SHARON — Students at Sharon Center School enjoyed their first of two graduations at the end of this year. This one was held Friday and was for the D.A.R.E. program that students in grades one through eight were involved in for the last several months of the school year.
D.A.R.E. — “Drug Abuse Resistance Education� — has been around for many years, but has evolved over time.
Sharon Center School is the only Connecticut school that teaches grades one through eight instead of just grades five and six. Usually only two of the grades can participate in the program because of budget issues. This year, the school was able to work with Connecticut State Trooper David Galm, who has taught the program before and who volunteered to teach all of the students.
Galm led the graduation ceremony with the help of the teachers from the different grades. The parents listened intently as he explained what the students had learned throughout the program.
“I wanted the students to learn how to think for themselves and ask themselves four questions before they do something,� explained Galm. “Will I hurt myself, will I hurt someone else, will I break something or will I get in trouble.�
The students also demonstrated their knowledge of the program by making colorful posters that hung throughout the gym on graduation day. There was a lot of focus on smoking and some of the ways to say “No� if offered drugs or alcohol.
Sixth-grade student Jesse Mohring seemed to sum up the program on his hand-drawn poster. “D.A.R.E. class can help you make the right choices at the right time and place.�
Some of the ways that the students learned how to say “No� seemed simple enough — but a young person might struggle to find the words when a friend wants to do something that isn’t right. Some of these ways included: changing the subject, stating the facts about drugs, using humor or just plain walking away.
The program has come a long way since its creation in 1983. Students are now dealing with issues like computer safety and learning ways to protect themselves while on the Internet. There is now also a large focus on bullying in school and ways for students to calm down when angry.
Each student successfully completed the D.A.R.E. program and was called up by name to receive a diploma. Several students also won awards for posters and essays written about everything from peer pressure to making the right life choices.
Galm is passionate about the program. His words to the parents in the audience seemed to explain the reasons why:
“I want them to not just remember this information for the school year,� said Galm. “I want them to remember these lessons for the rest of their lives.�
