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North Elementary celebrates Red Ribbon Week
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Neighbors | Submitted.North Elementary second-grade student Gianna Slaven dressed in red ribbon attire to help celebrate Red Ribbon Week at the school.
By TIM CLEVELAND
During the week of Oct. 27-31, North Elementary School celebrated Red Ribbon Week with a variety of anti-drug themed events.
On Oct. 27, the students celebrated being drug free by wearing red; on Oct. 28, they socked it to drugs by wearing crazy or mismatched socks; on Oct. 29, they teamed up against drugs by wearing sports attire; on Oct. 30, it was hats off to drugs by wearing ball caps; and on Oct. 31, they scared away drugs for Halloween.
“Eleana Vlahos, Poland guidance intern, was the driving force behind Red Ribbon Week this year,” said North Elementary Principal Stephanie Mateja, who was in her first year celebrating Red Ribbon Week. “She brought it to the attention of the three elementary principals, and we thought it would be a great idea for drug-free awareness, so we all participated.”
Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. It serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of its children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of a drug-free America.
Red Ribbon Week was started to commemorate DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who dies at the hands of drug traffickers in Mexico while fighting the battle against illegal drugs.
Mateja said the students got to experience other activities during the week.
“Nearly all students participated in the spirit days,” she said. “Additionally, an activity was devoted to Red Ribbon Week every morning. On Monday, Ms. Vlahos did a healthy versus unhealthy for our bodies lesson; on Tuesday, I showed a YouTube video, playing a video and a drug-free song; on Wednesday, I recited a Red Ribbon poem and had students repeat it; on Thursday, Officer Kent provided students with a Drug Free Pledge; and Friday was our culminating day, Scare away drugs for Halloween.”
Mateja said she felt the week’s events came off very well.
“I think the week itself went quite well,” she said. “Aside from the excitement of it all, I reminded students that the hats, socks, etc., were simply a reminder of what is important – and that is remaining drug free.”
Mateja added that the students learned some very important lessons.
“Aside from being drug free, I think the kids learned that they could come together with their united, spirit efforts for a good cause,” she said.