On Thursday, January 16th Boothville –Venice Elementary held the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) ceremony with 5th grade students. In attendance during the ceremony was Captain Steve Zegura, Captain James Davis, Sergeant James Comeaux, Deputy Lauren Babin, School Board Member Mrs. Jennifer Sanger, and Principal Mrs. M. Prout.
The DARE program envisions a world in which students everywhere are empowered to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance abuse, and other dangerous behaviors. D.A.R.E follows a curriculum that is based on the Socio-Emotional Learning Theory (SELT). The SELT strategy teaches youth to control their impulses and think about risks and consequences resulting in more responsible choices. Students participated in a twelve week course that was educated by Lieutenant Cody Portie, of Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Office with the assistance of Mrs. L. Williams.
“All in all, D.A.R.E teaches kids about what happens if they make bad choices. D.A.R.E should stay a program at BVES. I have learned a lot. I want other kids to understand if they are doing anything bad, they should fix it because there are negative consequences. But there are also positive consequences for positive choices,” said Mylee Guidry, who was one of the 3 students that was chosen as DARE essay winners.
D.A.R.E. Essay winners pose with Lt. Portie and Principal Prout. Kolie Johnson, Mylee Guidry, and Vinkimson Khoeun.
Mia Matthews pose with Lt. Cody Portie after receiving completion certificate.