LA PLATA, Md. (March 6, 2009)—The playground and recreational areas of Eva Turner Elementary School in Waldorf were recently adopted through the Adopt-a-Spot program as part of a partnership between the Charles County Sheriff's Office Teen Court juvenile justice program and Lifestyles of Maryland Foundation, Inc.
Teen Court and Lifestyles of Maryland signed a yearlong contract to adopt Turner, and students who have been ordered to perform community service through the Teen Court program will volunteer time during the weekend hours to maintain the school grounds.
Teen Court Coordinator Sarah Vaughan said a group of about 10 kids will visit the school once a month during the winter season, and twice a month during the warmer months. She also said that parents of children in the Teen Court program also take the time to get involved.
The Teen Court program works with children between the ages of 12 and 17 who have been convicted of first-time misdemeanor offenses, such as traffic violations and disorderly conduct. The children are judged by a jury of their peers, who decides their sanction, or punishment. One of these sanctions is community service.
Vaughan said Teen Court chose Turner because it is a community-based school in central Waldorf and she hopes additional schools can be adopted through the partnership with Lifestyles of Maryland, Inc. in the future.
For more information on the Teen Court program, visit http://www.ccso.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=575&Itemid=216 .