Woodland Students, Staff Commemorate Red Ribbon Week
Wearing red, focusing on healthy lifestyle choices and reflecting on positive behaviors are just a few of the activities Woodland students will be participating in next week to mark Red Ribbon Week.
The theme for this year's week, Oct. 23-31, is "Your Future is Key, so stay Drug Free!" On Monday, expect to see many students and staff throughout District 50 wearing red.
Woodland Middle School students have been decorating classroom doors for the occasion and they will also have a poster contest and the opportunity to dress for the various themed days as well as an activity every day to reinforce positive behaviors. The ROAR (Respect, Ownership, Acceptance and be Ready to learn) store at the Middle School will offer rewards to students who earn red ROAR cards throughout the week. Students may also see naturally red food items in the lunchroom.
The Middle School planning committee of 15 enlisted help from 24 businesses in the community to assist with donations for prizes throughout the week.
Elementary and Intermediate students will be participating in themed days throughout the week that promote healthy lifestyle choices. At Intermediate, the themed days include "Sock It to Unhealthy Choices" on Thursday where children may wear crazy or mismatched socks to school and "Say Boo to Drugs" where students may wear orange and black on Friday. At the elementary schools, the themes are also varied each day, including "Crazy Hair Day" with "Use Your Head for a Healthy Lifestyle" and wearing neon colors on Thursday for "Too Bright for Drugs."
The youngest students in the District at Woodland Primary School will also be reflective during the week through activities such as completing responsibility charts and welcoming a guest speaker from the Gurnee Police Department who will talk about community safety and Halloween safety.
"The activities held for students during Red Ribbon Week are designed to help them pause and think about the value of healthy choices they should make all year. We are grateful to our local community partners for assisting us in promoting drug free youth in the Woodland Community." said Lori Casey, Associate Superintendent of Education.
Local commemorations of Red Ribbon Week date back to 1985 when a nationwide campaign began in response to the death of Drug Enforcement Agency Agent Enrique Camerena. Parents and youth across the country began wearing red ribbons to symbolize a commitment to raise awareness of the destruction caused by drugs in America.