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Madison Elementary students showcase DARE lessons and final projects
Summary
Madison Elementary students presented what they learned in a 10-week DARE course including decision-making, stress management and final creative projects; school counselor Kristen McDonald and Officer Llewellyn were credited for the program's return.
Madison Elementary students on Tuesday presented highlights from a 10-week DARE course that staff say helped them practice decision-making and strategies for managing stress.
"We are so lucky to have Officer Llewellyn join us twice a week for 10 weeks," said Kristen McDonald, the school counselor, who introduced the student presentations and thanked nurse Sarah Rodriguez and parent volunteer Heather O'Donnell for their support. Students described classroom activities, the DDMM (DARE decision-making model) and hands-on projects — posters, slideshows, comics and a board game — that summarized learning.
One student told the board, "Something that stuck out to me was how many people die out of either smoking, vaping, drugs, alcohol, and even secondhand smoke. I will definitely be keeping that in mind when I'm making good decisions." Another student highlighted stress-management strategies and role plays as their favorite parts.
School staff said the program returned this year after a grant and local support. A staff member noted Chief Hayford had applied for grant funds that enabled Officer Llewellyn to be trained and available to deliver the curriculum. McDonald said the classroom projects will be kept as examples for future DARE classes.
The board received the students' presentations with applause and thanked the participants for speaking publicly. No formal action was required; the board asked staff to consider ways to reuse the student materials in future instruction.
