Clinton Rosette Middle School (CRMS) students have been involved in “Reality Illinois,” a statewide prevention program, facilitated by the DeKalb County Health Department. In support of National Kick Butts Day held on Wednesday, March 15, students participated in a local cigarette litter cleanup.
Reality Illinois is a grant funded program that empowers young people to work with local governing bodies to adopt policies that create healthier communities related to tobacco policy and prevention. The DeKalb County Health Department coordinates the sessions to engage youth for positive change.
In addition to the park cleanup, student’s created t-shirts to promote National Kick Butts Day. Twenty-six seventh and eighth grade students participated in the park cleanup at the DeKalb Park District. Students were able to collect 1,686 cigarettes and other various tobacco litter including cigarillos and packaging.
The health department joined forces with CRMS to provide the Reality Illinois program to students who want to be involved with community and policy initiatives related to tobacco. In conjunction with the support and partnership of Jen Gammelgaard, School Counselor at CRMS, Chessa Kendrick facilitates the Reality Illinois program. Chessa is the Health Promotion Specialist at the DeKalb County Health Department.
“Kick Butt’s Day” is an opportunity for the students to raise awareness and educate others on the harmful effects of tobacco. The students learn how tobacco affects the environment and those around them and how to have a positive impact by cleaning up cigarette litter. I am very proud at how far they have come and am energized by the excitement they have to help better their community. The students have the motivation to help others learn about tobacco and lead a healthier lifestyle”, says Kendrick.
Make “Kick Butts Day” the first day of your smoke-free life. For more information on quitting, call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline at 1-866-QUIT-YES (1-866-784-8937) or visit health.dekalbcounty.org.
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9 Comments
Thank you for picking up the trash. Not sure why people think throwing cigarettes on the ground is okay.
Wow. Lots of negativity for something that’s not so negative. Lighten up. Maybe this helps some kids make a decision to never start such a filthy habit.
They wear gloves. I think it is a good community service plus a teachable moment.
Poor idea. Unhealthy.
Why just cigarette butts? Because I know there is plenty of other garbage. Is it a way to convince children that smokers are dirty and bad people? Am I the only one more concerned about used diapers, tampons/pads, condems, needles and broken glass I see when I’ve been out and about the parks? But oh those evil dirty smokers.
I was a smoker and I hated picking up someone else butts. I would not like my kid doing something like that.
Why students ??? ð
IDK…. nothing would be more of a deterrent though! yuck!
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Sad they have to clean up after inconsiderate smokers.