Letters From Schools

This letter was sent from Elkhorn Middle School located in Frankfort, Kentucky

February 3, 2006

Mr. Greg Williams
Heritage Community Services
Heritage of Kentucky, Lexington
1517 Nicholasville Road, Suite 405A
Lexington, KY 40503

Dear Mr. Williams:

It is my pleasure to share good information with you. It has been over three years that we have worked together to bring a quality abstinence program to the students and parents at Elkhorn Middle School. From my first years as Principal at Elkhorn Middle and getting involved with your program, we have had a tremendous overall improvement. I have seen the maturity over the last three years in our students and have personally been in the classroom to observe the growth of the program over the three-year period. I know that this program has helped our students. There were eight (8) pregnancies in our middle school that year – six (6) in 6th grade and two (2) in 8th grade.

The program was an instant success in guiding students into making good choices. The parents were concerned the first year about the program and have since become my "ambassadors" to help other parents understand the purpose. I think the program has opened parents’ eyes to the issues facing their students. At the present time we have not had a reported pregnancy from students who have gone through the program.

We provide an open invitation to meet with all parents prior to the instruction at an evening meeting. The curriculum is made available for the parents and we encourage open communication between the student and the parents in knowing what is covered each day at school. This provides a great opportunity for parents to discuss these topics in a meaningful way.

I do require parents who opt out to meet with us so that we can explain what their responsibility will be to inform their child about the materials. I try to point out to the parents that the students will talk about this program while at school and they need to be prepared to discuss topics of interest with their child when they get home.

Your staff has been excellent to work with. Monica Chambers and Kaleb Carter are top notch. This year William Mack and T'Ebony Torain are gaining valuable experience and I have no doubt will become assets to the program.

Greg, I can't express to you how happy we are about this program and what it has done for our students. Education is such a powerful tool that helps students to be prepared for what life will throw their way. Again, thank you and your staff for all you do regarding our students. We are making a difference.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Bell, Principal