The Crandall System Level II "Just Get Away" Westmoreland Junior and Senior Girls Arm themselves with Knowledge Over sixty Junior and senior girls were in attendance for the teaching presentation of Grand Master Crandall regarding nonviolent techniques of being safe in the changing world around them. This program is in its third year of being taught in public schools in New York State. The school staff cooperated with senior class advisor Mrs. Susan Hickox in and effort to bring prevention awareness regarding assaults through knowledge to the Junior and Senior girls of their school. With the educational support of Principal Rocco Migliori the "Crandall System Level II" was being offered this year. Grand Master Crandall, a retired teacher and administrator himself, said that it is a difficult charge the schools have to bring new but relevent knowledge to the students; however schools such as Westmoreland help set the stage for safety and happiness for not only their students but other schools who become aware of their programs. The "Just Get Away" program can be taught directly to the students by Grand Master Crandall or, as in the Herkimer County BOCES, can be taught to the phyical education staff of the school so that they can teach the program within their own schedule. It started with an understanding that what was being covered were not in fact fighting skills, but rather techniques that fulfilled the name of the program which is "Just Get Away." Punches were covered as a point of awareness in how to close a hand for safety and how to get the flow of punching. Mats had been laid out in a long line in front of the stage and chairs set up for the students to sit in. The mats were used for the demonstration of the techniques, but were not needed for the hands-on participation of the students although many did. The students asked pertinent questions during the seminar and at the wrap up of what had been covered. The positive and open enthusiasm that was demonstrated by the perticipants indicated that they truly wished to know and understand everything they could about self-defense. Each student had the opportunity to practice and demonstrate the techniques shown them with individual supervision as to how the technique worked and why. The underlying educational philosophy of the program is for students to understand self-defense and its relationship to others, whether potentially threatening or simply daily participants in their social surroundings. They are to understand ways to promote positive behavior from those around them and to discourage unwanted behavior. Students are taught to demonstrate and present personal and socially responsible behavior as well as to care for and respect themselves and others. They will recognize threats to themselves and their friends and be confident to offer safe alternatives to minimize the threat. These two pictures show the Junior and Senior girls watching Grand Master Crandall explain the method of the technique while Amanda Fiore in the red top and Nicole Stanulevich in the white uniform top Demonstrates. Some students begin to practice as others watch. Grand Master Crandall explains the angles needed to make the move most effective. Nicole Stanulevich and Christine Carpenter demonstrating for two students. Learning can definitely be fun. Amanda helps with some friendly pointers. The school staff was provided with two copies of the videotape and teachers' handbook on the "Just Get Away" program. Assisting Grand Master Crandall in the demonstration and presentation of this program was Amanda Fiore, a junior rank black belt who is in the assisting instructors program and is identified by the red uniform top. Also present were first rank brown belt Christine Carpenter and second rank brown belt Nicole Stanulevich.