Liberty Elementary School in Margate Holds D.A.R.E. Graduation Ceremony. {David Volz}
Liberty Elementary School in Margate held a D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony on January 21 for fifth graders who had completed the ten-week program.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or D.A.R.E., is an American education program that attempts to prevent the use of controlled drugs, membership in gangs, and violent behavior.
Margate Mayor Arlene Schwartz and commissioners Tommy Ruzzano and Anthony Caggiano attended the event. Parents of the fifth graders were invited, and some attended the ceremony, held in the school cafeteria.
According to Margate police officer Paul Lindeman, the school resource officer who led the program, students received ten lessons, including learning to avoid alcohol and tobacco, make safe/responsible choices, deal with stressful situations, learn the basics of communication, deal with bullying, help and get help from others.
The students also learn about the D.A.R.E. Decision Making Model. This includes Describing the problem, Assessing the choices, Responding by making the best choice, and Evaluating that choice. If a student is peer-pressured to smoke a cigarette, they decide to smoke or not smoke. If they choose to smoke, they are doing something that is illegal and will have negative health consequences, according to Lindeman.
 The D.A.R.E. program began in Los Angeles schools in 1983 as a way to deal with gangs and drug problems and began to focus on better citizenship. According to Lindeman, the program follows a Keepin’ It Real curriculum.
Students were encouraged to write an essay about their experiences in D.A.R.E. The top girl and boy essay writers in each class were recognized. The top girl was Julia Louis, and the top boy was Landon Nunez.
“I am proud of all my students,” said Lindeman. “They did an incredible job, and it was a great accomplishment for them.”
Caggiano praised the students and said they would be judged on their character. “You can conquer adversity,” he said,
Schwartz added that D.A.R.E. was a good program, helping students make better choices and become good citizens.
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