Sixth graders at South Orangetown Middle School officially graduated from the D.A.R.E. program this morning after completing 10 lessons with officers from the Orangetown Police Department.
Over the course of 10 weeks, D.A.R.E. Officers including Officer Luke Graney and Detective Brandon Myers visited sixth grade English classes and students learned about the Define, Assess, Respond and Evaluate decision-making model to help them in various situations they may encounter through role play, classroom discussions and question and answer sessions. As their culminating project, students had to create a poster which summarized topics covered including peer pressure, communication and conflict, risks and consequences and how to make safe and responsible choices. During the graduation ceremony, Officer Graney and Detective Myers announced that sixth graders Tristian K., Matthew W., Homi K. and Adrianna S. created the top 3 posters.
“Empowering sixth grade students through the D.A.R.E. program not only fosters a strong foundation for informed decision-making but also cultivates a sense of responsibility, resilience and positive peer interactions, laying the groundwork for a safer and healthier future,” said SOMS Assistant Principal Danielle Rodriguez-Page, Ed.D. “We would like to personally thank Officer Graney, Detective Myers and the Orangetown Police Department for all of their hard work.”