Project Northland
Project Northland is an alcohol prevention curriculum for 6th through 8th grade students.
C.A.P.A. launched the program in 2008 with all 6th grade students at the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School. The 6th grade curriculum is titled Slick Tracy and employs grade-specific tasks, exercises and activities in a variety of formats, including comic books and posters.
The comic-strip theme format serves to engage youth and their families in discussions about alcohol-related issues. Students follow the adventures of Slick Tracy and his comic book classmates in this peer-led, four-lesson program. Topics include facts and myths about alcohol use, alcohol advertising, peer pressure, and consequences of use.
The seventh grade program was implemented in the Fall/2009. Amazing Alternatives introduces students to “virtual classmates” through a weekly audio drama featuring students their age. Each classroom session involves peer-led experiential activities including group discussions, games, problem-solving challenges and role plays. The purpose is to change the acceptability of underage alcohol use and to encourage alcohol-free alternatives. H.U.D.D.L.E. students will be teaching the lessons during health classes for eight consecutive weeks. Each lesson, the seventh graders will bring home a “Home Team Hotline” parent information packet with tips and activities on how to communicate with your child about alcohol use. Several of the lessons will also include short homework assignments for the students to complete which encourage parent participation by promoting family communication.
The eighth grade program is scheduled to begin in the Februaryof2011. Power Lines, the third Project Northland curriculum, empowers eighth graders as emerging members of the adult community. Scheduled to begin in February/2011, the programming is going to be offered in Social Studies at the BBH Middle School. With new parent materials, shared peer leadership, re-enactment of a community controversy, and community projects, Power Lines gives students the opportunity to become positive influences within their community, school, peer groups, and with younger students.
Prevention Specialist, Kim Griffith, is coordinating the Project Northland programming. All Project Northland lessons are conducted by HUDDLE (Helping Us Develop Dedication, Leadership, and Enthusiasm) members once a month. HUDDLE is a drug and alcohol prevention group made up of 10th through 12th graders.