Probation Officer Joseph Kenyon visits with elementary youngsters during lunch break
There’s a new face at SSCS this school year who has quickly become a welcome member of the Spartan family. Meet Officer Joseph Kenyon.
Whether it’s a “high-five” in the hall, a laugh at recess or shooting hoops in the gym, Joe is an important adult role model and mentor to our young people as they go about their school day.
“Having the opportunity to help make a positive difference in a student’s life is what’s most important to me,” says Joe, who grew up in Cobleskill as a youth and now works as a probation officer for the Schoharie County Probation Department for the past 20 years.
After earning a college degree in Criminal Justice, Joe worked as a corrections officer at the Schoharie County Jail before joining the Probation Department in 2006. While not a traditional police officer in uniform, Joe is part of the criminal justice system and plays an important role in public safety in our communities.
Officer Joe Kenyon
“Obviously, school safety is a vital part of that,” Joe says. “I believe that just having a presence at the school acts as a deterrent to actions that could negatively affect the safety of students and staff on any given day.”
Joe started his new position at SSCS last fall as part of a new Probation Department grant funded Pre-PINS (Persons In Need of Supervision) Program. This program is designed to assist students early on who may be having truancy or behavioral issues at the school or trouble at home.
His role is to get involved with these students after a referral from the school to assist in getting useful and appropriate support and referrals in place with the hopes of avoiding a more severe PINS complaint and/or further involvement with “the system.”
“Basically, we’re looking to correct the negative behaviors the student is demonstrating before any further formal action is taken and to avoid them ending up in Family Court or the criminal system,” he says. “It is my hope to be able to help any students make positive changes in their school and family lives to become better students and young members of the community overall.”
This involves working directly with the school social worker and other resource personnel the county can offer. You’ll find Joe at SSCS from one to three days a week interacting with staff and spending lunches and recesses with students of all ages.
“Joe’s presence alone is very positive,” said SSCS Principal/Superintendent Thomas Yorke. “His quiet, humble and approachable personality is a perfect fit at SSCS. Our students are always asking him questions and are authentically curious to learn about him and law enforcement in general.”
Joe couldn’t agree more.
“I’ve had some great conversations with the young people,” Joe says. “I think there was a lot of curiosity with the students, especially when I first started. They want to know about the equipment I use in my job (firearm, pepper spray, baton, etc.). Otherwise, I do enjoy watching them play volleyball and basketball during their lunch period in the Doig Gym or just walking through the halls and saying hello.”
Having Officer Kenyon at SSCS and the work he does fits perfectly into this year’s school theme: “One Team, All In: Together, building a network of caring adults committed to helping every student succeed academically, socially, and personally.”
And it’s been a perfect fit for Officer Kenyon as well. That’s why he chose a career as a probation officer in the first place.
“I felt it was a great way to work in the criminal justice field and assist individuals in making positive changes in their lives to become productive members of society,” he says. “Whether it’s students or adults, I find it gratifying to be able to help make a positive change in somebody’s life.”
Being a part of the Spartan mission has also been gratifying for him.
“It’s been a very welcoming experience here since day one,” Joe says. “I’m just happy to be accepted here by everyone and to do my part.”
