Monday, June 27, 2011
At the latest Rockwood School District board of education meeting, administrators announced a reversal in their prior decision in May to eliminate the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. It now will continue in 2011-2012 year.
Decisions about ceasing a police officer-based drug education program executed in the Rockwood School District since 1988 were reversed at the June 16 board of education meeting. Reacting to public outcry expressed at two board of education meetings and through additional phone calls, e-mails and letters prompted when district administrators announced the surprise elimination of the popular Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program on May 12, Rockwood's drug education committee members now indicate they will approach the program's evaluation differently. Prior to a presentation at the June 16 meeting from the committee of administrators and principals, including some new members, Rockwood's board of education president Steve Smith…
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Students, parents and local police officers presented a variety of reasons that the drug-related education program, D.A.R.E., should be re-instated at Thursday's Rockwood board of education meeting. It's back on the agenda June 2.
The patron comment portion of Thursday's Rockwood School District board of education meeting was dominated by one subject, covered by a variety of speakers: requests for the district to reconsider the recent elimination of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. Approximately 45 minutes of comments and materials were exchanged with district directors and administrators about D.A.R.E. However, the decision to cancel the program did not originate with the board of directors, but rather came from Rockwood administrators. Several Rockwood board of directors indicated they were just as surprised about the development as parents were. Board of education president Steve Smith said, "There are some legitimate disagreements …
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The following comments and questions from a Rockwood School District parent were sent to Rockwood Superintendent Bruce Borchers about the district's decision to eliminate the traditional Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.
Eureka recently passed an ordinance that requires a prescription for Sudafed…an over-the-counter drug. At the time of passage, the proponents' claims included that this ordinance would assist in the “fight against the meth scourge that is encroaching on our neighborhood.” Geggie, Blevins, and Eureka Elementary schools are at the front lines of the fight against meth…literally…Franklin County has been profiled in the Post Dispatch, ABC, CBS, and the Wall Street Journal as a “meth capital”…this threat is “over the hill” from Eureka. Chief Wiegand of Eureka has indicated he will continue to fund the DARE program. Why would you end this program? Is there data to support school nurses and PE teachers are better qualified to provide a capstone…
Sunday, May 15, 2011
A total of 87 fifth graders at Blevins Elementary School in Eureka graduated Friday from the nationally acclaimed drug abuse education program. It will be the last class conducted, given Thursday's announcement from the Rockwood School District.
Smiles, tears and hugs intermingled at the graduation ceremony held Friday afternoon at Blevins Elementary School in Eureka for 87 graduates of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program. While it was a day based on achievement of the fifth graders who just completed a 10-week course with D.A.R.E. police officer Jennifer Werges, the announcement that the D.A.R.E. program no longer would be conducted at Rockwood School District elementary schools stunned the parents in attendance. "The D.A.R.E. program is really informational," said Lori Passiglia, whose daughter graduated from the program five years ago and now is a sophomore at Eureka High School. "I was really excited to have my second child participate in the program this …
Mildred
9:14 am on Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Elizabeth, I agree with you. Just because one municipality has to make changes, does not mean that the program should end for everyone. Some rethinking needs to be made! more ›