Published: May 11, 2008 11:38 pm            

ALBION SCHOOLS: Students DARE to graduate

ALBION — Fifth-grade students at Albion Elementary School graduated from the 17-week DARE program in a special ceremony Friday morning.

District Attorney Joseph Cardone served as the guest speaker, and Albion Police Chief Dean London was on hand for hearty congratulations.

Once a week throughout the program, Albion police officer Joe Fuller provided students with strategies to avoid drug- and alcohol-related peer pressure. As a reward, they all received graduation certificates.

The students dressed in special DARE T-shirts — an acronym for Drug Abuse Resistance Education — and the winners of the essay contest were given the opportunity to read their pieces. Parents and members of the school board supplied ready applause.

“The students really enjoy it. They make a connection with the police department,” said Elementary School Principal James Wood. “They see a police officer in a positive light.”

Around the world, approximately 43 million students participate in the program annually, Wood said. Of those, 26 million live in the U.S.

London instituted the program in the Albion Central School District in 1992 and served as the initial program officer. He was working with juveniles at the time and saw a need for more favorable interactions between students and the police department. DARE was the perfect prevention program to empower students.

“It builds upon our community partnership,” said grants manager Sue Starkweather. “Here at Albion, we’ve been doing it for many, many years.”

“They take it extremely seriously,” Wood said.

Nearly 160 students graduated from the program.

The 2008 contest winners chosen from each class are Nicholas Ettinger, Jayne Bannister, Morgan Seielstad, Jenna Raglan, Gabbie Struble, Drake Arnold, Mitchell Grater and Andrea' Muoio.

The department’s “Caught Being Good” program, another effort to instill a positive relationship between students and their local law enforcement, should be launched by the end of the school year, London said.

The Web site, www.albionpolice.com, is currently under construction. When completed, it will contain a page recognizing students who receive free Tasty Freeze ice cream coupons for their exceptional community service. The department will distribute the coupons based on referrals from community members.

Youth must have committed a good deed, such as raking their neighbor’s leaves or taking in the garbage, London said. Police officers with the department will also be on the lookout.

“Caught Being Good” is a collaboration with the Albion Betterment Committee. Village cost for the Web site is approximately $12 a month. The ice cream coupons were donated.

“We want to make sure (the children) know the community appreciates what they’re doing,” London said. “We focus on the negative stuff. There is so much good that goes on. ... From a law enforcement standpoint, that doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Contact reporter Nicole Colemanat 798-1400, ext. 2227.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.