CCSD reintroduces modern DARE curriculum to Kirtland and Judy Nelson; sheriff’s deputy to expand program
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Summary
Central Consolidated District launched the revamped, evidence‑based DARE 'Keeping It Real' curriculum on Feb. 10 at two elementary schools and plans expansion to middle and high schools next year, delivered by Deputy Corey Verhar of the San Juan County Sheriff's Office.
Central Consolidated School District announced on Feb. 19 that a modern, evidence‑based DARE curriculum returned to parts of the district on Feb. 10, with the San Juan County Sheriff's Office providing a certified DARE officer for 10‑week lessons at Kirtland Elementary and Judy Nelson Elementary.
Deputy Corey Verhar, the certified DARE officer, outlined the program’s structure and objectives, calling the program "evidence based" and describing interactive lessons that teach decision‑making and communication strategies. "I believe in this 100%," Verhar said, describing enthusiastic student engagement during the first two lessons.
District staff said the curriculum is scaffolded from kindergarten through grade 12: elementary and middle-school lessons run 10 weeks, and high-school content is shorter. Verhar and district staff said the program emphasizes skills—"fuse, explain, avoid and leave"—to teach students how to resist peer pressure and make safe choices. The district described partnerships with the sheriff’s office and plans to expand the program into Shiprock and Newcomb regions in a later phase.
Board members asked about evaluation and longitudinal data. The presenter said multi-year studies show declines in juvenile crime and substance use in jurisdictions using the updated curriculum and offered to share specific research findings with the board.
The district said it will track local Panorama results to measure DARE’s effectiveness and align program data with other district indicators.
