D.A.R.E.

D.A.R.E.  (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a program to help kids stay safe.  Its purpose is to provide children with decision-making skills that will help them make safe and healthy choices.  At Heritage Hill, D.A.R.E. lessons are conducted for all students, Pre-K through Fifth Grade.

For younger students, D.A.R.E. lessons focus on basic personal safety issues, such as: strangers, seat belts, bike helmets, getting help from adults, safety at play, safety around vehicles, following rules at home, dealing with angry feelings, and other age-appropriate topics.  In Third Grade, lessons begin to focus more on drugs, especially alcohol and tobacco, along with resistance skills.

The �core� program is conducted in Fifth Grade, with eleven classroom lessons.  Topics covered in Fifth Grade include: facts about alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and inhalants; peer pressure; friendship foundations; ways to be in charge; understanding advertising techniques (for alcohol and tobacco products); and resolving disagreements without violence.  The Fifth Grade curriculum is based on the D.A.R.E.� Decision-Making Model, using the steps:  Define, Assess, Respond, and Evaluate.  In order to graduate from the program, Fifth Grade students must complete exercises in their Student Planner (workbook) and write a personal essay about staying drug-free and avoiding violence.

The �mascot� for the D.A.R.E. program is Daren, the D.A.R.E. Lion.  The lion is a symbol of strength and courage-  a reminder to children of the strength and courage they need to protect themselves and to make appropriate decisions.

You can learn more about the D.A.R.E.� program from D.A.R.E. America at www.dare.com.  The website has links for kids, as well as for parents and caregivers.  You can learn more about the �Retro Bill� safety videos (used in Second and Fourth Grade classes) at www.retrobill.com.

Contact Information

About Officer Bemmes-Hoctor

Springdale Police Officer Marsha Bemmes-Hoctor serves as the D.A.R.E. Officer for Springdale Elementary School and Heritage Hill Elementary School.

Officer Bemmes has been a Police Officer for over seven years, and has been with the Springdale Police Department since the beginning of her career in 1999. Officer Bemmes has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree from Bowling Green State University, and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Xavier University. Officer Bemmes received her D.A.R.E. certification in April of 2004.

Officer Bemmes-Hoctor can be contacted through the Springdale Police Department at 346-5774, email mbemmes@springdale.org or mbemmes@princeton.k12.oh.us.

Additional Information & Links

Safety Tips for Parents

Child Safety Tips - City of Springdale