D.A.R.E. encourages graduates to think positively

D.A.R.E. Program gives students skills to resist pressure to do drugs
 

HBE Principal Sharon Dickstein presents diplomas. This year's graduation was bittersweet for HBE Principal Sharon Dickstein, who is retiring after being involved with D.A.R.E. since 1989.

Chances are... in today's society most children will be offered a drug or alcohol, or pressured to do something they don't want to do, before they reach adulthood. But, now after completing the D.A.R.E. Program, the Port Jervis fifth graders have the skills and confidence needed to say no drugs and alcohol.

On June 10, all of the fifth graders in the Port Jervis School District graduated from the D.A.R.E. Program in a motivational ceremony at Port Jervis High School.   

The primary mission of the D.A.R.E. program, which is taught by Port Jervis School Resource Officer Kelly Decker, is to provide students with the information and tools they need to live drug-and-violence-free lives. Additionally, the program is designed to foster positive relationships between students and the Port Jervis Police Department, parents, teachers, and others in the community who can help keep children on the right path.

Port Jervis Police Chief William Worden told the fifth graders that it takes "strength and courage" to say no to drugs and alcohol. "As graduates of the D.A.R.E. Program, I challenge all of you to work really hard to use the knowledge you've learned, take pride in yourselves, and spread the word that is cool to say no to drugs," said Worden. 

Since it was first brought to the school district in 1989, the D.A.R.E. Program has grown substantially - in size and focus. This year, 238 fifth graders completed the life-skills course. When they get to middle school, all of these students will receive additional instruction in the second level of the program.
 

The graduation ceremony - which is attended annually by district, local, and regional officials - is held to congratulate the students on their accomplishment and to motivate them to continue to make the right choices in life. This year, the special guest of honor was the Port Jervis Police Department's new K9 - Mak, who is pictured with his handler Officer Billy Conklin and Police Chief Worden.  
 

Thanks to Officer Decker's dedication and creativity, the ceremony always goes well beyond the actual presentation of the D.A.R.E. diplomas.



 

The entire Think Positive cast.

This year's ceremony featured an energetic presentation of "Think Positive" from the musical Wonka, Jr., choreographed  by ASK music teacher Patricia Eckert and her sister Mary Alice Presto, and two professional-quality videos. Both videos featured the D.A.R.E. graduates. A link to one of the videos - entitled Chances Are - is posted below.

 

Students give "back" to the program

During the ceremony, Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School Principal Sharon Dickstein and Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School Principal John Solimando presented Officer Decker with donations to help support the D.A.R.E. Program. Students at both schools raised money so they could give something back to the program. In addition to the money raised by the schools, the D.A.R.E. Program receives support for the graduation ceremony and student incentives from numerous area businesses.

In addition to the diploma, each graduate receives a D.A.R.E coin, which was designed by Officer Decker to help remind students about what they learned in the program. Inscribed on the coin are some of the people and programs - including family, school, sports teams, etc. - that are available to help students say no to drugs
 

Class of 2009 Essay Contest Winners

Some of this year's essay winners proudly display their prize.

The annual D.A.R.E. essay contest provides all of the fifth graders with an opportunity to write about what they learned in the program and what they will do to avoid drugs and violence. Award-winning essays were selected from each fifth-grade class.

All essay contest winners received an assortment of prizes that included a duffle bag, a stuffed animal (D.A.R.E. mascot) and candy. Following the ceremony, all the graduates were treated to a special "pizza and ice cream sundae" lunch at their school.

 

Congratulations to the following Essay Contest winners:

View the D.A.R.E. Video - Chances Are