Pubdate: Fri, 20 Feb 2004
Source: Exeter News-Letter (NH)
Copyright: 2004 Exeter News-Letter
Contact:  http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/exeter
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3209
Author: Chris Hayden
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

DARE COMES TO NEWFIELDS

NEWFIELDS - The Newfields Elementary School has added a new member to its 
community. The DARE program was launched on Monday afternoon to the delight 
of 37 fifth-grade children.

Last week Cpl. Chris Hutchins, of the Newfields Police Department, was 
presented with a $415 check from the Newmarket Masonic Lodge to help with 
costs associated with the program.

On Monday, the first-time DARE officer stood in front of eager students in 
Mrs. Bzdafka's classroom. They were more excited to see the officer than 
most people he encounters through their driver's side window, although the 
officer was tested when principal Dennis Dobe came over the intercom and 
canceled recess due to the frigid weather.

Hutchins asked the students if anyone knew what DARE stood for, and was 
greeted with a sea of quivering hands. A child nervously answered the 
officer: DARE stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education.

Hutchins went on to talk about what drugs, abuse, resistance and education 
means. The students gave their attention as Hutchins spoke about the 
program and the rules that come with it.

The program is 10 weeks long, and the students will work with Officer 
Hutchins to learn to make healthy choices in life, learn the necessary 
skills involved in making those healthy choices and gain education as to 
what drugs are, how they impact people and how to handle situations in 
which drugs may come up.

After weathering the protests of a canceled recess, Hutchins was once again 
tested when he announced a 20-question pop quiz, but the corporal came 
through in the end, as the kids bent over their exams working through the 
questions.

As Monday's class was a "get to know you" session, Hutchins told the 
students about himself, and then asked the students to tell him something 
about themselves. Hutchins then presented what proved to be the highlight 
of the afternoon, as Darren, the DARE lion, was shown to a response amid 
excited discussion and laughter among the students. Darren would be 
presented to the student who provided the most help to the instructor and 
the class. While Darren couldn't be brought home by the student, the lion 
would be in the students' possession throughout the class.

Hutchins also presented the room with a "DARE Box." He chose three students 
from each classroom to help decorate the boxes, which will serve as 
anonymous question boxes for students. If a student in the program has any 
questions that they may find embarrassing or awkward, the student can put 
the question in the box for Hutchins to address to the entire class, or in 
any other way he sees fit.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom