TISD to hold teddy bear and blanket drive

TEXARKANA, Texas — To bring awareness to April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month, all elementary school campuses in the Texarkana Independent School District will be accepting donations of teddy bears and small children’s blankets from April 5 to April 30.

Items collected will be donated to area Child Protective Services and Police Departments.

Sherry Nelson, coordinator of student support services, said the district has always recognized child abuse prevention and awareness in the month of April, but that they wanted to take it a step further this year.

“This month is a time for families and communities to come together, honor the children affected by abuse and neglect and raise awareness of resources and programs of prevention,” she said. “Texarkana ISD has always observed child abuse prevention and awareness in the month of April, and our counselors have always completed guidance lessons on child abuse prevention, signs and symptoms, whom to tell, good touch/bad touch, neglect and sexual abuse. This year our district is dedicated to doing more. This is the first year that we have addressed the issue district-wide.”

She said this is a very pertinent issue to TISD, and that’s why they’re working so hard to bring awareness.

“Children who are abused or neglected, including those who witness domestic violence, often exhibit emotional, cognitive, and behavioral problems, such as depression, suicidal behavior, difficulty in school, use of alcohol and other drugs, and early sexual activity,” Nelson said. “Children who are abused or neglected also are more likely to repeat the cycle of violence by entering into violent relationships as teens and adults or abusing their own children. We have to stop the cycle.

“These are our children. This child could be your neighbor, a member of your soccer team, your student or a fellow church member. If we don’t help them, who will?”

As part of TISD’s efforts, Allie Graves, Miss Texas Outstanding Teen and 2020 Graduate of Texas High School, recorded a message that was played out to elementary classrooms Thursday morning.

To view, visit www.txkisd.net/forparents/videos/Allie%20Bear%20Drive%20Elementary.mp4.