each summer the Pen-Pal program takes place where mentors/tutors
and their students
write letters to each other throughout the vacation months. DEA has sponsored
fieldtrips and aided with community service projects such as the Sequoyah
Annual Penny Drive. Their activities have extended to social and
cultural enhancements.
Each year DEA sponsors a Black History program at the Dallas Division facilities.
Sequoyah students are not only spectators but also participants. They are
invited to the Dallas Field Office not only for a tour but to job
shadow their mentors.
As an incentive to students that have performed at their academic best the
DEA Dallas Division gives a party at an area Dave and Busters Restaurant
each spring.
All activities are done in an effort to broaden the horizons of Sequoyah
students, giving them access to new experiences.
Each
year DEA Dallas employees donate clothing for the school’s clothes
closet. The Coat Drives have garnered enough items to last the entire winter.
This has proven to be very beneficial to students and parents, particularly new
students that arrive in need of appropriate clothing and outerwear. School Supply
Drives are also on the annual agenda. Each September DEA employees deliver boxes
of supplies with such items as pencils, paper and backpacks. The Drug
Enforcement Administration does its part to ensure that Sequoyah students are prepared to
learn.
Sequoyah
Principal Marcus D. Forney said, “The DEA has been a
loyal and vital supporter of the students of Sequoyah Learning
Center. In terms of their commitment and support it is unparalleled.
Each year
they provide selected students an opportunity for site visits of
their organization. This gives the students an opportunity to
be able to connect
their learning community with the real world of work. Additionally
the DEA provides our campus with positive role models to mentor
and tutor
our students. This is especially beneficial considering that over
30% of our population of students is being raised by either grandparents
or a single parent. More importantly, I think their presence on
our campus
teaches our students through words and deeds that you can make
it if you put your mind to it.”
E.
Rodgers, a 4th grade teacher at Sequoyah remarked, “I am truly
thankful for the Drug enforcement Administration tutors that devote
time to our students at Sequoyah Learning Center. Their consistency
has become evident in the lives of my students. They look forward to
their coming each week and remind me of the days that they are to attend.
Their effectiveness is also apparent through the knowledge that the
students gain from their special time together. The students look forward
to showing the tutors what they remember and explaining the process
through which they obtain an answer.I also appreciate the extra steps
that some have taken by purchasing incentives for the children such
as spirals, flash cards, etc. I truly appreciate all the time that
these unique individuals give to help in the lives of the students
of Sequoyah.”
The dedication and devotion of the DEA volunteers to the Sequoyah Learning
Center of Dallas, a local inner-city school, has earned the DEA Dallas
Field Division the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) Partner
of the Year Award, which will be presented on May 24, 2004. It should
be noted that this group of volunteers was chosen over 150+ other nominations
submitted by schools in the DISD.
In a Volunteer
Appreciation Luncheon sponsored by Sequoyah Learning Center on May
7, 2004, the principal of Sequoyah, Mr. Marcus Forney, during his speech,
stated that the DEA volunteers’ gifts of talent, time, treasure and tenacity
are immeasurable. He highlighted three points, which described the volunteers
1) Heroes and Role Models: “Many are touted as heroes because they can
bounce a ball really well, score touchdowns, sink a small white ball into a
hole. However, these folk are usually untouchable. The true heroes are the
volunteers who are reachable, as my students cannot call LeBron James, Michael
Jordan, Troy Aikman, Barry Bonds, or Tiger Woods. My students can call you,
the volunteers, and receive a response. Because of you, my students have hope;” 2)
Hard Work: “The volunteers show our students another way of life and
instill in them the desire to do something with themselves and make something
of themselves. Your emphasis on hard work lets our students know that they
can’t get something for nothing. You show through your lives that anything
can be achieved, mastered or conquered through perseverance;” 3) Preparation: “Volunteers
teach our students that proper preparation always prevents poor performance.
You teach them that the great thing in this world is not so much where we are,
but in “what direction we are moving. When you think you’re not
making a difference, indeed you are. It’s just that some students tend
to bloom later than others do. The impact you leave on the lives of our children
is limitless. A child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every
passer by leaves a mark.” He ended his speech to the volunteers by stating, “If
you get tired and it seems like your efforts are not making a difference, don’t
quit. Just sit down, rest a while, and get up and fight some more. Continue
impacting children and making a difference in this world.”
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