Schools Launch "Be There" Program

If you've been influenced by the anti-smoking, fasten your seat belt, and Amber Alert campaigns, you'll understand the reasoning behind "Be There". It's a multi-media campaign launched today by the Hamilton county School District aimed at encouraging parents into a closer relationship with their children.

SUPT. JIM SCALES, HCDE "It's been focused and tested nationally..and it has shown that a grass roots effort with parents involved it crossed gender lines, crossed socio-economic lines..it crossed racial lines..it crossed racial lines."Posters are going up in all the local schools, and you soon see billboards with the Be There message. In addition, t-v and radio stations will be using public service announcements as part of the campaign. The students themselves will be enlisted by their counselors and social workers

to help them know what to expect from parents.LAKWESHIA TIBBS, HCDE FAMILY COORDINATOR "We're sending the message that parents, be there for your kids...with every opportunity you have to be with your kids...whether it's in the car..in the grocery store, be there for your kids."

The Be There promotion promotes activities that some adults have already started.

ETHELLYNN CARTER, GRANDPARENT "It's very important for for our kids to communicate to them..even young and up"

MAKALA BUMGARNER, MOTHER OF TWO "I think it's fantastic..I try to take every opportunity I have to talk to my children now. "

County Mayor Claude Ramsey, who has started a county reading program was on hand to remind parents.

MAYOR CLAUDE RAMSEY, HAMILTON COUNTY "What we're trying to do is get their attention ..Where they are willing to pay attention to what's happening with the child."

Be There is a 2-year 100-thousand dollar program. It's paid for by grants and donations.

That program has several corporate sponsors, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Unum, WDEF News 12 and Volkswagen.