Each year, our 5th graders spend several months participating in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program—a long-standing collaboration between Kenston Local Schools and the Bainbridge Police Department. Students work with Officer Reardon during Physical Education class, engaging in hands-on activities, writing reflective pieces in English Language Arts, and selecting a homeroom winner. The lessons are then further developed with PE teachers Mrs. Kosiorek and Mr. Gowdy, who help bring the skills and strategies to life.
Today, December 12, students celebrated the completion of the program with the D.A.R.E. Graduation Ceremony. During the program, Bainbridge Township Police Chief Jon Bokovitz encouraged students to continue making good decisions and to be responsible. Officer Reardon reminded them to stay strong and believe in themselves, as they have been equipped for success. Superintendent Dr. Willingham expressed how proud he is of our students and emphasized that confidently saying “no” is an important life skill.
Kenston Local Schools would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the Bainbridge Township Police Department for their continued support of this program and Safety Town. We also appreciate our community officials—Auburn Township Trustee Gene McCune and Bainbridge Township Trustee Kristina O’Brien—who joined us today, along with Kenston Board of Education President Tom Manning and members Dennis Bergansky and Jim Henry. Finally, thank you to all of our faculty, staff, and administrators who help guide and support our students every day.