   The Sheriff's Office provides the D.A.R.E program to 5th and 6th grade students in all eight school districts in the county. The districts include Phoenix, Hannibal, Central Square, Pulaski, Sandy Creek, Mexico, Altmar-Parish-Williamstown, and part of the Oswego City School District-Minetto Elementary School. This program is provided free of charge to the districts and serves approximately 1,300 students. This program is generously supported by numerous businesses in all areas of the county. The support received from the businesses provides awards and prizes for all students successfully completing the D.A.R.E program. This year some of the donations included bicycles, helmets, pizzas, paintball park trips, charter fishing trips, D.A.R.E t-shirts, haircuts, cakes, balloons, decorations, medallions, and financial support. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services provides additional support from where D.A.R.E workbooks are provided. Below are some highlights from D.A.R.E graduations:  The D.A.R.E program at the Central Square Middle School is presented by Deputy George Korthas. Deputy Korthas has been teaching D.A.R.E since 1999 when he volunteered to take over the responsibility after the death of the previous D.A.R.E Officer, Deputy Shawn Thompson. In one school year, Deputy Korthas has developed the program to be one of the most outstanding programs in Central New York. Deputy Korthas works closely with the School District and Parent Teacher Organization which produces two D.A.R.E graduations which between 400-500 people attend. Numerous area businesses contribute financially and with merchandise to provide graduation presents to every D.A.R.E. graduate ranging from paintball park outings and pizzas to a D.A.R.E. picnic for the entire graduating class. This year was highlighted by a fishing charter for 20 students on Lake Ontario by five very generous charter fishing captains. The charter captains treated the students chosen from a lottery to a four hour charter fishing trip, a picnic and trip to Fort Ontario. Sheriff Todd accompanied the group. Deputy Tracie Gage presents the D.A.R.E program provided to the Hannibal School District. Deputy Gage has been teaching D.A.R.E. in the Hannibal and Minetto Districts since 2002. Each year Deputy Gage solicits area businesses for donations to enhance the D.A.R.E program. The IGA Village Market and Oswego County Deputies Association assist by providing bicycles and helmets for the top D.A.R.E. students who read their D.A.R.E. speeches at graduation. One of those students was Andrea Michalski who received a new bicycle for her efforts. The outstanding D.A.R.E speech is provided below; By Andrea Michalski I believe that the D.A.R.E. program has made an important difference in my future. I now have the strength and knowledge to go out into the world and say no to drugs. I strongly think that stopping the children of our generation before they are offered drugs by their own peers is a great way to prevent drugs in America. D.A.R.E. has made a healthy influence on my life, my friend's lives, and all of my peer's lives. I now have the courage and self-esteem to go to high school next year and become a smart, courageous, and healthy young adult. D.A.R.E. isn't just about resisting drugs, but it's also about loving and cherishing your friends and family. D.A.R.E. teaches you that certain things you do cannot only hurt you, but also your loved ones. So someday when I come across the paths of life, I know I will choose the right one, and as I choose, I will remember D.A.R.E. because it will always be with me. The D.A.R.E program in the Mexico Elementary School is presented by Deputy Peter Nellis. Deputy Nellis has been teaching D.A.R.E since 1997, and works with Sgt. Jeffrey Dunsmoor to also provide the D.A.R.E program in the APW school district by teaching at the Parish Elementary School. Deputy Nellis is proud to provide D.A.R.E in the Mexico Elementary School because as a resident of Mexico and the parent of an elementary student, he can give something back to the district he supports.
Sgt. Jeffrey Dunsmoor, who has been teaching D.A.R.E since 1999, presents the D.A.R.E Program at the Lura Sharp Elementary School in Pulaski. In addition to teaching at Pulaski, Sgt. Dunsmoor provides D.A.R.E at the Sandy Creek Elementary and two schools in the APW School District. Sgt. Dunsmoor is extremely devoted to providing D.A.R.E to as many students as he can and is constantly finding new locations where he can spread the D.A.R.E message. It is not unusual for Sgt. Dunsmoor to be visiting pre-schools and high schools to talk to students about drug awareness. During the early fall of 2005, Deputy Michael Gaita of the Oswego County Sheriff's Office successfully completed an instructional course for D.A.R.E. training in Saratoga Springs. On 12/20/05 he completed his first D.A.R.E. teaching assignment at the Sandy Creek Elementary School.  Graduating from the program were approximately 82 students from four fifth grade classes. According to Deputy Gaita a fun time was had by all and it was a very rewarding first experience for him. Despite fruitless efforts by school personnel to convert Deputy Gaita's predecessor, Sgt. Jeffrey Dunsmoor, into healthier eating habits, Deputy Gaita continues to follow in his footsteps. Students and faculty gave up and offered Deputy Gaita coupons to Dunkin' Donuts in appreciation for his efforts. The Spring semester of 2006 will find Deputy Gaita instructing students from the Pulaski School District. Questions about the Oswego County Sheriff's Office? |
The D.A.R.E program in the Phoenix School District is provided by Sgt. Gary Dievendorf at the Elm Street School. Sgt Dievendorf has been teaching D.A.R.E since 1991. Each year Sgt. Dievendorf assists the Phoenix Parent Teacher Organization with it's fund raising efforts which generously supports D.A.R.E by organizing the D.A.R.E basketball game. This annual event brings together teachers and Sheriff's Department members who play a basketball game for the entertainment of the community. Each year it is tradition for the Sheriff's Department members to let the teachers win the game so that they will allow the D.A.R.E program to remain in the school district. Sgt. Dievendorf also works closely with the district to assist with career days and health talks. Part of Sgt. Dievendorf's D.A.R.E graduation this year included a Power Point computer presentation of photos of the children and school staff accompanied by music from the pop music group "Creed." Sgt. Dievendorf also provided the coveted DAREN the D.A.R.E mascot stuffed animals to all the top D.A.R.E students after they read their speeches.