Red Ribbon Week – Be Kind to your Mind

October 23-31 was Red Ribbon Week. The National Family Partnership, formerly the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth, was established in 1980, It was a grassroots organization formed by a handful of parents who believed parents should play a leadership role in drug prevention. In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to ending the killing and destruction of life caused by drugs in America. The first National Red Ribbon Celebration was in 1988.

On Monday, Oct. 23, Clark Elementary kicked off Red Ribbon Week in the in the new gym. All the students gathered wearing red ribbons. The fifth grade did Master of Ceremonies duty for the assembly. As part of the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support initiative, Red Ribbon Week fits in well. Last month, the axiom practiced was, “Be Proactive” and next month the axiom is, “Begin with the End in Mind.” Students were encouraged to keep getting those Tiger tickets by making a difference in their classrooms, school and community.

Each day of Red Ribbon Week, the students would dress in a manner that represented a method to avoid drug use or peer pressure to use drugs. Clark chose Monday – Kickoff to Red Ribbon Week -- wear Red, Tuesday – Don’t do drugs, follow your dreams – wear pajamas, Wednesday – Team up against drugs – wear your favorite team jersey, Thursday – Put a cap on drugs – wear your favorite hat, Friday Our school chooses to be drug free – wear black and gold. As an added incentive, the classroom that participated most in the theme dress up would be rewarded with a doughnut party.

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Mrs. Seifert’s second grade had a great doughnut feast! Officer Lopez did a fine job of leading the students as they noted positive habits, negative habits and how to help each other avoid peer pressure. “Just Say No” remains the best advice. At the end of the assembly, students were invited to the PAW meter to add up the Tiger Tickets. There not quite enough to make it to the Mystery Reward, but there is a great month coming up.

New London Middle School chose to celebrate Red Ribbon Week on Friday in the Lorber gymnasium. Throughout the week, the Middle School began thinking about Being Kind to their minds by noting each slogan Monday – Living without drugs is no sweat – Wear sweatpants and sweatshirts, Tuesday – Give drugs the slip – wear slippers, Wednesday Team up against drugs – wear team jerseys/spirt shirts, Thursday – Kids and drugs don’t mix – wear mismatched clothes, Friday – Be Kind to Your Mind – wear red. The assembly in the MS/HS gym had activities for the students. The School Resource Officer, the Henry County Sheriff Deputies and the New London Police were great activity leaders.