Flagler Schools Partners With Neighboring School Districts, 7th Circuit's R.J. Larizza for Initiative

Flagler Schools, along with Volusia County Schools, Putnam Schools, and St. Johns County districts, have partnered with 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza to usher in Northeast Florida's "Safety First, Success Always" initiative. This initiative was created to "help better address substance use (vaping/THC/fentanyl) and violence (fighting/threats/guns), which are happening in our schools and communities circuitwide," according to State Attorney Larizza's website.

The four-county collaboration was announced in an August press conference and has three pillars: Education, Awareness, and Accountability. It introduces new required curriculum throughout all four school districts. Five hours of character, life skills, and resiliency health education will be implemented in grades 6 through 12. Additionally, assemblies will be held that educate all grade levels about the dangers of substance use and violence. 

Education and public service announcements will be provided for parents and students to ensure that all parties understand what resources are available to them.

"We can bring those resources together and have them at our fingertips so we can be preventative," said Volusia County Schools' Superintendent Balgobin. "But also if we need to react we have the right interventions in place."

Dr. Balgobin stated that this initiative and communication will empower communities to "act accordingly" through awareness.

"We are also implementing circuit-wide consequences for students who engage in substance use and violence," said St. Johns County School District Superintendent Forson. 

"As we together address a common issue," said Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore, "we address it with common consequences as well as common educational opportunities for our students."

"This is what a village looks like," added Superintendent Balgobin. "Coming together to really be proactive when it comes to keeping our children and our community safe." 

Click on the video below to watch "The Health Impacts of Vaping," the initiative's first public service announcement (PSA). 

For additional mental health and wellness resources available throughout our community, please visit the Mental Health & Wellness page on the Flagler Schools website. 

Mental Health & Wellness