DARE Graduates Class Of 'Empowered' Fifth Graders

About 250 fifth graders from got a sneak peek at Friday night during their graduation ceremony from the D.A.R.E., “Drug Abuse Resistance Education,” Program.

Run by the and taught to Mahwah’s students by Mahwah police officers, D.A.R.E. classes teach students skills that help them resist peer pressure to become involved with drugs, alcohol, violence and other risky behaviors.

According to Mahwah Officer Joe Horn, an MMA member who coordinates the program, D.A.R.E classes are taught as part of the core curriculum to fifth grade students, during health classes to seventh graders, and during Driver’s Ed to tenth grade students. Each curriculum is geared to each age group.

The MMA also “supplements our DARE programming with anti-bullying presentations in Joyce Kilmer and Ramapo Ridge Middle School, and do presentations about alcohol use to juniors and seniors at ,” he said.

During the ceremony, Horn thanked the district’s administration for “recognizing the importance” of D.A.R.E., and “allowing police officers to take up precious minutes of the school day with D.A.R.E. instruction.”

The students and their parents were addressed by Horn, Mahwah Police Chief James Batelli, Mayor Bill Laforet and other members of the MMA. Laforet presented an appreciation plaque to Daryl and Jackie Secor, owners of , in recognition of the couple’s longtime support of the MMA and the D.A.R.E. program.

Students were told that they are “empowered” and “prepared” to make good decisions upon entering the middle school next year.

Have any photos from Friday night’s graduation ceremony? Add them to the gallery!

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