Learn & Win (LAW)

SRO's Teaching iDrive

Learn And Win (LAW)

Learn and Win (LAW) is the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office’s premier community policing program. A multifaceted initiative, LAW contains an integral school element designed to help Louisa County students make smart choices on key issues affecting their future. The LAW school program began in Louisa County elementary schools in 2009-2010 and expanded to Louisa County Middle and High Schools in 2010-2011.  As the LAW program matured, it further expanded to include training for faculty and staff.

Elementary School

The cornerstone of LAW is the elementary school program, which focuses on fifth grade students and consists of 10, 45-60 minute lessons and a K-9 demonstration and education session.

SRO with StudentsProgram

  1. Introduction
  2. Making Good Decisions
  3. Tobacco
  4. Alcohol
  5. Marijuana
  6. Other Drugs
  7. Internet Safety
  8. Gangs
  9. Safe Rider & Distracted Driver
  10. Review
  11. K-9 Demonstration


In addition to classroom discussion, activities, and homework assignments, students participate in a capstone exercise consisting of a short essay on one or more of the subjects presented. The top essayist in each of the elementary school classes receives special recognition from the Sheriff’s Office. All students completing the rigorous elementary school curriculum receive a special LAW certificate and t-shirt at a school awards ceremony.

Elementary school SRO’s also spend time teaching and building relationships in grades Kindergarten - 4th.  

Programs include:

  • Reading an age appropriate book series dealing with important topics sucSRO & Otto the Auto Presentationh as lockdown drills, not letting strangers into the school, the role of the SRO and school bus safety (Kindergarten).
  • Otto the Auto from AAA (American Automobile Assoc.) is a presentation that teaches children the importance of buckling up, wearing bicycle helmets and looking all ways before crossing the street (1st grade).
  • The Eddie the Eagle Gun Safe program teaches children what to do if they ever find a gun (2nd grade).
  • NetSmartz® Workshop Being a Good Digital Citizen is a program of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is an educational program that teaches children ages 5-17 about online safety and digital citizenship (3rd grade).

In addition to classroom discussion, activities, and homework assignments, students participate in a capstone exercise consisting of a short essay. The top essayist in each elementary school receives special recognition from the Sheriff’s Office. All students completing the rigorous elementary school curriculum receive a special LAW certificate and t-shirt at a school awards ceremony.

Sheriff & SRO with Students

Middle School

The middle school program consists of 6, 1-hour lessons with 2 lessons at each grade level:

  • Student Responsibilities and Intro to Juvenile Justice (6th Grade)
  • Internet Safety and Vehicle Safety (7th Grade)
  • Gang Awareness and Drug Awareness (8th Grade)


High School

The LAW high school program is less structured than middle and elementary school programs. Topics are taught through a combination of classroom discussion, hands-on training/demonstrations, and guest speakers. 

Students Learning with ScanEd


Topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Survive the Drive
  • Traffic Stops 101
  • Vehicle Maintenance 101
  •  IDrive
  •  ScanEd
  • Internet Safety/Sexting
  • Search and Seizure
  • Student Rights
  •  Virginia’s Court System
  • Gang Awareness
  • Substance Abuse


Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff are an integral part of the school community.  As such, they play an important role in keeping our students safe.  To prepare faculty and staff for this critical responsibility, SROs and/or other select law enforcement personnel provide training in:

  • Critical Incident Response
  • Know the Signs
  • Gang Awareness
  • Drug Awareness
  • Staff Talks (short discussions on select issues)

Process:

All LAW school lessons reinforce decision-making skills and self-esteem, and are designed to help students as they grow and face new challenges.  Lessons are taught by specially selected Louisa County deputies who are trained School Resource Officers (SRO’s). Parents and caregivers are an important element of the LAW school learning process. For most lessons, students are given informative handouts to share with their parent or caregiver. Parents or caregivers are encouraged to review the information and discuss their experiences and expectations on the issue with their student. While educators play an important role in student development, nothing replaces regular and direct parental/caregiver involvement.

Working together, we can make LAW Schools a valuable learning and life experience for all members of the Louisa County Public Schools community.