Meadow Hill would like to congratulate this year’s 5^th grade D.A.R.E. participants.  D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instruction helps facilitate the prevention of drug use by developing basic core skills needed for safe and responsible life choices. The curriculum, based on the Socio-Emotional Learning Theory (SEL), identifies fundamental skills and developmental process needed for healthy development.  SEL theory teaches youth to control their impulses and think about risks and consequences resulting in more responsible choices. The D.A.R.E. program believes that if you can teach youth to make safe and responsible decisions, it will guide them to healthy choices, not only when it comes to drugs, but across all parts of their lives.  As students grow to be responsible citizens, they will lead healthier and more productive drug-free lives. 

This year’s D.A.R.E. essay winners were Alexis Marrero, Anny Zhang, Thomas Weaver, Aydan Cortes-Pliego, Ella Edmunson, and Brandon Ewanish.  Good citizenship awards were awarded to Jeanine Bautista, Jonathan Ceglio, Santos Garcia, Mayrin Serrano, Ariya Nelson, and Nicholas Made. 

Special thanks is extended to Newburgh Town Board (Supervisor Piaquadio, Councilman Manley, Ruggiero, Presutti and Councilwoman Greene), Town of Newburgh Police Administration (Chief Donald Campbell, Lt. Nenni, Lt. DeSaye, and Lt. Talarico), the Orange County Youth Bureau, the MH PTO, and the 5^th grade teaching staff.

Story & Photos provided by: Mrs. Melissa Winfield-Corbett