PreventEd SPIRIT Program
About the Program
SPIRIT (School-based Prevention Intervention and Resources IniTiative) is a state-funded program led by prevention educators from PreventEd. Since 1965, PreventEd has been the primary provider of substance misuse and violence prevention programs for youth (K-12) in the greater St. Louis area. The Ritenour School District has been participating in SPIRIT since 2007.
SPIRIT is for all 4th grade-high school students in the district. The goal of SPIRIT is to enhance what teachers and parents are already doing to reduce a young person’s risk of involvement with alcohol and other drugs. SPIRIT helps develop the skills and attitudes that will help students make positive, healthy choices.
At the elementary level, starting in 4th and 5th grade, SPIRIT lessons occur in your child’s classroom once a week for 14 weeks. These lessons will focus on skills that reduce the use of alcohol and other drugs such as respect, empathy, anger management, impulse control, problem-solving, and handling bullying situations.
At the middle school level, students receive lessons once a week for 8 weeks in their health classes. These lessons focus mainly on alcohol and other drugs, but also incorporate decision making, peer influence, and social media safety.
At the high school level, students receive lessons once a week for 5 weeks in their health classes. These lessons focus mainly on alcohol and other drugs, but also incorporate lessons about positive outlets and how to talk to someone you are concerned about.
PreventEd is proud to partner with the Ritenour School District for the SPIRIT program and values the relationship that has been built in the past 17 years.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the SPIRIT program please contact:
Jenny Mullen
SPIRIT Coordinator
314-962-3456 or jmullen@prevented.org
