Sixth-graders at I.S. 68 in Brooklyn are lucky to have School Safety Agent Phyllis Hairston Strouble watching over them. Acting above and beyond the call of duty, Strouble, a Level 1, developed a program of rewards to counteract cursing — a negative behavior that is rampant in city schools. In its first few months Strouble’s program, called “Curse Free Is the Way to Be,” successfully promoted self-esteem and courteous behavior among one class of sixth-grade participants and was expanded to all sixth graders.

The idea was sparked by what Strouble calls the “unacceptable” amount of student cursing and the difficulty of enforcing the Department of Education’s rules against foul language. In a proposal to her supervisor, Commander Gary Armstead, Strouble focused on a pilot program to reward youths who significantly reformed their use of vulgar language.


School Safety Agent Phyllis Hairston Strouble is congratulated for her successful “Curse Free” program by, from left, Community Liaison Kevin McCall from City Council Member Charles Barron’s office; Assistant Principal of Academy One, Alex Fralin; and her husband Otis Strouble.

“These children have only experienced the negative effects of foul language and no self-control, and in turn they have received suspensions,” wrote Strouble in her proposal. “I would like to show them the positive rewards of self-control and positive speaking.”

With full support from her supervisors and the school faculty, Strouble launched the program in November scheduling the rewards before Christmas. First, youngsters who chose to participate signed pledges, then they were monitored by teachers who prepared lists of the most improved students. Strouble, meanwhile, scouted the community for donations to give as rewards.

“Target gave us $10 gift certificates, Modell’s and local movie theaters also contributed prizes, and the principal was really behind me,” says Strouble, describing how Principal Iris Zvi gave her free ice cream tickets for kids who tried extra hard.

On Dec. 22, at a special holiday assembly for the sixth-grade students of Academy One, housed in I.S. 68, Strouble herself was awarded a City Council Citation by Kevin McCall, who represented Council Member Charles Barron and also donated gifts to 120 sixth-graders.

Strouble’s dedication, hard work and concern for students have also been acknowledged in commendation letters from several school administrators and a Community Service Award from the Kings County District Attorney’s office. In addition, Strouble has been nominated by Commander Armstead for the Police Humanitarian Award