2010-11 D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony

Fifth graders are making it thanks to skills they learned
 

On June 16, 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.
 

Officer Decker congratulates his son, who is a fifth grader at ASK Elementary School.

Students check out their new D.A.R.E. coin.

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, 253 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.

At the graduation ceremony, each student received a D.A.R.E coin, which was designed by Officer Decker to help remind students about what they learned in the program. They will also receive graduation certificates at a special end-of-the year ice cream party at their school.
 

Police Jervis Police Chef Bill Worden recognizes Officer Decker for his years of service to the D.A.R.E. program.

This year's ceremony was bittersweet because it marked the end of an era for the Port Jervis D.A.R.E. program. Officer Decker's dedication and creativity, the ceremony always goes well beyond the actual presentation of the D.A.R.E. diplomas.

 

Past and present D.A.R.E. graduates come together to perform a musical extravaganza for  Fantasmic finale	These High School students were some of the many D.A.R.E. graduates who

This year's ceremony 

featured an energetic presentation of "Send it On," choreographed  by ASK music teacher Patricia Halpenny and her sister Mary Alice Presto, and two motivational videos. Both videos featured the D.A.R.E. graduates.


 

Students give "back" to the program

In what has become an annual tradition, students and staff from both elementary schools took time to thank Officer Decker and present him with a donation to help support the D.A.R.E. program. Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School students presented Officer Decker with an oversized check, representing the money they raised at a bake sale. Additionally, students from both elementary schools gave Decker a generous donation from their Parent-Teacher Association.

Class of 2011 Essay Contest Winners

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 a D.A.R.E. sports bag filled with an assortment of prizes that included a Daren - the D.A.R.E. mascot - stuffed animal, frame and water jug.  Please check back for the list of winners.