New schedule announced for DARE program
Peabody-Burns fifth grade students will begin a new year of DARE instruction Sept. 22 by the Peabody Police Department.
Officer Bruce Burke once again will be the officer in charge of the program.
Fifth graders usually get involved in the program in the second semester and Burke works with kindergarten through fourth grade students during the first half of the year. Due to so many end-of-the-year scheduling conflicts for the older students, Burke has "flip-flopped" the groups this year and will be working first with the fifth graders.
Burke spends about 45 minutes a week in the classroom with the students helping them identify ways to say no to violence, drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.
In his work with the younger students, Burke visits each classroom at least once, giving him a chance to meet the students and explain some of the many areas DARE covers.
Safety is a big issue with the lower grades. Burke says he covers topics like "guns (or chemicals) in the home," "school bus safety," "railroad track safety," "strangers," and "cross-walk safety."
"The idea is to make them aware of some of the dangers and how to handle themselves and stay safe," Burke said.
Peabody Police Chief Jeff Pohlman added there is a DARE fund at the Peabody State Bank to help defray the cost of the materials Officer Burke uses to work with the students. Contributions to the fund are always needed and welcome.
DARE graduation will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 8, 2004, in the multi-purpose room of Peabody Elementary.
