Bristol Borough Students Graduate D.A.R.E. Program

Students at Snyder-Girotti Elementary School in Bristol Borough graduated from the police department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) program this week.

The students each received certificates and a carry bag donated by the Bristol Borough Police Benevolent Association and the Grundy Foundation during Thursday’s graduation. In the crowd, families of students looked on and clapped.

District Judge Frank Paranteau spoke to the students and congratulated them on their achievement. He told them the life lessons they learned in the program will help them as they grow and mature.

“These are life skills you will take with you,” Mayor Joe Saxton said.

Chief of Police Steve Henry, who has been in the borough for the past three years, said the D.A.R.E. program has taught character to students over the past few weeks.

Sgt. Carlos Rivera has been involved in the program in Bristol Borough for the past 10 years. He said there wasn’t any homework, but students had to complete an essay at the end of the program.

The D.A.R.E. program started in Bristol Borough in 1992 when then-chief Paranteau brought it to town. He acknowledged the focus of the program has changed, but its lessons remain important.

Earlier this week, students at St. Mary’s Catholic School took part in a similar graduation.