Fifth graders recognized for work to keep safe through D.A.R.E.

Fifth graders at the Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School walked into the cafetorium, all wearing bright red t-shirts. Seated on the stage, it was a powerful display of strength and resilience.

Students were there to celebrate their completion of the D.A.R.E., or Drug AbuseResistance Education program. 

“What incredible energy in this room,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Alm at the start of the ceremony.

Based on his observations of the training students had undergone thanks to the efforts of D.A.R.E. Officer Michael Caridi, Dr. Alm said when visiting different classrooms, he observed students asking good questions and absorbing important information.

“Your real job is not to just say no to bad choices, but you now have an incredible support system standing behind you. Whether it’s your parents, your teachers, your counselors, your principals or our dedicated law enforcement officers, they are all here for you. You never have to navigate a tough decision alone,” Dr. Alm said.

The ceremony was a culmination of months-long work by the students and program directors to help students learn and develop strategies to feel confident enough to say no to not only using substances, but to stand up for themselves and their friends. 

“Our fifth graders have been engaging in many meaningful conversations in situations that build their social resistance skills, problem solving and conflict management and understanding what it means when you say no and the consequences of when you say yes,” said Principal Tracy Taylor.

Ms. Taylor reminded the students what D.A.R.E means: D-Define the situation, A-Asses their choices, R-Respond to the situation and E-Evaluate.

“Bluebirds it’s not about what the letters stand for, but about being yourself and not letting negative influences gets to you. In a matter of seconds, you can make a decision that will affect the rest of your lives, and your life is too precious and too valuable to make a decision that someone else pushed you into for reasons that were not clearly your own.”

Rye Brook Deputy Mayor David Heiser noted the emphasis the community has put on supporting the D.A.R.E. program, and the many people who have supported the work.

“Thank you so much for caring for our children,” he said. 

D.A.R.E. Officer Caridi also addressed the parents in attendance as well as the entire fifth grade class.

“It is an extremely rewarding experience being a D.A.R.E. officer,” he said, adding that the program is “a pillar of community policing,” and vital in helping develop a relationship between the youth of the community and the police.

“They can come to us if they need guidance and assistance,” he said.

After having gone through the program Officer Caridi told the students that they are now equipped with skills to make safe and responsible choices.

“I hope you can use the knowledge you learned here,” he told the students, reminding them “sometimes doing the right thing will be the most difficult thing to do.”

“Take this knowledge and become productive citizens and contributing members of society,” Officer Caridi encouraged. 

The celebration also included announcing winners of the D.A.R.E. essay writing contest. Recipients received a certificate for their work and a plush D.A.R.E. lion.

Student Cooper M. was invited to read his winning essay.

“I learned how to communicate verbally and non-verbally, the effects of cigarettes, drugs and alcohol. I also learned how to make decisions using the D.A.R.E. decision making model,” Cooper read.

He explained too how he has a better understanding of how to communicate well, that it’s not just words, but body language and paying attention to what he is being told. 

Using personal experience, Cooper said he learned how to be more responsible. When confronted with a time conflict as two activities took place at the same time, Cooper explained how he divided the time he spent at each activity. He stayed after school to work with his Destination Imagination team but left early so he could meet his obligations for his jiu jitsu class. 

“If I did this option I could do both,” Cooper said. “I think it was a good choice because I got to do both.”

“I will always keep the information I learned in D.A.R.E. with me in the future,” Cooper concluded.

Several students were honored with Spirit Awards, before each D.A.R.E. participant was called up one by one to receive a certificate of completion.