41°
The ceremony took place Nov. 24 and was attended by parents, family members and teachers.
The students displayed their final projects, designed to showcase what they learned through D.A.R.E., in a gallery for viewing prior to the ceremony.
Run by Irvington Police Detectives Erik Seman and Michael Toolan, D.A.R.E. is intended to teach children to make healthy and responsible choices. During the five-week program, students learned how to resist peer pressures they might face in the coming years and how to say no to drugs and alcohol.
“We learned about all the negative effects of drinking and smoking and how we can tell other people not to do it,” fifth-grader Lucy O’Connor said. “We also learned a lot about peer pressure and we know not to do drugs or smoke when we get older.”
Main Street School Principal Joyce Chapnick said that besides the lessons on bullying and drug and alcohol abuse, D.A.R.E. also teaches students how to treat people with respect and dignity.
“The D.A.R.E. program is an incredible experience for our students,” Chapnick said. “For us, it’s also a community-building opportunity. Irvington is a small community, so developing a relationship with law enforcement early on creates a feeling of security."
Chapnick said the program was made possible through the collaboration between the District and the police department. She thanked the Irvington Education Foundation and the Irvington PTSA for their continuous and generous support. “Be proud of those kids; they worked very hard,” Detective Seman said in front of the audience before Detective Toolan introduced the D.A.R.E. graduates.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Rivertowns and receive free news updates.
