School resource officer does the Cobra-Chicken Shuffle

By Lori Larsen for someone else and it

“Be the best you can be and causes a chain reaction, that goodness will spread outward” and the others also involved basically sums up the goal behind feel good and pass it on.” the Camrose Police Service CORE So, on April 16, in an effort to [Care for self and others, Online show the students how grateful responsibility and integrity, Rela- he was, Fernhout put his words tionship with self (mental health) into action with his version of the and with others, and Establish- Cobra-Chicken shuffle coached by ing boundaries] program offered to grade 3 and 6 students throughout the City of Camrose. The CORE Program was created and developed by the Camrose Police Service (CPS) and is based on the specific needs of the youth in the community. CORE combines the strategies of a number of different programs and organizations including: DARE, The Council, Edmonton’s Safe in 6 Program and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. The concept of developing healthy youth who, in turn, will create healthy connections to their communities is specific to Camrose Police Service. “As the School Resource Officer (SRO) for the Camrose Police Service, I feel one of the most important In an effort to encourage the students to dedicate time and sincere effort into the CORE program, Constable Fernhout taps into some unique ways to inspire the students, including a promise of a fun surprise if they complete their booklets. “All of the grade three students at St. Patrick Catholic School not only completed their booklets, but did so early,” praised Fernhout. Fernhout’s wife Misty. “With the help of CPS Sergeant John Tomaszewski, Peace Officer Erin Van Kuppeveld, and St. Pat’s vice principal Michelle Nanias, we gave the Grade 3s the very first Cobra-Chicken Shuffle.” After three minutes of strutting his dancing skills outside in the front of the school, and to the amusement of the Grade 3 students, Fernhout ran over and hugged a tree. “I always tell my students to get outside and hug a tree. So I thought I would show them how its done at the end of my shuffle.” His actions spoke louder than any words could, has certainly been particularly straining on all of the teachers and students in our schools, and this is an example of one small way that we can try to keep smiling and keep everyone’s spirits up,” commented Inspector Corbett. “We truly recognize how much of a positive impact we can have and what a privilege it is to be able to engage with all of these amazing kids in our schools.” Bringing CORE to the youth of the community is a passion for Fernhout, and knowing that the actions of one can ripple so far out is not only a lesson he teaches, but lives. “As youth grow up in our comjobs I have is to teach chil- as students, teach- munity, they become the core of our dren about how they can ers and staff alike City,” he attested. “If we can eduhelp and serve others in applauded, laughed cate and train our youth to make their community in healthy and smiled at Fern- positive contributions to the people ways,” explained Camrose hout’s demonstration around them, then our youth will Police Service SRO officer of community spirit. be stronger, and the communities Constable John Fernhout. “This past year around them will be stronger. The

“The CORE Program teaches grade 3 and 6 students that they have a core at their centre made up of their body, mind Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Camrose Police Service School Resource Officer Constable John Fernhout and spirit. The finished his healthier they demonstration of keep their body, the Cobra-Chicken mind and spirit, Shuffle to St. Patrick the stronger they Catholic School will be and better able to serve the Grade 3 students, with a token tree hug. people around them.”

Unique to Camrose, the CORE program revolves around one basic concept: youth who serve the communities around them in healthy ways will be motivated to make safe and healthy choices in their own lives. “We are very blessed and grateful to have the support and partnership of teachers, adminisTrue to his word, Constable Fernhout paid a surprise visit to St. Pats on Friday, April 16, to not only express his delight with the commitment of the students, core values of the Camrose Police Service are centered on valuing our people and the community. We believe in being part of a strong team, acting with integrity, and caring for others.” trators, parents, and the students but to demonstrate that a Teaching trust, especially themselves,” noted CPS Inspector little fun goes a long way. amidst youth and law enforceJohn Corbett. “We are very proud “We learn many lessons ment, is vital in bridging gaps and of our school resource program and from our mascot Cornelius building strong foundations in any all of the great work that Const. Fernhout and every other school resource officer and instructor has done in all of our local schools.” During the CORE program, students participate in seven basic lessons including: meet and greet; introduction to the CORE Program and how it works; caring for yourself so you can serve others; online safety and integrity; relationship with self and others; establishing boundaries; and making good choices; followed by a graduation at the end. As part of the program, the students are tasked with maintaining their CORE booklets, with the goal of completing tasks and earning points relative to CORE mantra by the end of the program’s seven lessons. the Cobra-Chicken (a Canada Goose) about community, and leadership,” explained Fernhout. “I promised all the Grade 3s at St. Pat’s that I would do the Cobra-Chicken Shuffle if they completed their CORE booklets.” After one of the St. Pats teachers dropped off a booklet of pictures and drawings showing the students’ gratitude, Fernhout immediately knew that he had to reciprocate. “This is what the program is all about, loving and showing gratitude to the people around us. One of the things we talk about in CORE is CCP, or Cobra-Chicken-Power. This is when we do something good community. “Youth who have trust and rapport with their local police service are more connected to the city in which they live. Strong communities develop from citizens who have integrity, care for one another, and the city in which they live. The CORE Program is dedicated to helping youth develop positive attitudes and behaviors regarding their own health so they can better serve the people and community around them.” To view the video, produced with the assistance of CPS dispatcher Kelsey Stratichuk, of Constable Fernhout shuffling his way into the hearts of St. Pat’s students and teachers, visit the Camrose Police Service Facebook page.

Submitted CPS SRO Constable John Fernhout, front left, performs the Cobra-Chicken shuffle for St. Pat’s Grade 3 students while CPS Community Peace Officer Erin Van Kuppeveld holds on to CORE mascot Cornelius.

Submitted As a show of gratitude to CPS Constable Fernhout for teaching the CORE program, St. Patrick Catholic School Grade 3 student Jayda Boren drew a picture and wrote a note of thanks.