Heather Latter
New programs
to start up
in the fall
OPP Cst. Anne McCoy called it “the end of an era,” as the final class in the Rainy River District graduated from the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program last Tuesday night at Robert Moore School.
“We discussed alcohol, nicotine and tobacco, and marijuana, but most importantly D.A.R.E. gets [OPP officers] into the schools. I develop a friendship with these students and they tell me what they’re thinking,” voiced Cst. McCoy, prior to presenting each Grade 5 student with a certificate.
“It’s been fun and worthwhile,” she added, citing how proud she is of the students for completing and participating in the program.
Having been in the district for over 16 years, the D.A.R.E. program saw 26 local OPP officers trained.
The Fort Frances detachment was also one of the first trained in the province.
“It’s been evolving over the years,” Cst. McCoy indicated. “And I’m proud to have been a part of it.”
She also awarded three students top honours for their essays depicting what they learned in the D.A.R.E. program.
Victoria McEvoy placed first, followed by Carleigh Bates and Jocelyn George. All three shared their essays with those in attendance.
But while Cst. McCoy spoke about “the end of an era,” she explained it is also “the beginning of a new one.”
The OPP, along with other community partners, has determined the current trends facing local schools and decided to replace the D.A.R.E. program with presentations focusing on bullying and Internet safety.
“We’re changing the program to reflect the changing times,” voiced OPP detachment commander Insp. John Kendrick, citing students today are now facing different challenges.
“The Internet safety and anti-bullying programs will be a reflection of what is taught in D.A.R.E. and that’s about making the right choices and self esteem,” he added.
“These will be evident in the new programs, which will reach all grades from kindergarten to high school—not just the Grade 5/6 classes,” noted Insp. Kendrick.
Cst. McCoy will spend the next few months creating brand new presentations for Gr. SK-3, intermediate grades, high school and parents to be offered in the fall.
The presentations will be designed using multi-media and will strive to teach the students, as well as keep them interested in the topics.
“I’m excited about the new direction and believe it’s a fresh and important realignment for my current position as Community Services Officer for the Rainy River District,” she expressed.
She noted the new direction will better align her position with what the communities want—community cohesiveness—as they work together with various initiatives such as the Safe Schools initiatives, Threat Assessment Community Protocols, character education, lockdown procedures, alternative dispute resolution training, the Respect Campaign, and Rachel’s Challenge.
The new programs will continue to be supported by Gord McQuarrie and the local Tim Hortons, who made an official presentation of funds to the D.A.R.E. program during the graduation ceremony.
The money was raised as a result of a record number of “Smile Cookies” sales equalling $3,870.
To conclude the final D.A.R.E. graduation, a dance was held with more than 100 students attending from Robert Moore, St. Francis, and J.W. Walker Schools.
Together, $200 was raised in support of the KidSport program here.
