School Resource Officer

S.T.A.R.T. Officer Wendy Sanginiti

The S.T.A.R.T. Unit focuses on providing quality prevention education to students in the St. Charles City School district. 

Substance Tobacco Alcohol Resistance Training (S.T.A.R.T.) is a comprehensive and adaptable substance abuse prevention curriculum primarily for fifth grade students. For the duration of a semester, students learn about critical issues facing youth today, such as tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, bullying and cyberbullying, peer pressure, and citizenship. All classes are led by Community Education Officers who utilize a combination of instructional strategies for student engagement, including interactive learning, lectures, writing prompts, group exercises, and peer-led discussions. Each lesson is focused on helping students understand positive and negative decision-making and providing them with the tools necessary to confidentially express the program’s motto: “Start by saying NO!”