I had the opportunity to attend the D.A.R.E. Graduation Ceremony on May 23 at the Auten Road Intermediate School. D.A.R.E., which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, is a 5th grade program taught by Hillsborough Twp. Police officers in conjunction with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Besides factual information about drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes, students are taught refusal techniques, and self-esteem. Another large component of D.A.R.E. is the idea of the police officer as trusted friend and adviser.
But probably the most important part of the curriculum is the graduation itself. Each of the 601 5th graders had the chance to come up to the stage, shake hands with the police officers and others, and be cheered by their friends - and most importantly by the hundreds of parents that came out that day. Let’s hope all of that great positive peer pressure carries them through the rest of their school years and beyond.
Congratulations graduates!
First of all, you cannot teach self-esteem, it comes from within.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, a graduation is simply that, it is not more important than the information and techniques that are taught through out the school year. The graduation is a nice way of celebrating their DARE education, but don't make it more important than the education itself.
Thanks anonymous for your comment. Self-esteem is part of the DARE program, but I suspect you are correct, it can't be directly taught.
ReplyDeleteThe comment about the graduation being one of the most important parts of the curriculum came from an official from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. Indeed he bemoaned the fact that not all schools hold a graduation ceremony for DARE.
The DARE Culmination Lesson or graduation is a culminating activity which recognizes individual achievement and reinforces knowledge and skills that the students have learned during the 9 lessons. Over 100,000 5th grade students have received the curriculum in Somerset County since 1989. Being recognized by their peers, parents, school and law enforcement officials for their hard work in the classroom and having taking a stand to remain drug and violence free is an important component of the program.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment "other" anonymous guy. The "fact" is that the graduation is an important part of the curriculum. My "opinion" is that it might be the MOST important part.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's what the blog is going to be - fact and opinion.
Also, I see the need to turn off anonymous posting of comments. Not because I don't think people should post anonymously if they want to (and you will still be able to post with your identity hidden), but because if everyone is going to be named "anonymous" it is going to get pretty confusing!