Red Ribbon Week 2011

Red Ribbon Week at Holy Rosary Academy was quite a success this year!  The following is an overview of the many different ways the students and staff came together to celebrate Red Ribbon Week and learn the importance of saying “No!” to negative peer pressure situations.  We used wrist bands and stickers purchased through Positive Promotions.

On Monday, we kicked off Red Ribbon Week with our pledge.  Each student and faculty member received a wrist band to wear the whole week (Each grade level group had a different one- PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8; “Celebrate Red Ribbon Week”, “Show Good Character by Being Drug Free”, and “Better Things to do Than Drugs”).  Students then also signed a red pledge slip (attached) in their homeroom class to create a red paper chain.  All chains were then collected and combined to create one large, school-wide pledge chain that was displayed in our gym foyer.

Tuesday was “Sock it to Drugs Day”!  Students wore crazy socks to school on this day.

Wednesday was “Give the Slip to Drugs Day” and students were able to wear slippers to school (grades 4-8).  This was also “Hugs, Not Drugs Day” for the younger grades PreK-3, and students were invited to bring a stuffed animal to school on this day.

Thursday was an Educational Day (as we have all-school mass and did not want to jeopardize the uniform policy this day).  I provided a few books found at the local library on being drug free, peer pressure, and making good choices that the teachers could read to their classes.  I also provided a few lesson plan ideas (role play skits, etc.) for teachers to use if they chose too.  During my guidance lessons scheduled for that week, we discussed drugs and peer pressure.  Throughout this day, the librarian and computer teachers were encouraged to have students create bookmarks and/or look up websites on drug education/peer pressure.

Friday was “Wear Red Day!” and students and faculty were invited to wear a red top to school on this day.  Various class pictures were taken as well.  This day was also “Smarties Don’t Do Drugs Day”, in which students received a sticker that said “Smarties Don’t do Drugs” and a pack of smarties.

Throughout the entire week, PSAs were made on the school’s morning video announcements by myself.  They were general and focused on making good choices and saying “no” to peer pressure, in hopes that all grades (PreK-8) could understand easily and take something important from them.  Students were also encouraged throughout the week to create “Anti-Drug”/Red Ribbon Week posters to hang around the school.