”
Yes, staff sergeant!
”
It’s a familiar scene on most military bases, but this response
comes from tikes who are only 4 feet tall.
With their white T-shirts tucked into their blue jeans, Gabilan
Hills School students stand at attention waiting for their next
command. The group of about 45 active members meet twice a week for
two hours to participate in the school’s Turning Point program.
“Yes, staff sergeant!”
It’s a familiar scene on most military bases, but this response comes from tikes who are only 4 feet tall.
With their white T-shirts tucked into their blue jeans, Gabilan Hills School students stand at attention waiting for their next command. The group of about 45 active members meet twice a week for two hours to participate in the school’s Turning Point program.
Turning Point serves as an extracurricular activity for third, fourth and fifth graders. Although it’s not necessarily for at-risk students, the program teaches structure and respect.
“We try to give structure to these kids for a little bit of time – you hope it takes,” said Andrea Munday-Nicolette, a parent and instructor in the program. “None of these kids are the bad kids, but it’s having the same effect. Most kids today lack a lot of discipline at home.”
During the two hours after school, kids stretch, exercise, march, shout cadences, learn lessons about themes such as respect and pride, learn Tae Kwon Do/self defense and volunteer their time.
Though students participate in marching and reciting cadences, Staff Sgt. Charles Tutop and Munday-Nicolette insist Turning Point’s not a military program.
“This is not a military thing. We stress the civilian aspect – it’s more fun,” Tutop said. “Every time the kids come here, they’re looking forward to it.”
Jared Lantis likes Turning Point so much he can’t stay away from the program even when he’s sick. On Monday, Lantis stayed home sick with the flu, but made his mom take him to school so he could participate, he said.
“It’s fun. I like the cadence and marching because you pretty much get to yell your lungs out and march really hard,” the fifth-grader said.
Another student refused to go to Disneyland with her family during this extended Veteran’s Day weekend because Turning Point will be cleaning up streets around Gabilan Hills and Marguerite Maze Middle School on Nov. 10, Munday-Nicolette said. Her family rescheduled the trip.
Not only are the students into it, but so are Tutop and Munday-Nicolette. Tutop has two days off a week from military services. He is stationed in San Luis Obispo. He spends those two days leading the program.
“I love working with kids. I look forward to this as much as the kids do,” Tutop said.
Even though elementary is a young age to offer a program like this, Tutop said it’s a type of intervention which everyone needs, not just troubled or at-risk students.
“The more you intervene with them and mingle with them, the better. It’s supposed to be that way,” he said. “People, parents don’t spend enough time with (kids) or there’s no male or female leading them on. We want to stop the kids from going the other way or making a detour.”
Turning Point was originally started nationally in 1997 as a means of improving the public health system in the United States by making it more community-based and collaborative.
In its second year at Gabilan Hills, Turning Point has an even number of boys and girls. Three of the top leadership positions – commanding officer and platoon leaders – are held by girls.
“The boys respect the girls really well. I think it’s good for the boys because it allows them to have a better relationship with girls in leadership roles – it’s good for them in the long run,” said Munday-Nicolette, whose two daughters participate in the program.
Fourth-grader Marissa Adame is one of the two platoon leaders. Adame said she likes the leadership skills she learns by leading her platoon.
“I like marching my platoon and putting them at attention. I like being an example and helping them,” Adame said.
Turning Point focuses on courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and the indomitable spirit, but Munday-Nicolette said the program teaches so much more.
“I’ve been involved in various activities including cheer and Hollister Heat – nothing compares to this, not on the self-esteem level,” she said.
To learn more about Turning Point, call Gabilan Hills School at 636-4430.
