A graduation ceremony was held on Dec. 11 for Grade 6 students at Drayton Heights completing the 10-week OPP KIDS (Knowledge Issues Decisions Supports) course taught by Constable Kelly Krpan of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police.
Each student received a certificate and a T-shirt imprinted with the program logo.
OPP KIDS is an educational program created by OPP officers and professional educators to connect with young people. The course specifically covers Youth and the Law, Peer to Peer Relationships, Online and Social Media Awareness, Drug Awareness and Mental Health Awareness.
The Wellington County Police Services Board, the Wellington Catholic District School Board and the Upper Grand District School Board have approved the program.
Drayton Heights is one of 27 elementary schools in Wellington County involved in the program.
For some years the DARE program, focusing on drug and alcohol awareness, has been taught in local schools by Ontario Provincial Police officers. The OPP KIDS program replaces DARE, focusing on the local policing area and the rapidly changing issues faced by area youth.
The cost of materials for the program are covered by the OPP.
Service clubs are approached to support the program by donating funds for T-shirts or other items for the students for their graduation or participation in class.
