News (Media Awareness Project) - US MN: Local Schools Hold D.A.R.E. Graduations |
| Title: | US MN: Local Schools Hold D.A.R.E. Graduations |
| Published On: | 2003-11-25 |
| Source: | Pine Journal, The (MN) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-19 05:06:55 |
LOCAL SCHOOLS HOLD D.A.R.E. GRADUATIONS
CLOQUET - Fifth- and sixth-graders from several area schools took a
life-changing step last week. They joined the ranks of students in 52
countries throughout the world by graduating from the D.A.R.E. (Drug
Awareness and Resistance Education) program.
Carlton County D.A.R.E. Officer Daryl Niemi hosted graduation
ceremonies at Queen of Peace School, Esko, Fond du Lac Ojibwe School
and St. Paul's Academy.
D.A.R.E. graduates were joined by family members, friends, teachers
and other students during the hour-long ceremony.
Niemi explained that this year's graduates are the first of their kind
since the program was restructured. He said it has been condensed from
17 weeks to 10 weeks and now centers around a new decision-making model.
"Instead of simply listing a lot of things that kids should or
shouldn't do," said Niemi, "the program now focuses on teaching
students how to make decisions on their own regarding drugs, alcohol,
peer pressure and other important challenges."
One of the highlights of the various graduation ceremonies was when
students in the program read essays they'd written about what they
learned during the D.A.R.E. instruction.
Entertainer and comedian Bill Greenwood sang, played his keyboard and
entertained the students with insightful thoughts about making wise
decisions and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. D.A.R.E. is a
collaborative effort between the sheriff's department, the schools,
parents, and community leaders, and part of its effectiveness is due
to the fact that it surrounds children with support and encouragement
from all sides.
D.A.R.E. teaches kids how to recognize and resist the direct and
subtle pressures that influence them to experiment with alcohol,
tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs.
During the program, Niemi comes into each participating school one day
a week for 10 weeks and teaches the children. The lessons are designed
so teachers can easily integrate them into their other lessons in
health, science, social studies, language arts, or other subjects.
CLOQUET - Fifth- and sixth-graders from several area schools took a
life-changing step last week. They joined the ranks of students in 52
countries throughout the world by graduating from the D.A.R.E. (Drug
Awareness and Resistance Education) program.
Carlton County D.A.R.E. Officer Daryl Niemi hosted graduation
ceremonies at Queen of Peace School, Esko, Fond du Lac Ojibwe School
and St. Paul's Academy.
D.A.R.E. graduates were joined by family members, friends, teachers
and other students during the hour-long ceremony.
Niemi explained that this year's graduates are the first of their kind
since the program was restructured. He said it has been condensed from
17 weeks to 10 weeks and now centers around a new decision-making model.
"Instead of simply listing a lot of things that kids should or
shouldn't do," said Niemi, "the program now focuses on teaching
students how to make decisions on their own regarding drugs, alcohol,
peer pressure and other important challenges."
One of the highlights of the various graduation ceremonies was when
students in the program read essays they'd written about what they
learned during the D.A.R.E. instruction.
Entertainer and comedian Bill Greenwood sang, played his keyboard and
entertained the students with insightful thoughts about making wise
decisions and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. D.A.R.E. is a
collaborative effort between the sheriff's department, the schools,
parents, and community leaders, and part of its effectiveness is due
to the fact that it surrounds children with support and encouragement
from all sides.
D.A.R.E. teaches kids how to recognize and resist the direct and
subtle pressures that influence them to experiment with alcohol,
tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs.
During the program, Niemi comes into each participating school one day
a week for 10 weeks and teaches the children. The lessons are designed
so teachers can easily integrate them into their other lessons in
health, science, social studies, language arts, or other subjects.
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