D.A.R.E. Builds Self Awareness; Officer Budde Learns Sign Language

Students gathered with representatives from the District and the Harrison Police Department for the annual D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony.  School Resource Officer Robbie Budde welcomed all to the ceremony and shared reflections about the year; part of his welcome was in sign language which Officer Budde learned to communicate with a hearing impaired student in the class. Sixth grade students at LMK Middle School participate in the D.A.R.E. program, which raises student awareness and understanding about being empowered, respecting others and choosing non-violent, substance free lives. At the end of the course, students write essays reflecting on all they learned. Twelve student essays were selected for best reflecting the DARE experience (pictured above); Ryder Margolies was chosen to read at the graduation.  When asked to share one lesson from DARE that he uses in daily life, Ryder replied, “It’s ok to have pressure, but you need to learn how to deal with it….slow down, and take deep breaths.”