PES fifth graders attend DARE graduation
2004 marks first year for 100 percent participation
Twenty-five fifth graders attending Peabody Elementary School graduated Monday night from the DARE program.
The graduation was held by PES and the Peabody Police Department in the school's multi-purpose room.
Certificates were awarded along with DARE T-shirts.
The top three winners of the DARE essay contest also were announced. They are Bethany Loucks, first place; Thane Hurst, second place; and Harvey Hammann, third place. They received gift certificates for their hard work.
The students read their winning essays to the audience with the exception of Hurst who was absent.
Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Mike Ottensmeier was the guest speaker. He gave an inspirational message, challenging the graduates to live alcohol- and drug-free lives. Ottensmeier also stressed the importance of setting a good example for other people to follow.
Recently USD 398 and the Peabody Police Department were at a crossroads with the DARE program. The national DARE curriculum is changing due to reduced class sessions and many important factors of the original program have disappeared in an effort to streamline the curriculum and not be so time consuming, increasing the flexibility of the program.
The decision was made locally to maintain the old DARE curriculum at this time. The school district and Peabody Police Department have secured enough books to run the DARE program using the old curriculum at least six to eight more years.
One of the goals of the Peabody-Burns school district was to have 100 percent participation of all fifth graders in the DARE program. 2004 marked the first time this has happened in the past five years. Peabody Police Department expresses appreciation to the parents and guardians of these students for allowing that to happen. Strong support is essential to the continued success of DARE.
In 2004, DARE was expanded to include kindergarten through fourth grade.
A DARE account is set up at Peabody State Bank. Donations from businesses and citizens are appreciated. Currently, DARE program funds come from the school district, police department, and the local account. Anyone interested in making a donation can do so at the bank or by sending it to Sgt. Bruce F. Burke, DARE program facilitator, at the Peabody Police Department.
