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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Nine Canfield Village Middle School fifth-graders were featured at the school’s DARE Program graduation assembly as they read essays they had written which answered the question, "Why do I think DARE is important?" on Nov. 6. Canfield Schools Resource Officer Steve Garstka (back, left) and Canfield Police Department Detective Brian McGivern (back, right) spoke to the students at the assembly.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield Schools Resource Officer Steve Garstka (left) and Canfield Police Department Detective Brian McGivern (right) spoke to Canfield Village Middle School fifth-graders during the school’s DARE Program graduation assembly on Nov. 6.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.A Canfield Village Middle School fifth-grade student read his essay which answered the question, ‘Why do I think DARE is important?’ during the school’s DARE Program graduation assembly on Nov. 6.
By ABBY SLANKER
Canfield Village Middle School fifth-grade students celebrated its DARE Program graduation with an assembly and a reception in the school cafeteria on Nov. 6. The DARE Program is presented to the students through a partnership with the Canfield Police Department.
CVMS Principal Judd Rubin welcomed the students.
“Welcome to our first annual DARE graduation assembly. We have participated in the DARE Program for many years. I would like to thank our teachers for their help with the program, too.” Rubin said.
Rubin then turned the assembly over to Canfield Schools Resource Officer Steve Garstka.
“Welcome DARE graduates. This is all about you guys. The reason we are celebrating is because you have all finished the DARE program. In middle school you have more responsibility, and as you go on, you take on even more responsibility. There are lots of choices for you to make and it is important to make good decisions. The decisions you make now will impact the rest of your life,” Officer Garstka said.
Before introducing guest speaker Canfield Police Department Detective Brian McGivern, Garstka had some high praise for the fifth-graders.
“I have little to no concerns about your future. You are intelligent and you have an array of awesome personalities. You are a great class and I am very proud of you guys. Your class has set the bar high. Keep it up,” Garstka said.
Detective McGivern also encouraged the students to make good decisions.
“Thank you for allowing me to be here today. This is your first year out of elementary school and you are more mature now. You are making decisions on your own. Life is very easy, and you are the one who could make it difficult with the decisions you make. There might be a time and a place where you may encounter drugs and alcohol and your decision is what will make your life easy or difficult. Congratulations on completing the DARE Program and thank you, I appreciate your attention today,” Det. McGivern said.
To close the assembly, nine fifth-grade students read essays they had written which answered the question, ‘Why do I think DARE is important?’
Following the assembly, the students gathered in the cafeteria for refreshments.