Sixty-nine Bannes fifth graders celebrated their completion of the D.A.R.E. program with a special recognition ceremony on Friday, April 20.
D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a series of classroom lessons designed to minimize the power of peer pressure and bolster self-esteem. Classes are led by a Tinley Park Police Officer and focus on providing students with accurate information about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and helping them develop effective violence resistance techniques. Teaching students good decision making skills and confident communication strategies are key to the program's success.