By Priscilla Greear

Staff Writer

ROME-As it fills middle school students with the fuel of knowledge needed to travel the fast-paced, academic road ahead, St. Mary's School also injects its students with practical skills on how to avoid sharp collisions by making good decisions.

Through the three-L process of listening, learning and loving, the program's mission is to guide, direct and nurture students as they develop. At a time when students struggle with everything from acne to identity, the "Wise Choices Program" helps them to think through their choices and steer clear of destructive behavior, often prompted by peer pressure. And, according to Principal Susan Odle, as they make good choices they grow in spirit.

"(It's about) teaching the children they have the capacity to make wise choices, the capacity of making decisions that are acceptable and it shows them what happens if you don't make wise choices."

The program builds self-confidence, she added.

"It helps them to realize that in actuality basically they can do the right thing while they're adolescents. It's about helping them find the things that they are strong in and building on them-their strengths, their talents, their gifts-and expanding upon those gifts and that in turn builds self-confidence."

Through the program for grades six through eight, national speakers and those from the community, including parents, regularly talk during the school day to students and answer questions on hot youth topics such as dating, decision-making, anorexia, money management and driving safety. Youth also watch videos and use a lending library with self-help books on topics such as how to be a highly effective teen, drug and alcohol abuse, career choices and study habits. Field trips to the local jail, youth detention center and juvenile court offer a first-hand look at the consequences of bad decisions.

Middle school director Janet Byington, who designed the program funded by the Raskob Foundation and implemented it two years ago, said it reaches youth while they'll still listen.

"(We) felt that the Catholic school was the ideal place to implement a program like this because it considers choices and consequences. It allows (one) to teach children, to teach at a time when they're still teachable," she said. "The key is to get them to think before they're put into the position where they have to act."

Byington said that students are searching for their identities during middle school.

"I think when they come in this school they need to have information given to them that allows them to make the right choices and decisions," Byington continued, noting that making good decisions enables them to grow in their faith.

The program also lends a hand and ear to parents, as speakers come about four times yearly to talk on topics including parenting, discipline and instilling faith. Parents may also check out books from the lending library and refer to a list of local support groups.

"A lot of times parents won't ask somebody if they have a problem but they will pick up a book off the shelf and get some information for whatever problem they're going through at the time," Byington said.

Odle believes parental involvement is an essential ingredient.

"One of the biggest things that makes it a success is that it extends to the parents and helps them direct the children to make wise choices. Many times parents don't know what to do...So many parents are beside themselves and don't know how to approach certain situations."

Casting aside their grade books, teachers are available to meet with students and parents to discuss and sort through critical issues.

"We do want our students to feel like they can talk to the teachers. We find that at this age children may want to talk with someone other than a parent so we really encourage staff and parents to be good listeners."

Apparently, the program was a wise choice for St. Mary's. Byington, who initiated the program because of low middle school enrollment, said that enrollment increased from 38 students last year to 58 this year "which is a dramatic increase for us."

She's received a lot of positive feedback from parents and has seen behavior changes in students, who often share information they learn with other students.

"I've watched our ninth- and 10th-graders who've been through this program. I've watched them going to other schools and not be followers, (but) be more (like) leaders and not give in to peer pressure or drugs and alcohol and I'd like to think it is because of St. Mary's and Wise Choices."

Byington believes that students develop a healthy self-image through the program because of the one-on-one attention they receive as well as St. Mary's faith formation, where they learn daily of Christ's love.

Eighth-grader Steven Acocella likes the teachers' and guest speakers' straight-forward approach. He particularly liked watching videos related to dating relationships and sexuality.

"We can ask them anything that we want to. They give us an honest answer," he said. "...(There are) a lot of things out there that I don't know about and I just learn if I ask them--like why people do things like have sex out of marriage."

Acocella appreciates the honest responses of the speakers and finds the discussions informative.

"Everything they talk about is good. I learn from all things," he added.

As Byington sees the program reach youth, she plans to spread the good news. She is preparing to send out information to and make presentations at other Catholic schools, and in February, she will discuss the middle school program at a convention for the Institute for School and Parish Development.

"Our goal is to pass this program onto other Catholic schools across the nation," she said.