Fifth graders at TCS recently graduated the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. This program gives students the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence.

Detective Myers of the Piscataway Police Department worked with students for 40 minutes a week for two months. Over that time the kids were taught about bullying, peer pressure, confidence, how to make good decisions and drug awareness relating to alcohol and tobacco. They also participated in “role plays” where they learned how to think quickly in tough situations.

“The program reminded me not to put drugs into your body and I liked doing the essay and poster because it made me think about all the things we learned,” says TCS 5th grader, Julie McInerney.

“I liked the D.A.R.E. program because when we go into the real world there is so much going on and decisions we have to make,” added Leah McNulty. “The D.A.R.E. program helped us to decide which decisions would be bad or good. It prepared us to make better choices.”

The graduation occurred during TCS’s annual Law Enforcement Recognition Day. Students received their certificates in front of a crowd of local and state police officers.

TCS is thankful to Detective Myers, Detective Laughlin, Mayor Wahler and the entire Piscataway Police Department for providing this service to our students.