National Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our 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 drug free America. (http://www.imdrugfree.com/)

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We ("we" being the PTA president and me, "the committee") chose to do three different themes this year, mostly because I am not a great decision maker and couldn't narrow it down to just one. We also included the Bully Free topic, since it is Bully Prevention Month, too. Keep in mind that in our community students don't see a lot of illegal drugs, but they are certainly affected by smoking, drinking, and prescription overdose. So here is what we did:

"Be a Buddy Not a bully" 

Classroom Lesson: Draw a large "Humpty Dumpty" on butcher paper. Ask the students to say mean things to him. As they say mean words, rip off pieces of the paper. Then ask them to say nice things. As they apologize, tape the pieces back together. "You can see, even when we say we are sorry, it helps put things back together, but there are still scars from the hurt feelings."  
Lunchtime Activity: Students signed a commitment poster and received a reminder dog tag ("Be a Buddy). Parent took pictures of kids with their buddies- the librarian will display them in the media center.

"I Elect to be Drug Free" 

Lunchtime Activity: Running game to teach the importance of healthy lungs (by abstaining from smoking). Explain that there are choices we make, and it is our choice (or vote) to keep bad things out of our bodies. "I Elect to be Drug Free" sticker for each participant. 

"These Paws Don't Touch Drugs"

Classroom Lesson: Take a bottle of prescription medicine, a bottle of over-the-counter medicine, and some Smarties candies. TUMS is also a good thing to show the kids, since they look like Smarties. 

"This week we are talking about drugs, and how they will hurt us if we put them inside our bodies. You should understand that there are different kinds of drugs, some are good and some are bad. Have you ever been to the PHARMACY with your mom? That is where we get a type of drug called a PRESCRIPTION. This is also called MEDICINE. If you talk to a doctor when you are sick, and the doctor tells you to take medicine, then it is ok to take that drug. BUT you have to follow the rules! Only take medicine that has your name on it, and follow the instructions for how much to take, and how long to keep taking it. Sometimes we get medicine for a tummy ache or head ache that we can buy without asking the doctor. Be sure to only use those kinds of medicine, or drug, when your mom or dad says it is OK, and follow the instructions on the bottle!"

We showed the TUMS and the SMARTIES to explain that some medicines look like candy, and even taste good, but we should never eat anything without asking a parent if it is safe for us. 

Each student received a button that said, "These Paws Don't Touch Drugs", and a roll of Smarties tied with a red ribbon, because "Legacy Lions are SMARTIES and don't touch drugs". The ribbon was sent home to be tied somewhere the whole family can see it. (At home is where most children learn how to use inappropriate drugs, such as cigarettes and alcohol.)

WHAT DID YOU DO FOR RED RIBBON WEEK?

~ E T