Rayma Silvers/Tribune Photo Fort Scott Police School Resource Officer Toby Nighswonger, right, swears in three Eugene Ware Elementary School students last Wednesday prior to conducting a perimeter check at the school. The students, included: Tyler Meek, fifth grade; Tyler Cooper, third grade; and Andrew Scrivener, fifth grade.

Inspired by two second-grade students, Winfield Scott Elementary in conjunction with the Fort Scott Police School Resource Officer began a program last year. The program was such a success, it has expanded into an additional school this year.

During the 2007 school year, Winfield Scott Elementary Principal Dave Elliott received a note from Kaleb Guilfoyle and Zane Claypool, both second-grade students at the time. According to Elliott, their simple request initiated a unique safety awareness program which is now also practiced at Eugene Ware Elementary.

"They (Guilfoyle and Claypool) were requesting me to allow them to be 'kid cops' and patrol the building for a day," Elliott said.

After receiving the note, Elliott contacted Fort Scott Police School Resource Officer Toby Nighswonger about the boys' request. Both Elliott and Nighswonger resolved to create a plan which would accommodate Guilfoyle's and Claypool's wish, Elliott said.

"We decided we needed to do something about it and Toby Time (TT) was initiated," Elliott said. "Each week three kids accompany Toby on a security check of the building and grounds. This gives Toby a chance to talk with them about safety and security issues."

According to Nighswonger, not long after Toby Time was implemented, popularity for the program spread quickly through Winfield Scott.

"Students were constantly asking when they would get picked for TT, what it involved, and what the qualifications were," Nighswonger said.

During Toby Time, Nighswonger explains to the participating students the responsibilities they will need to undertake as his helpers for the day. Then Nighswonger and his Toby Time students walk around the school building, watching for potential safety hazards, Nighswonger said.

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"I take a few minutes to initially tell them about the SRO's job, their jobs as TT helpers, and the rules of conduct during TT," Nighswonger said. "I then take them for a walk around the building. As they walk, I talk with the kids about the importance they play in keeping our school safe by watching out for obvious safety concerns."

According to Nighswonger, some of the safety concerns the students watch for include unlocked doors, broken windows, strangers inside and outside of the schools, and stray animals. After the students and Nighswonger have finished investigating the perimeter of the school building, the small group begins an indoor inspection of the building.

"I explain to the students how they should notify an administrator, teacher, custodian, SRO, or school official if they see a person inside their school without a visitor's badge or anyone they do not recognize," Nighswonger said.

Upon completion of the security checks, Eugene Ware Principal Billie Jo Drake said, the students come into her office and report to her any unlocked doors, broken windows, trash and signs of vandalism they discovered during their security check. In addition, Drakes said, the students will also be checking to make sure all adults they see at the school can be identified by a name tag or visitor badge. At Winfield Scott, the students report these same items to Elliott.

Eugene Ware fifth grade students Andrew Scrivener and Tyler Meek were excited about their recent day of service on the security squad.

"Toby Time was cool," Scrivener said. "We got to patrol around the building... Toby made me second chief."

Meek said, "I felt happy to get to be with officer Nighswonger. It was fun."

The program has not only been a success with the students, teachers and administrators also see the program as a positive.

Elliott said there are two reasons he is fond of Toby Time.

"It gets good kids in contact with Toby," he said, "and it was an idea from children."

Eugene Ware fifth grade teachers Brenda Hill and Gayla Croan are also impressed with the program.

"The opportunity for students to have a personal connection with our school resource officer is very valuable," Croan said.

Echoing Croan's opinion, Hill said, "This is a way for students to interact with our SRO in a non-threatening way."

According to Nighswonger, Toby Time is beneficial, enabling students to help schools take a pro-active approach to school safety.

"Teaching students how they can learn to keep their school safe is a must in today's world," Nighswonger said. "The program also enables students to interact with a police officer in a positive way, which many kids do not get. This program works and is an aid in keeping our schools safe by teaching students that they have the ability to impact their school, their fellow peers and themselves in a positive way."