On Tuesday, March 31st, sixth grade students at OLHMS proudly celebrated their completion of the Oak Lawn Police Department’s EDGE program. EDGE (Education for Gang Evasion), established in 1995, focuses on equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to resist the pressures of gang involvement and make positive life choices.
Over the course of the program, students explored important topics such as the risks associated with gangs, strategies for staying safe, and ways to avoid violence. They also strengthened their abilities in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making, while learning mindfulness and meditation techniques as healthy alternatives to confrontation. A key message throughout the program emphasized that students have a powerful voice in their community and play an important role in helping keep their neighborhoods safe.
As part of the celebration, students showcased their creativity by writing original acrostic poems using their names. These poems reflected their personal growth and commitment to living drug- and gang-free lives. Several standout pieces were written by Scarlet, Maha, Ryyan, and Teagan, highlighting the meaningful impact the program had on many of our students.
We are grateful to the Oak Lawn Police Department for their continued partnership and dedication to supporting the students of OLHMS. Congratulations to all of our sixth graders on this important achievement!
