The Gilford D.A.R.E. Program was established in 1988 as an integral part of the fifth grade curriculum. It is a well-received program made possible through the cooperative efforts of the Gilford Police Department, the Gilford Elementary School, the Gilford Middle High School, and our community. The core curriculum is a seventeen-week program teaching the life skills necessary to resist the pressure kids may face when difficult choices or situations arise. Since its inception, five officers have been trained as D.A.R.E. instructors. The current D.A.R.E. instructors are Detective Kathleen Yale and Officer Kevin Keenan.
Students learn ways to have fun without the use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco.
Positive alternative activities such as D.A.R.E. basketball, pizza lunches and family activity nights encourage families and friends to participate in the D.A.R.E. experience. Our program has grown to include the D.A.R.E. Middle High School curriculum, which is a ten-day course presented to the seventh grade students. This program reinforces the core curriculum by letting kids know it s still OK to say no. Seventh graders learn about the negative effects prejudice and stereotyping can have and how to avoid violence. Most importantly, they know there is a support system within the community to help them reach their goals.