Last week my husband and I spent a few days in Indiana with family, where our older grandson was graduating from grade school—and his school’s D.A.R.E. program. It was quite an event! Maybe that’s because the D.A.R.E. program has matured a lot, like the kids do. Years ago, it was “D.A.R.E to keep kids off drugs,” and that’s still part of it, but they also teach children a lot about being good people, nice to one another, as well as staying off drugs. A quote from online: “D.A.R.E. provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice good decision-making skills to lead safe and healthy lives.”
This event was amazing, with all the graduating fifth graders
sitting in bleachers facing their families, all wearing D.A.R.E. t-shirts.
Awards were given, and in addition to the school’s principal the town’s mayor
was present, as well as others—including several uniformed police officers who
were in charge of the D.A.R.E. program.
I didn’t get any writing done during those few days, but I’m home
now and working on edits and my next Shelter of Secrets book for Harlequin Romantic
Suspense. Getting busy once more! And yes, my pups keep me company, although
Roxie is spending some time in sunny spots on the floor.
8 comments:
Good morning -- How nice that you got to be in Indiana for your grandson's graduation. My daughter is a 4th grade teacher and she's talked about the D.A.R.E. program. It's amazing what kids learn nowadays -- so much advanced from when I was in school. Dana teaches her kids geometry -- I got that in 10th grade!!
I had my annual doctor appointment on Monday and am happy to say I'm in great health. The doctor was amazed that I am 86 -- he wanted to know my secret to a long, healthy life. I told him good genes, moderate living and enjoying every day. My son says he thinks it's because I don't worry -- worry does no good.
I, of course, continue to crochet a lot -- I saw the acronym SABLE -- stands for "Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy." I've got to live a long time to use up all my yarn!! My daughter collects books for school projects, my son has a huge collection of old records and CDs and I have my yarn -- we're each happy!!
Enjoy your writing and your pups.
Would be interesting to hear what your daughter, as a teacher, says about D.A.R.E., Patty.
And glad to hear you're in good health!
Have fun crocheting.
In our town/school, the kids get their tshirts at DARE graduation. And, they can show up at the town's 4th of July parade and march in a group with the DARE officer. I have heard the officer say that for many of the kids, it is their first positive interaction with law enforcement. The officer is very popular with the kids and I have heard that, if there is a serious family situation with law enforcement, occasionally a preteen/teen will ask for the DARE officer's presence. Not so sure about the anti-drug skills personally, but I do support the program.
*Disclaimer, my son is a police detective, but not a DARE officer.
I think it's really special that the local police get involved with the D.A.R.E. program, Miss Merry. I'd imagine it helps kids pay more attention to what the program is intended to teach them.
My daughter loves the D.A.R.E. program -- the officers who come to school and work with the kids are amazing, There was a situation a week or so ago with two boys getting into a shoving match -- one of them said "You can be glad I don't have a gun." The boys were immediately taken to the office and sheriff's office called. The officer who came out was the guy who does the program and he talked to both boys, not in an accusatory tone but more "let's figure out what could have been done to settle your problem." There were consequences, of course, but the kids learned a lot.
How nice that you got to see your grandson graduate. My head has been in Indiana lately as I was working on something that takes place in a small Indiana town about 50 miles from Chicago and near the Dunes. So many happy memories from going there when I was a kid.
That's wonderful and amazing that those boys were taught that way by law enforcement not to threaten, Patty--and it certainly makes sense.
And I have happy memories from Indiana now, Betty! How fun that you're working on a story that's there.
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