A special thank you to Mr. Jacobs for working with Officer Mike Tollett to bring the D.A.R.E. program back to Walpole Elementary after a twelve year hiatus.  A thank you as well to Chief Paquette for his support of the efforts of both Officer Tollett and the teachers; Justin Cassarino, Jackie Ronning, Jana Sellarole (teacher intern), and Linda Lake (class aide) – Lil

45 children took part in the D.A.R.E. program.  D.A.R.E. is a ten-week program that stresses personal responsibility, a decision-making model and role playing to emphasize a drug free/healthy lifestyle.  Students are empowered to take charge of the peer pressure that they will be faced with as they grow older.

For his part, Officer Tollett took special training in order to lead the program.  He prepared the lessons and worked directly with the students.  A goal of the program is to teach students that police officers are their friend and should be seen as a help if needed.  It would appear that this goal was reached thanks to his efforts.

Students had to complete lessons, a workbook, homework and a one to one and a half page essay in order to complete the program and graduate today.  For their efforts they received a sports bag, a sports water bottle, bumper stickers, a Walpole Police Junior Officer sticker, and three neon pencils.  Each student was awarded a certificate from the dignitaries (Chief Paquette, Representative Tara Sad, Superintendent Debbie Livingston, Selectman Chas Street, School Board member Lilla DeCoste and Principal Sam Jacobs) who came to honor their work.

If there was a question of what they learned, one only had to listen to Gabriel Andrus and James Ronning  read their winning essays explaining what they now feel capable of doing.  They spoke of strategies they can now utilize when confronted with peer pressure, or to make good decisions and deal with bullying.  In Superintendent Debbie Livingston‘s remarks she also mentioned that one student told her that she finds the decision making model even helpful when getting dressed for school.  It is quicker now because she no longer has to say, “eenie, meenie, minni, mo”!

After the ceremony, students and parents enjoyed a pizza party provided by Diamond Pizza and the Walpole Police Department.  The students say, “It was fun and a great educational experience.  Thank you Officer Tollett.”