Today we celebrated our time spent this year in D.A.R.E. with our graduation. D.A.R.E. is the Drug Abuse Resistance Education and focuses on teaching students how to make good choices when confronted with some difficult decisions in life. We have been working hard to learn what decisions we may face and what we should do if these may arise.
At our graduation, we were called up to receive a certificate in recognition of our hard work and our pledge to follow the D.A.R.E. decision making model. We proudly wore our t-shirts and many of us wore our dog tags that we had received for our participation in the program.
Officer Smith did an amazing job of teaching us why it’s so important to think things through and make good decisions. We were very lucky to be able to share time with him each week. We definitely plan on following his advice for the future!
As our final assignment for D.A.R.E., each class was asked to put together a video that highlights some situations that we may find ourselves in and some different ways to appropriately handle it. Each of us had a different role. We had script writers, actors, videographers, and editors. Each played a pivotal role in the creation of our videos. We filmed the videos using our iPads. We then used the iMovie app to create the videos. They came out great!
You can check out our videos down below. Just a caution to younger classes, our videos do discuss mature topics that would be more appropriate for older children. We recommend that you watch the videos first before deciding if it’s something that is okay for your students to watch.
Video by Mr. Avery’s Homeroom
Video by Miss Girard’s Homeroom
————————————————–
Β
Dear Mr. Avery,
I remember when we were filming the video, we had so many bloopers! I was an editor, so I didn’t have any lines, but the actors were always messing up. It pprobably took about 40 takes with the news room scene. I’ve only graduated from preschool, but that was basically sing a song in front of your mom, then go swimming in a bunch of little plastic pools or the slip-n-slide, so I don’t think that counts.
-Anna K.
Dear Mr.Avery and class,
Wow. I think your class made a good point and had good examples for not doing things that are unsafe. I thought it was cool that you made it like the news. I can’t wait to watch more videos.
From,
T.K.N
Dear Mr Avery’s class,
I think that you did an amazing jod makeing that video. I liked how some of you were News reporters and others actors. I am going to ask my teacher if my class could do a video like that.
From Emma
Mr.Avery and Class,
This video was cool. We thought it was interesting. We really like how you cutaway to the situation after reporting on it. This video has great editing.
Well done! π
Andreia & Jordan from learningin21.edublogs.org
Dear Mr. Avery,
In December we recieved D.A.R.E. program. The best part about it was we had a fun officer, Deputy Old. We did 11 weeks and we learned about all drugs and what the drugs can do to your brain and other major organs in your body. My sister just had dare 8 years ago and she had Deputy King and the lion’s name was Leo. Who did you have?
Your friend,
Anthony
Techie kids
Dear Mr. Avery,
My class just past D.A.R.E. What was your officers name? We had Deputy Old. Do you know Daren the lion?We got to hold him every class. How long did you have Dare? We had to write a report and make a poster to gradguate.
From,
Andrew
Techie Kids
Hello Mr. Avery,
I think this is great that your students are learning about D.A.R.E as it is exremely important and it could help your students in the future. Did you know young people who drink alcohol are 50 times more likely to use cocaine than teens who never drink? In New Zealand we dont learn about it I think we would definately should.
Yours Sincerely,
Nadia, from Selwyn House School, New Zealand
Dear Mr. Avery,
I would like to inform you that my class was part of the D.A.R.E. program two years ago. My class and I had a great time. Our dare instructor was a great guy. Please tell your students reagurly to stay in school, dont do drugs, and remember D.A.R.E.
Sincerely,
Jared 7th grade,Techie kids
Dear Mr. Avery,
I also gradguated from a D.A.R.E. class. It is a very good and educational class. It helped me learn to stay away from drugs and alcohol because of the consequences. I learned a lot and I hope your class did too.
Sincerely,
Alex
Techie Kids
Hi my name is Maddie and I and in year 6 my class has a blog too and would love for you to post on it. It is yr6RC. I live in Australia. I love your post about D.A.R.E. and I learnt lots.
Love from Maddie
Hi Mr. Avery and class,
I think you have some great ideas in keeping it r.e.a.l.
There was some great situations.
Isabella M.
Dear Mr Avery,
Thank you for putting up the D.A.R.E videos I think both class did a great job on both of them. Your class I think did a better job on them. Also, it was sad that we didn’t get to watch them at the D.A.R.E graduation.
From,
Ali M.
Dear Mr. Avery,
I have graduated from something before, I’ve graduated from DARE last year. Also I’ve graduated from the 4th grade.
Sincerely,
Heston. H
Hello Mr. Avery and Class!
I hope you all read this comment! Congratulations, fellow D.A.R.E. graduates! I hope you ALL learned a lot during the D.A.R.E. program! π How has your year been so far? I hope it was as good as mine last year. And hello Mr. Avery! I went to drop by and say hi because we were heading that way to pick up my dog Duffy! But, you were in a meeting. π Well things happen. It’s the hard, sad truth. But whatever. By the way all of you students there, middle school is AWESOME. Well, after a day of learning your schedule and learning your way around meanwhile making new buddies in school! Keep your grades up, have a nice day and I’ll see you guys soon (most likely)! π
-Tessa at TessaTime.edublogs.org
Dear Mr. Avery (and class),
Wow! Everyone did a great job. It was disappointing that the videos didnt play during the graduation but they look great. Awesome job everyone!
From,
Jackie π
Dear Mr. Avery,
I believe everybody did a great job with these videos. But that was sad nobody saw them, even though they most likely will after they get the email. Well, great job everybody.
From Ben F.
Dear Mr. Avery,
The D.A.R.E.videos were very entertaining to watch yesterday and today. I was really disappointed that our parents weren’t allowed to watch the videos due to the techincal difficulties that happened. But luckily you posted the videos on the blog so I can show them, considering that I always go on the blog in class and at home.
Sinerely,
Tristan π
Dear Mr. Avery,
I really like your classes D.A.R.E video .Your class did a really good job at editing their video. There were really good at memorizing their lines .One thing that is bad about it is that when Aiden was acting as a news caster I could see him look at his script, I think next time he should of studied his lines a little more.
Sincerly, Jen C.
Be brave! Help each other to resist peer pressure. Walk away with a friend to show your support if they’re being pressured! Well, I have so much more to say, but Rebecca wants me to stop writing now. Keep up the good work guys!
Dear Mr. Avery’s class,
Wow! You guys have really shown that you learned a lot in DARE through these videos! Congratulations! I love how the “resisters” walked away from the scene. I know, from experience (since I’m really really really really old), that walking away when you’re being pressured, can really help! When you walk away, and get yourself out of the situation, the pressure stops. None of us likes the kind of pressure that makes you feel uncomfortable. It’s hard to walk away though. Sometimes older kids compliment you, and really act like your friends. You want to say “yes” to them, because you really want them to like you. Being accepted is really important at your age; it’s normal to want people to like you. Just remember, if you have to do something that you don’t feel comfortable doing, in order to be someone’s friend, then that person doesn’t have your best interest in mind.
Dear Mr. Avery,
The videos were very fun to make, we had a lot of bloopers and it was very hard to not laugh. Someone once told me to think of sad things when I’m about to laugh but that just made it worse. It took a lot of takes to final get it right.
The only thing I’ve graduated from was I think preschool but I dont think that counts but now 2 D.A.R.E graduations.
From,
Arielβ€π
Dear Mr. Avery (and class),
The videos you guys made are great! In health next year you will learn even more skills like that. And just to be warned you may be the only “Plympton kid” in some of your classes next year. In my rounds class I am the only one. And for Mr. Avery I posted the video of my talent show dance and I don’t mind if the class watches it. But just to tell you, I don’t think it’s that great. And sadly, I didn’t place. I also hope to start visiting more often once the weather gets warmer. Hope to see me soon!
~Sam <3
Dear Mr. Avery,
The D.A.R.E. graduation was very fun to watch and I loved the videos on the blog. I am very excited to start dare this year in September or August. I love the blog and I want to make one of them, maybe my mom will let me make one. The D.A.R.E. graduation was exciting. Congratulations D.A.R.E. graduates!
Jenny
Dear Mr. Avery,
I was really happy that I did the D.A.R.E. program. It taught me many ways to say no to drugs and alcohol. Officer Smith really helped us. I think all kids should take the D.A.R.E. program it really helps in our young life’s. Now I know how tobacco has tar and 40,000 people each year dye from smoking I know never to drink or use drugs because they can make me very sick thank you D.A.R.E for being there for me and my peers.
From,
Kaylee
Dear Mr. Avery,
I think everyone involved did a great job with both classes. I think it was kind of ironic that both classes did the same themes! I hope we can do more videos like this this year.
From Josh H
Dear Mr. Avery,
The videos were great! Dare is a great program to learn about how different things can effect your body. These videos could help you make better decisions. I have only graduated from Dare this year and last year. It was a lot of fun to work with officer Smith during this part of the year and the videos were really fun to make! Good job everyone!
Sincerely,
Jenna K. π