Education

Overstreet Elementary Fifth Graders Learn About Peer Pressure and Stress

The Starkville Police Department shared photos from fifth grade D.A.R.E. classes at Overstreet Elementary School, highlighting lessons on peer pressure and managing stressful situations. D.A.R.E., a program aimed at educating children about drug prevention and healthy decision-making, partners with local law enforcement to promote safety and positive behaviors in schools.

These lessons are vital as they equip students with the skills to face real-life challenges confidently. By focusing on peer influence and stress management, teachers help students develop healthy coping mechanisms and decision-making skills that can benefit them throughout their lives.

The department’s involvement underscores its commitment to community engagement and youth education. Such programs foster trust between law enforcement and young residents, promoting a safer community.

This story emphasizes the importance of early education in building resilient, informed young citizens. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Jon Myers

Jon Ross Myers founded Mississippi News Group in 2013. Before founding the organization, he worked at The Daily Mississippian, The Marion Salute and The Southern Sentinel. A Mississippi journalist and writer based in Ripley, he received second place in poetry in the 2025 William Faulkner Literary Competition for "The Garden."