D.A.R.E. PROGRAM INFORMS STUDENTS

I have had the privilege of meeting with the Grade 5 classes at
Vermilion Forks School for the last nine weeks talking about tobacco,
alcohol, marijuana, inhalants, peer pressure and their harmful effect
through D.A.R.E program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education).

D.A.R.E.'s ultimate goal is to provide children with alternative
choices and options when dealing with the peer pressures they face every day.

This program not only challenges the young people but provides them
with personal tools and insight which assists them in making these
healthy lifestyle choices.

D.A.R.E. is an amazing tool that has been incredibly effective
throughout 56 countries, benefiting over 36 million children.

Below is an overview of the D.A.R.E. Elementary lessons that we
covered in class:

Lesson #1:

Purposes and Overview of D.A.R.E. Program

Students are introduced to the D.A.R.E. program and the D.A.R.E
decision-making model.

Students practice skills used in decision making and reflect on their
learning in their D.A.R.E.planner.

Lesson #2:

Tobacco and You

This lesson focuses on normative beliefs about the use of tobacco by
youth. Tobacco facts are used to design tobacco warning labels, which
are shared with the class. Journal entries reflect the learning.

Lesson #3:

Smoke screen

Students apply tobacco and marijuana facts in a variety of situations
using the D.A.R.E. Decision-Making Model. Students are introduced to
the purpose of advertising. Journal entries reinforce discussion of
the affects tobacco has on the body.

Lesson #4:

Alcohol and You

Students work through a normative belief activity about the use of
alcohol by youth. Decision-making skills are reinforced as students
work together solving a variety of situations. Students journal
entries in D.A.R.E. planners reinforce skills.

Lesson #5:

The Real Truth

Students are given the opportunity to examine alcohol ads in their
environment and apply their learning in a relay race. Inhalants and
their danger are examined. Journaling processes the new learning.

Lesson #6:

Friendship Foundations

In teams, students examine friendship and peer pressure in
situational dilemmas using the D.A.R.E. Decision-making Model.
Journal entries in D.A.R.E. Planner reinforce new learning.

Lesson #7:

Putting It Together

Students work with partners to apply assertiveness skills in a
think/pair/share methodology. D.A.R.E. Planner journaling is used to
process new skills.

Lesson #8:

Personal Action

Student teams practice decision-making skills as they examine the
role of personal peer pressure in their lives. Students review their
D.A.R.E. Planner entries to assist in creating a personal D.A.R.E. report.

Lesson #9: Practice! Practice! Practice!

Students have the opportunity to apply assertive refusal skills along
with facts in a spiralling competition. Personal affirmations about
healthy choice are shared from D.A.R.E. reports.

Lesson #10:

Culmination

Students are given the opportunity to make a public statement about
their choices to resist drugs and violence in a group assembly.
Students receive D.A.R.E. graduation certificates and celebrate their
accomplishments.

Thank you so much for your support and for the interest you have
expressed in delivering this program to the children of Princeton.