Oak Lawn-Hometown SD 123 SRO Extends Safety Education to K-5 Students

Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 first welcomed School Resource Officer Craig Zelhart in January of this year, with his primary office at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School. “Officer Craig,” as he is known across the district, has recently started visiting all elementary schools to introduce himself and explain his role.

Serving in a primarily educational role for students, staff, and families in the community, Zelhart does not serve as someone who assigns discipline within the school. He aims to get to know students and their families and be there for anything they may need.

“In School District 123, we value people and the importance of building relationships. We take the safety of our schools seriously and feel it is important that Officer Craig builds relationships based on an accurately communicated role. The role of our School Resource Officer (SRO) is best defined by using a triad approach,” Superintendent Dr. Paul Enderle said. “The Triad approach is a model developed by the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) and designates the role of the SRO as public safety educator, mentor/informal counselor, and law enforcement officer."

In his presentation to elementary school students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, he discussed school safety, phone safety, and safe conversations while answering students’ questions. Students were especially interested in the items he wears on his service belt, which he explained include handcuffs, a pistol, magazines, a walkie-talkie, and a radio for dispatch.

Zelhart has also been instrumental in helping the District further develop current reunification plans, building security and access control procedures, and establishing training standards and notification system language.

Officer Craig enjoys the opportunity to be a positive influence on students as an SRO.

“Fostering positive relationships with our children at a young age shows them that police officers are people they can trust and rely on for support,” Zelhart said. “The Oak Lawn Police Department and D123 have done an amazing job at creating an SRO program that allows me to make a meaningful impact on young lives and positively contribute to the community.”

Zelhart notes that the D123 staff has made his transition into this new role an easy one. While visiting the elementary schools, Officer Craig has been greeted with plenty of high-fives and fist bumps.

“The admins and school staff have created a positive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions,” Zelhart said. “Of all the questions I've received, ‘What is your favorite donut?’ seems to top the list.”