“It is up to ME to be Drug Free!”

Monday    It is up to ME to be responsible!

·        Donate non-perishable, no nut products; carry well in backpack goods to Open Arms Mission (examples list on website).

·        Class that brings in the most items gets their picture posted on the school website!

·        Graffiti board for responsible/healthy choices explained on announcements.

·        Students given a RED bracelet to wear all week.

Tuesday        It is up to ME to choose responsible friends!

·        Students and Staff wear RED today!

·        History of Red Ribbon Week read during announcements

·        Students add “What Makes a Good Friend” answers to the graffiti board.

·        Students and Staff tie Red Ribbons on trees outside of the school

Wednesday        It is up to ME to be a respectful team player!

·        Staff and Students wear their favorite jersey!

·        Students add “POSITIVE Drug Free Role Models” names to the graffiti board.

·        Students can earn Red Ribbon Prizes in P.E.

Thursday      It’s up to ME to treat my body with respect!

·         “Lei Off Drugs!”  Wear Hawaiian clothes.

·         Students given red lei’s to wear today.

·         Students add “Healthy Choices/Foods” to the graffiti board.

Friday             It’s up to ME to demonstrate school spirit!

•      Wear school spirit wear or colors to school today!

•      Students add “What They Love about Their School” to the graffiti board.

Red Ribbon Week 2011

Dear Parents/Caregivers,          

Everyone is affected by the widespread use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs among our youth. When anyone chooses to use drugs they are not just hurting themselves.  Everyone pays the price, and that includes you.  According to the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, Drug abuse starts early and peaks during the teen years. This increased risk is partly due to adolescents' heightened sensitivity to social influences (friends) and their still developing brain, particularly areas critical to judgment and impulse control.

70 % of children who abuse prescription drugs get them from family or friends!

The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that because of increased potency and addiction rates, drug abuse prevention efforts are more necessary today than they were in the past. With continued education and research we are making progress in the battle against drug use.  There is not a single approach to prevention that can eliminate a problem so complex….but we can make a difference by working together. 

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life.  What can you do to help?

Building a close relationship with your children can and will encourage them to come to you for help in making decisions that impact their health and well being.  Society can give children mixed messages about alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.  Make sure your children get their information from the best resource available….YOU.

There are many resources available through the schools, Internet, health department, police stations, libraries, etc. to assist parents in guiding children along the right path.  Youth today often think that the majority of their peers use alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.  However, data shows that more and more kids are standing up against peer pressure and national drug rates have begun to decline.  Children are responding to our efforts.  They want and need guidance and support from the adults in their lives at home, in school, and in the community.

During Red Ribbon Week at Antioch District 34, we will be participating in various educational activities surrounding this year’s theme, “It is UP to Me to be DRUG Free!”  We will focus on making healthy choices, eating right, exercising, resisting peer pressure, and taking a stand for our beliefs.  Please make some time to have a conversation with your children about these extremely important messages.  Children need information to make good decisions.  Together we can keep kids safe, happy, and healthy!