D.A.R.E. is a substance abuse prevention program developed to teach kids to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance use, and other dangerous behaviors. The Penn-Trafford School District, in partnership with the Penn Township Police, utilizes the D.A.R.E. curriculum in all of its elementary schools.
Officer Chad Meyers of the Penn Township Police taught D.A.R.E. lessons to all the district’s 5th-grade students beginning in September and ending with an essay contest and graduation celebration in December.
To celebrate the students’ pledge to be drug-free, Officer Meyers presented every student with a T-shirt. He also selected one winner from each 5th-grade class whose essay best expressed what they learned and can take away from D.A.R.E.
Winners of the essay contest are:
Harrison Park Elementary - Trey Miller, Ryan Pratkanis, and Nikolas Reese
McCullough Elementary – Brianna Bartolini, Jordan Earhart, and Noah Hiller
Sunrise Estates Elementary – Juliette Donis, Mackenzie Cameron, and Nova Guler