Fifty-three students from Groveland’s Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall School recently participated in a Drug Abuse Resistance Education—or DARE—graduation ceremony.
Superintendent Justin Bartholomew, Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen and Interim Principal Brenda Erhardt said police Sgt. Josh Sindoni teaches students drug and alcohol resistance, but also empathy, respect, responsibility, communications, anti-bullying techniques, how to deal with stress and the importance of making good decisions.”
“Our department is proud to support our Bagnall students and teach them about the effects of drugs and alcohol, but also how to make the best decisions,” Gillen said, adding DARE also means to Define the problem, Assess their choices, Respond with facts and Evaluate their choices.
The DARE program is supported through the Groveland Police Department budget. Sindoni proposed a “pay it forward” event, possibly a car wash, to help fund next year’s program.