Perhaps the most important aspect of the Parish's litter program in terms of long-range success is educating area youth on all the negative aspects brought forth by litter. Research has shown that most children have learned their basic habits and practices by the end of their 4th grade in elementary school. With this in mind, the Police Jury has been working with the Calcasieu Parish School Board and other private schools and educational institutions in the region to develop a standard presence of litter awareness and education in the classroom beginning with Kindergarten and continuing with every grade through graduation. Students are taught various aspects of litter education at each level of their school career. A brief overview of topics are listed below:
Kindergarten: "The Basics of litter"-Why it just isn't right to litter
Intermediate: "Scientific Aspects of litter"-What litter does to the Earth; how long it takes for certain litter to disintegrate.
High School:"How Litter Effects the Community"-How does litter effect economic development? Overall quality of life? How does a community enforce litterers?
While curriculum is an important tool in education, the Police Jury will be working with area schools to develop special programs that will reinforce litter education. More details on these programs will be announced in the Summer of 2009 in anticipation for these initiatives to be launched into the schools for the 2009-10 year.