Cook Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School, Columbus, MississippiCook Elementary rocked out during Red Ribbon Week! The principals, counselors, and office staff kicked off the celebration by wearing “Our School Rocks Drug Free” T-shirts. Other staff members and the students wore “A Drug Free Life Rocks” ribbons. Jwanna Gotocook, a very lively puppet, made special guest appearances on the school’s student-produced television station, telling everyone what to expect each day. The station also broadcast several students from the fourth grade performing rap songs about being drug free. The school held poster and essay contests with a rockin’ theme. In guidance classes, the student body learned songs and dances in preparation for a concert at the end of the week by D.A.R.E. officer Arthur Avant, aka Double A. Adults and children were invited to dress like rock stars for the concert. Teachers who dressed up received passes to have lunch off campus. Students with the best costumes won VIP/backstage passes, allowing them to meet Double A and have pictures taken with him. In addition to the rockin’ activities, Cook Elementary sent home notepaper it called “hugs.” Parents were asked to write notes of encouragement to their children, letting them know that they are loved too much to waste their lives on drugs. The notes were hung from one end of the school to the other, “hugging” the building with positive thoughts from the families.
