This afternoon Macks Creek Elementary held a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Graduation Ceremony for this year’s fifth & sixth grade classes. DARE is a Police officer-led series of classroom lessons that teaches children how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives. The Macks Creek School District is grateful to the Camden County Sheriff’s Department for making this highly engaging fourteen-week experience available to our students every year!
We are also grateful to our school resource officer for their willingness to serve as our DARE officer and work with a new class of students each year. DARE officers undergo a rigorous 80-hour training course conducted by mentors with many years of experience in the classroom and as university-level educators.
At this year’s ceremony, the SRO welcomed everyone, conducted a brief overview of the tenets of the program and thanked the students for their dedication to the 14-week program. After coordinating with our elementary principal, Dr. Jori Phillips, the 5th & 6th grade teachers as well as Mrs. Martha Rector, our librarian and Mr. Tanner Glodt, our elementary counselor to schedule times to present weekly lessons to our 5th and 6th grade students. Each of these individuals were thanked and were on-hand to celebrate with the students and assist with the ceremony. Each student received a certificate of completion and was individually recognized.
Mrs. McDonald and her class.
Mrs. Miller and her class.
Mrs. Thompson and her class.
Mrs. Allen and her class.
Every year after going through the program, students are asked to author an essay summarizing the DARE experience and discuss the negative impacts of drugs and alcohol. Two outstanding essays were selected to be recognized. Alejandra Sanchez Chavez wrote the most outstanding 5th grade essay and Gracelyn Deckard wrote the most outstanding 6th grade essay. Both girls received a medal and a stuffed DARE mascot, nicknamed “Daren” in appreciation of their effort.
Allie Sanchez Chavez was recognized for writing the "Most Outstanding" 5th grade essay.
Gracie Deckard was recognized for writing the "Most Outstanding" 6th grade Essay.
DARE focuses on ways to help kids make good, smart decisions. It also gives them options on how to say ‘no’ to things and who they can go to if they need help or think someone else needs help. DARE also provides law enforcement officers an outstanding platform to work with and get to know kids in our communities. It also helps build positive relationships between deputies, the community, staff and students. Many parents may remember the DARE training they received as elementary students. The program has changed through the years and continues to utilize sound research-based techniques and strategies to educate children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol as well as ways to recognize and thwart negative peer pressue and bullying. To learn more please visit: https://dare.org/.
Macks Creek School would like to congratulate the DARE Graduating Class of 2023! We expect they will make the most of their DARE training by making positive life choices.
Jason, Ike and all of the DARE graduates enjoyed snacks after the ceremony.
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