DARE-ing to achieve
The program is taught in Emerald Elementary and Manistique Middle School. The DARE “Keepin’ it REAL” program was developed in partnership with Penn State University. The Keepin’ It REAL curriculum has been identified as an Evidence-Based Program on the National Registry of Evidencebased Programs and Practices of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
A 10-lesson elementary program emphasizes making safe and responsible choices by identifying risky situations, as well as positive and negative consequences. It addresses the health effects of drugs, how to identify and report bullying, how to respond to pressure, how to recognize signs of stress and how to communicate confidently.
There are two additional lessons that address reading labels, proper storage and taking over the counter and prescription drugs safely.
Throughout the program the students interact with various situations and skits. Elementary students are also required to write an essay on what they’ve learned. Seventh graders from the middle school and St. Francis de Sales School recently completed the program, celebrating with ice cream and drawings for various prizes. Fifth grade students from Emerald Elementary and St. Francis de Sales also recently completed their program, celebrating with a culmination ceremony.
Jena Osterhout sang the National Anthem, and students performed skits and two essays, one chosen from each class, were read.
Student essays by Emmalyn Braun, Sam Rochon, Kayla Muth, Emily King, Delaney Zellar, and Gunner Collins were selected to receive a gift certificate to Cinema 1. Gunner Collins essay was selected as the top of six, and he was awarded with a medallion and the DARE mascot, “Daren” the lion.
DARE is 100 percent donation funded.