Bagnall students Haylee Cuneo, left, and Fiona Walsh, right, received special recognitions from D.A.R.E. Officer Sgt. Josh Sindoni for their essays on what the program has meant to them. Fifty-three students participated in a D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony on Thursday, March 30, which included Chief Jeffrey Gillen, D.A.R.E. Officer Sgt. Josh Sindoni, Lt. Heather Riley, and Officer Chris L’Italien.
Superintendent Justin Bartholomew, Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen, and Interim Principal Brenda Erhardt are pleased to spotlight the positive efforts of the Groveland Police Department and its D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) program at the Bagnall Elementary School.
Fifty-three students participated in a D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony on Thursday, March 30.
Sgt. Josh Sindoni facilitates the D.A.R.E. program, which teaches students drug and alcohol resistance, but also empathy, respect, responsibility, communications, anti-bullying techniques, how to deal with stress, and the importance of making good decisions.
The D.A.R.E. program is supported through the Groveland Police Department budget. Sgt. Sindoni has proposed a “pay it forward” event, possibly a car wash, to help fund next year’s program.
“The entire Bagnall community is grateful to Chief Jeffrey Gillen, Sgt. Sindoni, and the entire Groveland Police Department for their collaboration with our students and staff,” Interim Principal Erhardt said. “They have made a significant impact on our students.”
“Our Department is proud to support our Bagnall students and teach them about the effects of drugs and alcohol, but also how to make the best decisions,” Chief Gillen said. “In D.A.R.E. we want them to ‘Define’ the problem, ‘Assess’ their choices, ‘Respond’ with facts, and ‘Evaluate’ their choices.”