Dear Parents,
For the last twenty-one years school communities across the United States have used Red Ribbon Week as an opportunity to teach students about the dangers of drugs and to encourage healthy life choices. The students of St. Fidelis will celebrate and participate in Red Ribbon Week from October 19-23rd.
The Red Ribbons we wear during this celebration are a symbol of unity against the illegal use of drugs. This public display came about in response to the tragic 1985 murder of Federal Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Enrique Camarena while he was investigating Mexican drug traffickers. At that time, angry parent groups and others began wearing red ribbons to take a public stand against the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and to show their support of drug-free youth.
Many creative and exciting activities have been planned to help students retain the vital message that drugs are destructive. In hoping that you will help your children support this anti-drug stance I wanted to let you know what each day of Red Ribbon Week will look like.
Day 1: Monday, October 19th is "Pledge Day". Students will learn the Drug-Free Pledge. All students will learn this pledge in their classrooms to start off the week.
Day 2: Tuesday, October 20th is "Hugs, NOT Drugs Day". Students are encouraged to bring in their favorite stuffed animal to school or to remember to hug someone special in their lives.
Day 3: Wednesday, October 21st is "Red Day". Students are encouraged to wear something red with their uniform to school as a show of support for an anti-drug stance.
Day 4:Thursday, October 22 nd is "Shut The Door On Drugs Day". Drug use can be the doorway to so many other problems. Students will be encouraged to see this by literally having them make paper doors with construction paper, folded in half. The children will draw a door on the front of each piece of paper and write negative effects of drug use on the inside. These will be hung outside the classrooms with the title "Beware: opening the door to drugs can lead to…".
Day 5: Friday, October 23rd is "Team Up Against Drugs Day". Students are encouraged to wear a hat of their favorite team to school.
Thank you very much for your time and support.
Sincerely,
Judi Bellomo, LCSW
School Counselor