Students learn to "Be A Hero"

The fifth and sixth grade students in Ritzville Grade School had three visitors on Thursday, March 22, with the most exciting visitor being Duct Tape Man. Duct Tape Man has been visiting the grade school twice a year for the last two years.

The “Be A Hero” program is put on by the Adams County Juvenile Court, and encourages students to stay away from drugs, alcohol, bullying and truancy. The presentation focused on truancy and how the students can avoid being considered truant.

The three officers that presented the program to the students are T.J. Hunt, Jessie Dominquez and Justin Tucker. Hunt is the son of Adams County Undersheriff, John Hunt.

It is a state law that juveniles cannot miss four schooldays a month or 10 days a school year that are unexcused. Those students who do not have excused absences and continue to miss school are considered truant.

In the Ritzville High School handbook it states that a student’s parent or guardian is contacted after a student has one unexcused absence in any month of the school year.

After two unexcused absences, a conference is held with the student’s parent or guardian.

The handbook also says “a student may be suspended or expelled for habitual truancy.” The parent and guardian of the student are also notified before the suspension or expulsion is to occur.

During Duct Tape Man’s visit with the fifth and sixth grade classes, he distributed certificates to each of the students for them to sign. The students’ signature meant they agreed to avoid drugs, alcohol, bullying and truancy.

Each of the students also received a “Be A Hero” wristband to remind them of their commitment to the program. Duct Tape Man makes surprise visits throughout the school year and if a student is wearing the bracelet, they could potentially win an iPod product.

The Adams County Juvenile Court group, based out of Othello, makes trips to local schools at least once a year to promote the “Be A Hero” program.

The three probation officers that traveled to Ritzville also made trips to Washtucna and Lind schools in the same week.

Duct Tape Man also hosts presentations with his colleagues Pencil Man, Post-It Girl, and villains Red Tape Man and Blue Tape Man.

The presentations help give students an interactive way to be reminded to stay in school and away from illegal activities.

The Adams County Juvenile Court probation officers remind and encourage kids to attend all of their classes in order to give them the most opportunities as possible.

Duct Tape Man reminded the students to be a hero, stay in school.