By Ryan Seals
Greensboro News & Record
GREENSBORO — A class of Greensboro fifth-graders got tips Monday on responsibility, accountability and how to deal with bullies, straight from the city’s top cop.
Police Chief Ken Miller visited for nearly two hours with 22 students from Kathy Harding’s class at Claxton Elementary as part of a character development initiative at Guilford County Schools.
The chief talked about the importance of the students taking responsibility for their actions, holding themselves accountable when they do something wrong, teamwork and withstanding peer pressure, among other issues.
“Individual responsibility is how you change communities,” Miller said of what he hoped the students learned.
“Responsibility for themselves, their own behavior and addressing errant behavior of others ... through the right channels, is an important part of character development.”
Miller spoke of his responsibilities as police chief and how officers are held responsible for their actions to maintain trust in the police department and ensure the public remains safe.
He related that to the responsibilities the students face in doing their homework and chores, being inclusive of one another and not bullying or giving into peer pressure.
“There are factors in character development that are very important that carry them through their days as an adult,” Miller said of the importance of the program.
The students, who eagerly participated in the session, said they learned their actions are important in shaping who they are and become.
“Everything you do directs to your future,” said Sean Haboon, 10.
“If you want to be a model citizen, do what’s right and be a good influence.”
Copyright 2010 News & Record