Special drug program to be held in California School District
When it comes to teaching students about the dangers of alcohol and drug use, many believe in the importance of starting when they are young. It is that idea that is behind some of the programs that will take place this week at California schools during Red Ribbon Week.
The celebration will be held October 21-25.
“We have all of our students involved and all of the children are working really hard,” said Tracy Wright of the California Elementary PTA, who headed up the committee for Red Ribbon Week, along with Christy Bayles.
Some activities the students are involved in include an essay contest in which children will write about why drugs are bad, and a poster contest.
Debbie Beyer, the elementary guidance counselor, said she has worked with the PTA committee and the mayor to organize the programs for the week.
“We have organized several speakers and have planned a variety of activities throughout the week,” said Beyer.
Jason Conoway, a D.A.R.E officer, will speak to the kindergarten class to warn them of the dangers of drug abuse.
“I talk to them about drug awareness and peer pressure,” said Conoway. “We cover a lot of areas such as ways they can say no to drugs. We hope it stays with them at least until they graduate. We have follow-up programs as they get older, and we try to help them make healthy choices throughout their lives.”
Beyer said another program for the fourth- and fifth-grade classes is called “Alcohol Makes You Look Like a Clown,” which Ramona Cholak, from the Neighborhood Drug Awareness Corps, will present.
“That program entails the use of fatal vision glasses, and the students will walk a balance beam,” said Beyer.
On Thursday, Beyer and Wright said there will be a program entitled “We Honor You, Our Friends in Blue,” which honors law enforcement.
“It is an opportunity for the students to thank them for protecting us against drugs,” said Wright.
According to Beyer, Red Ribbon Week was started because of an officer who was killed in the line of duty.
“Red ribbons were worn by other officers in his honor, and this week we want to honor our local law enforcement,” said Beyer. “They have been invited to the school so that the students can read them poems, and we also have planned a short play.”
Cathy Schmider, the middle school guidance counselor, said that the activities of the middle school are somewhat parallel to the elementary children, only more on the level of the older students.
On Monday, the students are being asked to wear red to start the week. Tuesday, Schmider said the slogan is “give drugs the slip,” and students may wear slippers to school that day.
“On Friday, the students can show support by wearing the school colors, burgundy and gold,” said Schmider. “Or they can wear the colors of their favorite sports team. There will also be a dance Friday night, and if the students wear a red ribbon, they can get tickets to the dance for half price.”
Also on Friday, Schmider said that that Diane Grady of the Washington Neighborhood Drug Awareness Corps will bring a drug kit to show the students what different drugs are and what they look like.
The school cafeteria will also participate in the festivities by serving red foods on Wednesday, and also help to provide the kindergarten students with healthy snacks.
A banner will be put up for students in grades K-8 to sign, as a promise to be drug-free. Wright also said that students have turned in pictures of themselves doing something “healthy, and fun and better than drugs.” The pictures will be on display throughout the week.
“They have pictures of themselves playing football, swimming, playing with their dogs and going on family vacations. It’s just a way of showing that they have better things to do than drugs,” said Wright.
The PTA, members of the guidance offices and D.A.R.E are asking the community to show their support during the week by displaying red ribbons.
“The important thing this year is to get the community involved,” said Schmider.
“It is so very important, and we are all trying to do a lot this year to make students aware,” said Wright. “We would really appreciate the support of the community.”
“We have ribbons available for people to display on their cars or anywhere we can get them to hang,” said Conoway. “Everyone I’ve talked to is willing to participate.”