Optimists meet new Chicken Club AISD coordinator

Ken Knippel

Chicken Club is an anti-drug program in the Aldine schools, aimed at the fourth grade level student. It is a project supported by the school district and the Aldine Noon Optimist Club.

The Aldine program was started about 10 years ago, and involves about 5000 fourth grade students in the AISD schools every year.

The outstanding feature of the program is a yellow tee-shirt each student gets, proclaiming their desire to avoid drugs. This works because it relies on “reverse peer pressure,” according to Optimist president Steve Mead.

With the retirement last year of long-time program coordinator Clarence Johnson, this responsibility has been assumed by AISD Assistant Superintendent for Administration Ken Knippel.

Knippel was on hand at last week’s Optimist’s luncheon, to thank the club for their support and assure them he will continue the program with enthusiasm and help from his counselor staff at each school.

Knippel has been with Aldine ISD all his 26 year career, first as a teacher and coach, then 7 years as an assistant principal and 13 years as a principal.

Mead, who is also an AISD school board member, explained that

“Chicken” stands for:

C – Cool

H – Honest

I – Intelligent

C – Clear Headed

K – Keen

E – Energetic

N – Not interested in Drugs.

All of these values are part of the commitment that the fourth graders make when they join the program.

The anti-drug program is similar to the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program offered to fifth graders.

Recognizing the influence of peer pressure on students to take drugs, the CHICKEN Club uses the same technique in reverse. Through positive peer pressure, students are empowered to “just say no.”

The club was founded by the Optimist Club in Phoenix, Ariz., and tailored for use in Texas districts by the La Marque Independent School District.

The Aldine Optimist Club was instrumental in bringing the program to the schools and has been an active supporter since its inception.