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Woodland Staff, Students Commemorating Red Ribbon Week

Wearing red, making canned food donations and reflecting on positive behavior are just a few of the activities Woodland students will be participating in next week to mark Red Ribbon Week.

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.

The theme this year is You Only Live Once (YOLO) Be 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 home decorating photo contest 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 in physical education and health classes will watch a motivational movie and the school District food service provider, Arbor Management, will be serving red food items in the lunchroom.

The Middle School planning committee of 15 enlisted help from 27 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. They include "Living Healthy is No Sweat" on Wednesday where children may wear their favorite sweatshirt and/or sweatpants to school, "Sock it to Unhealthy Choices" where students may wear crazy or mismatched socks on Thursday, and "Give Drugs the Boot" where students may wear western wear, cowboy boots/hats on Friday. Donations of canned food or nonperishable foods will also be accepted each day for the upcoming food drive at the elementary school buildings while socks are being collected at the intermediate school.

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 watching the video, "Don't Call Me Names" followed by a discussion about being kind and how to react when someone says unkind things.

"Red Ribbon Week is a motivating catalyst that encourages our students to make healthy choices not only during this week but all year. We are grateful and excited to be partnering with our local businesses to promote drug free youth in the Woodland Community." said Lori Casey, Associate Superintendent of Education.

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