First DARE Culmination At Reed School

By Tanjua Damon

Reed Intermediate School played host for the first graduating class of the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program taught to fifth grade students in cooperation with the Newtown Police Department and the school district.

Two ceremonies were held April 8 for the green house and April 10 for the blue house at the school. Students were addressed by DARE Officer Dana Schubert, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff, Chief of Police Michael Kehoe, and Principal Donna Denniston, all of whom congratulated the students on their dedication and efforts to complete the program.

Officer Schubert taught the students the program in eight weeks after the fifth graders arrived at the new school in January. The program helps students become aware of the dangers drugs pose, as well as how to deal with peer pressure, violence, and making good decisions.

Officer Schubert encouraged parents to continue to support their children in making good decisions and communicate with them so parents know what is happening in their children’s lives.

“They cannot do it alone without our support. I think we underestimate the risks they face,” Officer Schubert said. “Take a realistic stance and recognize these situations exist. The greatest number of losses come within our own community. We need to take a firmer stand.”

Officer Schubert explained to parents that Newtown is not immune to drug abuse. He told them that drugs such as heroin are coming back and students are using them.

Mr Rosenthal was pleased that the program has been successful over the years in Newtown. He also encouraged strong communication between parents and their children.

“This is a very fine program. It does meet with success,” Mr Rosenthal said. “Communication is key. Go to someone who cares about you. They will help you make the right decisions. Use strategies you have learned in DARE.”

Mr Rosenthal explained that parents in Newtown have to be setting the same example that drug and alcohol use is not acceptable for young people.

“Most parents in Newtown are setting good examples,” he said. “There are some parents that don’t always set the best examples. Children do model their parents.”

Dr Pitkoff encouraged the students to remember what the DARE program taught them and to take a stand for what they know is right.

“It’s also important to remember the lessons you have learned and fight peer pressure,” Dr Pitkoff said. “The DARE program is a positive program that helps with coping skills. No resistance program will be successful without your [parents’] help. You need to follow up. If you do that you’ll have a much better chance of being successful.”

Each of the classes wrote essays entitled, “Taking a Stand.” Officer Schubert and the fifth grade teachers selected one essay from each class to be the class representative essay. The following students’ essays were selected: Mary Alicea, Hannah Basch-Gould, Kara Brown, Berenice Bryant, Adam Buccino, Riley Cameron, William Covill, Emily Grier, Katy Howell, Margot Isaacs, Catharine Kappauf, Brian Kuruc, Lindsey Lively, Erin Manion, Andrew Nichols, Sammy Pearce, Tony Vacaro, and George Zaruba. Some of the students were selected to read their essays before their parents and peers at the culminations.

Officer Schubert ended the evening with a slide show of selected photos taken during the eight-week program showing what the students had learned.