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D.A.R.E. Keeps It Real at CVUSD!

The District is proud to bring back the revamped Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program to CVUSD elementary schools! In addition to educating students about drug use, gangs, and violence, the D.A.R.E. “Keeping it REAL” curriculum helps students develop good decision-making skills, execute effective problem-solving strategies, and exercise self-advocacy.

After debuting at Liberty Elementary School last year, the 2023-2024 school year saw the program’s expansion into fifth grade classes at Newman ES, Walnut ES, Cal Aero Preserve Academy, Rhodes ES, Cattle ES, Anna Borba ES, Levi Dickey ES, E.J. Marshall ES, and Doris Dickson ES.

Led by Officer Matthew Solano of the Chino Police Department, students participated in weekly 45-minute lessons over 10 weeks that taught them about risks and consequences to negative choices, how to practice effective communication, and how to maintain a “help network” of friends, family, and trusted peers. The curriculum presented students with difficult scenarios related to drug use, peer pressure, and bullying, provided an open forum to ask questions, and gave the opportunity to engage in group-based role-playing activities. Students practiced resistance strategies using skits that deal with scenarios they may encounter in their day-to-day activities.

To celebrate their success completing the program, students were recognized with a graduation ceremony complete with speeches, certificates, and of course, an official D.A.R.E. T-shirt!

After each ceremony, Officer Solano kept his promise to students and invited graduates to check out Chino PD police cruisers and ask attending officers and department administration questions.

Thank you, Chino PD, school administrators, and the CVUSD Risk Management Department for helping make the D.A.R.E.  program a reality again in our district!

Student walking across stage during DARE graduation.  D.A.R.E. graduates posing for a photo.Students checking out Chino PD police cruisers.  D.A.R.E. gradates sitting and listening to a Chino PD officer speak.Male student sitting in the front seat of a Chino PD cruiser.  Male D.A.R.E. student high-fiving police officers during graduation.D.A.R.E. graduates posing for a group photo on stage during graduation.  Officer Solano speaking to students inside the Cal Aero multipurpose room