The mission of the N.O.V.A. Principles Foundation is: “Nurturing youth to seek out positive Opportunities, internalize good Values, and to accept Accountability for their choices in life.”
Involvement
N.O.V.A. acknowledges the key role of parents and family in keeping youth away from the harmful effects of illegal drugs, violence, and negative media exposure. N.O.V.A. supports parents in this endeavor by teaching youth and also by providing a Parent’s program. The N.O.V.A. Parent’s program is derived from sound psychological principles to give parents assistance in raising youth in today’s world.
The Program
The N.O.V.A. Principles Elementary program is a 13-15 week program taught at the 5th or 6th-grade level by uniformed law enforcement officers. Some departments provide students who participate in this program a N.O.V.A. folder, program material, and a N.O.V.A. T-shirt. N.O.V.A. Officers spend time with students in the classroom, at lunch, and on the playground, building a great rapport between students and officers.
Mrs. Hollister’s fifth-grade students got to try an obstacle course wearing “drunk goggles” that simulate what happens when you have alcohol in your system. They learned never to get in a vehicle with someone who has been drinking and that devastating things can happen while being impaired due to harmful substances. Thank you, NOVA Officer Owen Leifson, for teaching our students!