Special Programs

Our elementary and intermediate schools use the Too Good for Drugs, a research-based prevention program designed to help students build the skills they need to make healthy, responsible choices, now and in the future. Too Good for Drugs aligns with our district’s commitment to creating a positive, supportive school climate by focusing on students well-being and safety.

Lessons are age-appropriate and tailored to each grade level. Lessons focus on goal setting and personal responsibility, effective communication and refusal skills, understanding emotions and managing stress, respect for self and others, and the importance of making healthy choices. In grades 1-5, lessons are tailored to the intellectual, cognitive, and social development of the student. In the primary grades, the lessons develop an understanding of what is healthy to put in the body and what is not. The foundation prepares students for discussions about tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use in later elementary years. In grade 6, students set and reach more complex goals and, in the process, develop and practice stronger decision-making skills and effective communication skills. Substance use topics are discussed in the context of expectations, peer pressure and influence, and the role of the media. 

At the elementary and intermediate schools, Too Good for Drug lessons are taught by the School Resource Officer (SRO) during the school year. Each school creates a schedule for the SRO to visit students’ classrooms for 30-40 minutes per lesson. Students in grades 1-3 receive two lessons per year and grades 4-6 receive eight lessons. The content is delivered in engaging methods by using discussions, role-playing, and other age-appropriate activities. 

Parents will receive a letter from the school prior to lessons beginning. If you have any questions please contact your child’s school principal. 

As part of the elementary level programming, we are committed to the safety and well-being of our students. In second grade, students will learn about abuse prevention by receiving instruction about the differences between appropriate and inappropriate touches through a program called Three Kinds of Touches. This program takes place in students' classrooms and lasts approximately 30 minutes. It is instructed by Mrs. Anne Rice McCorkle, who is the Prevention Coordinator of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services (SPHS) Care Center and Sexual Trauma Treatment And Recovery Services (STTARS) Program.

The STTARS 3 Kinds of Touches Program provides age-appropriate education on sexual abuse prevention by helping children identify the differences between safe touches, ouch touches, and uh-oh touches. Mrs. McCorkle will introduce this sensitive content by adhering to the book, Three Kinds of Touches. She explains the types of touches as:

• Safe touches are identified as touches that make you feel safe and loved, such as hugs or pats on the back. 
• Ouch touches are touches that hurt, such as hitting and kicking.  
• Uh-oh touches are characterized as touches that make you feel uncomfortable. 

Parents will receive a permission form from the school in advance of the program. Students who do not have parental permission will not be permitted to participate.

As part of the intermediate level programming, fifth grade students will learn about the natural changes that occur in their body by receiving instruction in two age appropriate programs, Maturation and Wonder of Wonders + All About HIV. The Maturation presentations will be conducted virtually by Mrs. LoGreco-Joos, Cecil Intermediate School Nurse The Wonder of Wonders + All About HIV presentation will be taught virtually or in-person by the Kamin Science Center.

Maturation Overview: The following Always Changing and Growing Up Puberty Education videos will be shown to fifth grade students, based on their gender, by the nurse to teach them about the maturation process. Parents are encouraged to view the Always Changing and Growing Up videos prior to the school presentation so they are aware of its contents. 

• Boys
• Girls

Wonder of Wonders + All About HIV Overview: The Carnegie Science Center created videos about Wonder of Wonders + All About HIV for parents to preview the information that will be presented to fifth grade students. For more information about Wonder of Wonders + HIV, please see the following document and videos created by the Carnegie Science Center. 

• Frequently Asked Questions and Parent Guide
• Carnegie Science Center Wonder of Wonders
• All About HIV

In advance of Maturation presentations and Wonder of Wonders + All About HIV parents will receive information about providing authorization for their child to participate. Students without parental consent will not be permitted to attend either program. 

The Chill Project is a partnership between the Canon-McMillan School District and Allegheny Health Network (AHN) designed to support the mental health and well-being of the middle school community. The program uses mindfulness-based practices to provide students, staff, and families with a shared language and practical skills to recognize, discuss, and respond positively to stress.

As part of the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), the Chill Project offers students multiple opportunities to learn and practice evidence-based coping strategies they can apply in their daily lives. A key component of this initiative is the Chill Room, a Tier II intervention space available to students as needed.

An annual parent opt-out form is shared by the school for families who choose not to have their child participate in the Chill Project or visit the chill room.
 

As part of the Middle School Health 8 and High School Health 9 curriculum, the Canon-McMillan School District has partnered with Real Choices Education to provide instruction related to teen sexuality. The Real Choices program addresses topics including goal-setting and protecting teenagers’ futures, exhibiting self-control, the possible emotional, physical, mental, and social consequences of sexual activity outside of marriage, common sexually transmitted diseases and how they spread, and refusal skills with practical strategies for overcoming peer pressure.

The program incorporates interactive activities, discussions, real-life stories, and a PowerPoint presentation to reinforce an abstinence-based message. The Canon-McMillan School District has always recognized parents as the primary educators in the area of sexuality, and we appreciate your support as we work to provide students with information about the risks associated with early sexual involvement.

Parents/guardians with questions or concerns may contact Traci Johnson, Real Choices Educational Coordinator, at 724-457-1220 or traci@pregnancychoice.org. 
 

STTARS In Touch with Teens is a four-part, interactive prevention program provided by Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, Inc. for high school students. The program focuses on topics that support healthy adolescent development, including sexual harassment, safe and responsible social media use, bullying, healthy communication, assertiveness, and drug- and alcohol-facilitated sexual assault.

Through age-appropriate discussions and interactive activities, students are encouraged to explore concepts such as respect, consent, and bystander intervention. Program content may be tailored to align with school or community needs and is designed to promote student awareness, safety, and positive decision-making.
 

The Chill Project is a partnership between the Canon-McMillan School District and Allegheny Health Network (AHN) designed to support the mental health and well-being of the entire school community. The program uses mindfulness-based practices to provide students, staff, and families with a shared language and practical skills to recognize, discuss, and respond positively to stress.

As part of the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), the Chill Project offers students multiple opportunities to learn and practice evidence-based coping strategies they can apply in their daily lives. A key component of this initiative is the custom-built Chill Room, a Tier II intervention space available to all students as needed.

Tier I of the Chill Project includes Fundamental Lessons taught in 9th-grade health classes. To build upon these skills, 10th and 11th-grade students were offered voluntary Fundamental Lessons through Schoology. These lessons focus on mindfulness, stress management, emotional awareness, and self-regulation to help students manage day-to-day stressors.

An annual parent opt-out form is shared by the school for families who choose not to have their child participate in the Chill Project or visit the Chill Room.

For more information about the Chill Project, please refer to the program FAQs. 

The North Strabane Township Fire Department will visit your student’s health classes to provide them with hands-on instruction and certification in CPR. This training is part of the First Aid Unit and will take place near the end of the semester. Students will have the opportunity to learn important life-saving skills, practice proper techniques, and gain the confidence to respond effectively in emergency situations.

Our School Resource Officer (SRO) will visit 9th grade health classes several times throughout the semester to discuss important safety and wellness topics, including domestic violence, sexting and internet safety, distracted driving, alcohol, vaping, and drugs. Students will learn practical strategies to stay safe, make responsible choices, and develop critical decision-making skills.