Malia’s DARE graduation was today. All three of my boys were also able to participate in the DARE program, so this was not my first rodeo. In fact, this afternoon’s program was exactly the same as the other three. Even the guest speaker was the same. She’s a good speaker and she has a meaningful story to share with the kids, so it was ok though. As with the boys, each student is required to write an essay in order to graduate from the program. The topic of the essay is whichever of the ten lessons are a student’s favorite. The DARE officer (a police officer from the local force) reads all the essays and chooses the best one from each class. The winner from each class reads their essay as part of the graduation program. Malia’s essay was one of two that Officer Jake had trouble deciding between. He waffled back and forth, back and forth until he finally decided to give Malia’s classmate top honors leaving Malia in second place. Malia was actually very happy about that. Of late, she has been very nervous about talking in front of groups and she really, really didn’t want to read her essay in front of the entire fifth grade, all the parents, the DARE officer, the chief of police, the mayor, the principal, and the former Miss Utah who was our guest speaker.
In past years the kids have gone on a field trip to Texas Roadhouse for lunch and line dancing as a way to celebrate the completion of the program. Daniel and Nathan both had a great time on their respective field trips. Since Texas Roadhouse has peanuts on all the tables, there was no way that Matthew could attend his field trip safely, so I checked him out of school and took him to a movie instead. I had planned to check Malia out like I did for Matthew, but I was greatly pleased when info about a change in routine trickled down to the parents. This year, instead of the Texas Roadhouse trip, there were DARE discount days at both Lagoon and Boondocks which meant that Malia was actually able to participate in her celebration. Kevin drove Malia and two of her friends to Boondocks last Friday and then let them loose to enjoy their visit. This is the first time Malia has been at a busy venue without an adult accompanying her, and while she was anxious to enjoy her visit sans parent, she was a bit nervous about it as well. As such, Kev acted as chauffeur and then sat in the car so the kids could enjoy their newfound independence while still having the safety net of a trusted adult close at hand. They played laser tag, some virtual reality games and arcade games as well as enjoying pizza for dinner. I think Malia had a great time and gained a bit of confidence in her ability to take care of herself and stay safe without Kev or I right by her side.
When I was in elementary school, the message we were taught was “just say no” to drugs and alcohol. I actually like the DARE program better because it does more than teach kids to say no. It also teaches them about peer pressure, stress, smart decision making, getting an education, respecting themselves and others, and a variety of other things that if factored in can help them be healthy and successful people. In the world we live in, drugs and alcohol are not some hypothetical thing that kids see in the movies. When I was a kid, they were in the schools, but they were still kind of undercover rather than out in the open. Nowadays they are out in the open. Matthew says the drug problems at the middle school are bad enough that there is a police officer at the school all the time. And the rumor mill says that some of the other schools are even worse.
Keeping our bodies and minds free from such harmful and addictive substances is a part of the gospel, but I will gladly take any outside support or skills the schools have to offer my kids. Arming them from all directions is a plus. As Malia was worked through the DARE program, it has provided opportunities for us to discuss these things as a family as well. And knowing that we are a resource for her, a support and a source of information and guidance as well as giving her permission to use us as an instant out or excuse from any situation will hopefully help make her stronger and smarter as she grows up and moves into situations where the kinds of scenarios she has talked about in the DARE program may actually occur. Our public education program may have its shortcomings, but this is one program that I agree with wholeheartedly.
