Very Red Proclamation

Involve others outside of your school in Red Ribbon Week. Mt. Vernon Elementary School in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky, submitted a “Wear Red Day” proclamation to the county judge executive. He approved it and declared October 26 as “Wear Red Day” for the entire county. In celebration, RRW organizers hung 60’ Red & White Stringed Pennants in the front foyer of the school. They sent letters to area businesses, asking them to participate. And they supplied “Wear Red Day” Theme Day Stickers for the business owners and employees to put on.

Doggone Clever

Wildflower Elementary School in Palmdale, California, took a collection with a different slant. Because “it’s doggone bad to do drugs,” students brought in pet supplies to aid the furry members of the community. The items went to local animal rescue groups and/or shelters. Students then signed “I Pledge To Be Drug Free” Cards. An appropriate addition to this activity would be “I Pledge To Be Drug Free” Dog Tags.

There’s No Place Like Salem

At South Salem Elementary in Salem, Virginia, students, teachers, and staff followed the yellow brick road to a drug free life. The school was decorated with posters and characters from the Wizard Of Oz, and the soundtrack played during every lunchtime. Students put their names on paper ruby red slippers. Each day had a title with matching handouts: Dorothy Day, Twister Day, Scarecrow Day, Tin Man Day, and Lion Day. Develop your own Oz-related activities. Perhaps “Don’t Let Drugs Twist Your Mind!” Twizzlers would fit right in. Another nice choice would be the “My Character Matters” 5-Pencil Set, which includes a pencil on courage.

Dreaming Of A Bright Future

You can live the dream…if you don’t use drugs” was the message at Skyview Elementary in Yukon, Oklahoma. To express this, students dressed in outfits from their dream jobs. The school was filled with future doctors, rock stars, insurance agents, and much more. For your own dream job dress-up day, distribute “Dream It, Believe It, Achieve It Drug Free” Theme Day Stickers ahead of time as a reminder. On the actual day, give “My Future Is Bright Drug Free” Glow Bracelets to students who dress up.

Green Wins Hands Down

At Merrill Road Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida, students traced and cut out hand shapes on black paper and green paper. On the black hands, they wrote unhealthy activities, such as doing drugs or smoking. On the green hands, they wrote healthy activities, such as exercising or eating vegetables. The school’s PTA made a stunted black tree trunk and a strong brown trunk. They added the hand “leaves” and labeled the trees unhealthy and healthy. The trees created a great visual statement. “Drug Free, The Healthy Way To Be” Educational Activities Books would be useful for giving students ideas for the leaves. “Drug Free, The Healthy Way To Be” Temporary Tattoos could be good reinforcement of the lesson.

Clowns Aren’t Scary, Drugs Are!

Drug use is not something to be taken lightly. But this doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with drug-prevention programs. At Cowpens Elementary School in Cowpens, South Carolina, teachers and students dressed as friendly clowns. They wanted to communicate “Don’t clown around with drugs.” The students and staff paraded around outside with anti-drug banners. Then the best clowns were chosen. If you have a clown day and parade, have a few students carry a “Proud Of Our Safe & Drug Free School” Vinyl Banner. Have the rest of the student clowns hold Red Ribbon Week Celebration Balloons .

Time Well Spent

Many people plan a night out on the town. In Aurora, Illinois, relatives of students at Homestead Elementary were encouraged to have a Family Night In. The night was designed for staying home and spending time together. Some suggested activities were reading, playing games, cooking a special meal, carving pumpkins, and hanging up fall decorations. Afterwards, when students returned slips of paper saying how their families spent the night, they were entered in a drawing for prizes. If you hold this event, consider giving an “I’ve Got Better Things To Do Than Drugs” Ribbon Sticker to everyone who returns a slip. Use “I’ve Got Better Things To Do Than Drugs” Safety Reflective Bracelets as some of the prizes.

Something To Say

The Lions Club of Truckee, California, sponsored a bumper sticker contest. The group challenged students at Alder Creek Middle School to create anti-drug, tobacco, or alcohol words and artwork. The students were limited to a 3" x 11" size.The winning design became an actual bumper sticker. The first-place contestant received a $100 savings bond, second-place $75, and third-place $50. To coordinate with the contest, the school distributed “Color My World Drug Free” Heat Sensitive Pencils and “Color My World Drug Free” Silicone Bracelets.

Electing To Be Greener

This fall, you have the opportunity to help choose the President by casting a ballot. You also have the opportunity to help the environment by holding onto your Red Ribbon Week Celebration Balloons. Balloon releases create litter that spreads over miles. Wildlife can get caught in the strings or swallow the pieces. Try these Earth-friendlier activities:

• Write numbers on the balloons before distributing, then draw numbers to determine prize winners

• Have students run races while keeping a balloon between their knees

• Organize a balloon volleyball tournament.

Stuck On Stickers

Cala Elementary School in Thorndale, Pennsylvania, made its own red bookmarks. On them were circular outlines. Teachers had a bookmark for each child. They attached the appropriate theme day sticker to the bookmark if a child took part. The school used five different stickers, including “Stay In The Game, Be Drug Free” and “Being Drug Free Is No Sweat” Theme Day Stickers.

Daily Dose Of Winning

The prizes were plentiful during Red Ribbon Week in Big Lake, Texas. Each day at Reagan County Elementary School, a counselor drew the names of 30 students who had participated in Red Ribbon Week activities. These students won prizes purchased from Positive Promotions. One of the qualifying activities was a Red Ribbon Roundup. This involved youngsters wearing Western clothes. If you hold a daily drawing, remember that Mini Basketballs and Mini Footballs make excellent prizes.

Famous Examples

Red Ribbon Week has made its way into Belmont Pines Hospital, a behavioral health facility in Youngstown, Ohio. Youth patients were asked to each pick a celebrity who has a chemical dependency issue. Their assignment was to first learn about these troubled stars (staff provided articles), then write letters to them. Patients wrote how they felt and what a role model should be like. At your organization or school, expand on this exercise. Hand out a “Make Footprints Worth Following” Red Sparkle Pencil and Red Satin Ribbon to each participant.

Caught In The Act

Acting out situations can be a great teaching tool. At Blue Ridge Elementary in Ararat, Virginia, sixth and seventh graders chose scenarios, created by law enforcement, to re-enact. The reenactments taught consequences of illegal activities. Students “caught” using alcohol and drugs or selling drugs were arrested and handcuffed. They appeared before the magistrate; some made bail, some went on trial, some went to jail. Students who “overdosed” were rushed to the emergency room where the Ararat Rescue Squad was waiting. Not all of the students could be revived. After the scenarios had been played out, the students received gifts, such as water bottles and dog tags. This year, “I Elect To Be Drug Free” Water Bottles and “I Elect To Be Drug Free” Dog Tags would be particularly fitting.

Dancing Their Hearts Out

Panama Elementary School in Panama, Oklahoma, decided on the theme “Dance through life drug free” to let kids know that they can find things to do, such as dancing, that keep their minds and bodies fit and active (see picture on page 17). Then they won’t get caught up in something dangerous, such as drugs. The celebration week started with doing the twist in the gym while wearing pajamas and slippers. On Tuesday, students dressed up like their favorite types of dancers. The whole school took a break to dance that afternoon. Wednesday included classroom dance contests. The winners got to perform at Friday’s assembly, which also featured demonstrations by a dance instructor. If you’re thinking about a Red Ribbon Week of dancing, consider using the “I’ve Got Better Things To Do Than Drugs” Theme Kit and Buttons.

Just A Little R-E-S-P-E-C-T

First and second grade classes at Brookhaven Academy in Brookhaven, Missouri discussed how saying no to drugs shows respect for teachers, parents, friends, and themselves. Then they fashioned spectacles out of pipe cleaners. This eyewear was called “re-spectacles.” The students used the “re-spectacles” to spot people showing respect. For your own version of this lesson, reinforce your message with “Good Character, Great Kid” Backpack Tag/Key Rings . And provide class members with Foil-Stamped Good Character Award Certificates to give out to the respectful people they spot.

Door Decorating

Here are some door decorating ideas our customers have used.

• Keep Our World Drug Free: have students sign cutouts of globes.

• Argh You Against Drugs?: feature pictures of pirates from movies.

• Drugs Give You The Blues: ask children to write things that make them happy on paper smiley faces.

• Make No Bones About it...Drugs Are Bad: hang up a large plastic skeleton.

• Aren’t These Faces Worth Saying No To Drugs?: form the word NO with photos of students.

• Heroes Take A Stand Against Drugs: let students draw their favorite superheroes.