Schools Celebrate Drug-Free America - Red Ribbon Week

October, 2007

Drug and alcohol abuse prevention took center stage October 23-27 as Plano ISD's nearly 53,000 students joined their peers nationwide in celebrating "Drug-free America Red Ribbon Week." This site spotlights prevention efforts and provides links to drug-prevention sites.

(Above) BMX Bike Show/RRW Kick-Off Assembly, Aldridge Elementary

• Elementary Schools
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• Helpful Links

Elementary Schools

Aldridge Elementary School

Andrews Elementary School

Counselors taught curriculum lessons about ways to stay safe and drug free. Support was shown with car headlights, participation in theme days and wearing wrist bands with the drug free message all week. Positive statement wall, October 18th, students and parents were given note cards and returned with an anti-drug message or stories about people who have been a positive influence and why.

October 22  - collect all note cards from parents for positive statements Theme “I elect to be Drug Free” Students wear red, white, and blue!
October 23 - “Give drugs the slip” wear your slippers or house shoes also bring tennis shoes for outside and physical education. October 24 - Theme “Be proud to be Drug-Free” National Red Ribbon Day Wear Red today!
October 25 - Theme “Make it a goal to stay drug-free” Dress up as your career for the future or wear your favorite college team’s jerseys today!

Barksdale Elementary School

Barksdale Elementary 5th Grade students “May Be Crazy but They Don’t Do Drugs”

Pictured during Red Ribbon Week and "Crazy Hair Day" are (front row)  Megan Fass and Grace Breitenfeld; (back row) Avery Fowler,  Arianna Jopling and Natalie Thompson

Beverly Elementary School

Officers Bianez (pictured) and Privett entertained with their "High Flying Excitement" Red Ribbon Week Assembly on Friday. Themes were: Monday: "Use Your Head Don't Do Drugs;" Wear red and bring a picture of your favorite activity; Tuesday: "Drugs Give You the Blues;" Wear blue; Wednesday: "Drugs Turn You Inside Out;" Wear your clothes inside-out; Thursday: "Tie One On Against Drugs;" Wear ties

Centennial
Elementary School

Centennial third graders dreamed about a drug free world. "Good Morning Centennial" anchors introduced each day's theme on the announcements.

Dooley Elementary School

Wednesday morning, Officer Art Parker and Dooley fifth grade students presented an assembly “Just Say No” to the Dooley students in celebration of Red Ribbon Week.

Forman Elementary School

Red Ribbon Kick off Day - It's Cool to Just Say "No" to Drugs; Oct. 23 - Drugs and I Don't Mix; Oct. 24 - School Spirit ; Oct. 25 - Be Drug Free

Hughston Elementary School

Hughston Balloon Launch took place on Friday to kick off Red Ribbon Week. The students signed cards pledging to be drug and alcohol free. The cards were affixed to balloons, and released all together. The counselor Pam Hart's e-mail address was included on the cards, so people who found them could e-mail her. They were found as far away as Royce City and Baytown (near Houston).

Hunt Elementary School

The Hunt Hounds participated in the following Red Ribbon Week activities: Oct. 22 - "Pledge to be Drug-Free Bracelet Day" + "Sock it to Drugs Day!" wear pledge bracelets & crazy socks; kids get to go without their shoes in the classroom; Oct. 23 - "Wear Red Day" + A special school presentation with Mr. Phil Baker entitled: Character Rocks thanks to Hunt's PTA; Oct. 24 - "Hound Dogs Don't Do Drugs Day" students bring their favorite small, stuffed dog (Hunt's mascot) to be with them at school; Oct. 25 - "Do Sports Instead of Drugs" everyone wears their favorite sport's team attire. Pictured (back row, l-r) Collin Lankford, Jourdan Lawrence, Garrett Ezelle, Amiee Isfalt; and (front row l-r) Zachary Mathys and Joshua Call.

McCall Elementary School

Oct. 22 - “TOO COOL TO DO DRUGS” Students and teachers wear your favorite “Sunglasses” today.
Oct. 23 -“JOIN OUR DRUG FREE TEAM” Students and teachers wear your favorite sports team shirt.
Oct. 24 -“HATS OFF TO A DRUG FREE LIFE” Wear your favorite hat or a silly hat.
Oct. 25 - “WE’RE DRUG FREE SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SRIRIT” Students wear their McCall Spirit shirts or wear as much red as you can.
Oct. 29 -“SOCK IT TO DRUGS” Wear your crazy socks.

Miller Elementary School

Special morning announcements and posters decorated the hallways made by student council members. Red ribbons were on front pillars reminding us to "Enter Ready to Learn" with a healthy/drug free brain. Red Ribbon Bracelets were given to all Miller students to wear throughout the week (graciously provided by our PTA). Wednesday, October 24, School-wide assembly featured inspirational/motivational speaker, Keith Davis. Mr. Davis is a former professional football player. The program focused on inspiring students to make good choices in their lives. Mr. Davis uses his platform as a former professional football player to let students know that they don't have to be a world class athlete, just a world class person to succeed in life. Special Dress Days included:

• Monday- Wear your favorite team shirt/jersey- "Be on the team that makes Miller drug free!"
• Tuesday - Wear crazy socks- Sock it to drugs and stay drug free!"
• Wednesday- Wear your All-American Red/White/Blue with jeans- "Vote YES for a drug free life!"
• Thursday - Wear slippers and Miller spirit wear- "Slip away from drugs and be smart...dont' start!"

Mitchell
Elementary
School

Hats off to being drug free! Pictured on hat day: Briana, Payton, Elizabeth and Ashley

Rasor Elementary School

Ravina Ray, assistant principal, waved to the crowd during Rasor’s Red Ribbon Parade, as Safety Patrol Members Taylor Stephens, Nabiha Kaiser, Amanda Clary, Cathelyn Klein, and Ryan Mcmanus followed with their banner.

Saigling Elementary School

“Be Mindful of Your Choices”

First Grade Pledge (Counselor Barbara Reynolds with students Zach Howe, Chloe Scheufler, MacKenzie Alpert, John Hosterman)

Oct 22nd - “I am me…Drug Free!” – Students wore their Red Ribbon wrist bands with pride to show they respect their health.
Oct 23rd - " Put on Your Thinking Caps! – Students and staff wore their favorite hat to show they were being mindful of the many choices of ways to “Say No to Drugs!”
Oct 24th - " Reach out for others, not drugs!  Students and staff brought in boxed or canned food items for the Saigling Food Drive.
Oct 25th- " Team Up Against Drugs! – Students and staff wore their Saigling spirit shirt or their favorite sports team’s shirt or jersey.  As a team we can Take a Stand Against Drugs in many different ways

Sigler Elementary School

Sigler's Red Ribbon Week featured many different activities such as "Team Up" against drugs day and everyone wore team jerseys. They also had a special assembly featuring magician David D'Angelo and his drug free program. Assistant (Pictured: Principal Andrea Cockrell and Music Teacher Linda LaCounte Team up against Drugs!)

Stinson Elementary School

Dennis Lee brought laughter and a positive message about making responsible choices and Saying "NO" to illegal drugs. (Pictured: Zachary Carney, Connor Ryan, McKenzie Stouffer and Hana Berhe)

Oct. 22 “Put your Armor on Against Drugs” Students receive d red ribbons and wore them each day.
Oct. 23 “My Future is Bright because I am Drug Free” Students voluntarily dressed as their career for the future or wore sunglasses during scheduled times during the day.
Oct. 24 “Team up against Drugs and Alcohol”
Favorite team’s shirt day and attended a “Say NO To Drugs Assembly with guest Dennis Lee and Nana Puddin.
Oct. 25 “I have the “Power” to be Drug Free" Students showed their spirit by wearing their Stinson shirt.

Weatherford Elementary School

Faculty and staff members reminded students, "Use your head, don't use drugs!"

Middle Schools

Frankford
Middle
School

Some students at Frankford Middle School were visited by the grim reaper to represent people who die as the result of drugs. Students showed their support for drug awareness by dressing all in red.

Rice Middle School

The PTA distributed handouts during home room supporting drug free messages. Drug Buster Facts and questions of the day were shared during lunches. Drug Buster Facts were discussed in all social studies classes. Drug-free videos were shown in all science classes, and drug-free pledges were made by students in science classes.

Oct. 24- Crash Car on site and a community dinner and music night at school - coordinated and sponsored by Rice PTA along with the Rice music department
Oct. 25 - Officer Rich Emberlin of Dallas S.W.A.T. spoke to students about the dangers of drugs during lunches
Nov. 5 - A Motivational Productions film, "Behind the Faces" will be shown to all students and staff at grade level presentations. Parent are also encouraged to attend.

Robinson Middle School

Mismatch Day - "Drugs and I Don't Match," proclaimed seventh grade students McKenzie Hearn, Kelsey Webster, Rachel Tran, Cassidy Krantz, Aheili Chattopadhyay, Amanda Sherman and Claire Darrouzet.

Schimelpfenig Middle School

Student Theme Days
October 19th - Wear Red Day
October 22nd - Hat Day
October 23rd - Crazy Sock Day
October 24th - Slipper Day
October 25th - College/Team Jersey Day

Student Council, NJHS, and PTA put up posters and school decorations. The focus started with October 19 MADD Crash Car and MADD assembly presentation. It will continue through the year with a Wednesday, March 12, MADD "Take Two" program: A flood of fast-paced, powerful imagery. "Take Two" engages students with poignant stories of real young people; celebrity interviews; clips from major motion pictures; and a contemporary soundtrack that features the music students know. The show also teaches students the importance of making healthy choices, avoiding alcohol and other drug use and understanding the risks and responsibilities as new teen drivers. Schimelpfenig will also feature tobacco, alcohol, and drug guidance lessons through Friday Focus class time throughout the school year. (October focus - Tobacco, November focus - Alcohol, February focus - Drugs)

High Schools

Jasper High School

Spirit Week:
Oct 22: "Drugs and I don't mix" Mix and Match Day
Oct 23: "Lei off of drugs" Hawaiian theme Day
Oct 24: "Put a cap on drugs" Funny Hat Day
Oct 25: "Red Out" Whole school wears red

Each student received a lei on Tuesday during 2nd period, a "What is your Natural High?" red rubber bracelet on Monday during 4th period, and a Red Ribbon on Wednesday during 4th period. They sold temporary tattoos "Hugs Not Drugs" "Too Smart to Start" as well as key chains "If you booze, you lose" "O2 addicted to life, not tobacco" before school and during lunch each day. There were T.R.U.T.H. announcements each morning during the morning announcements. On Wednesday morning, there was outlined chalk bodies on the sidewalks upon entering the school with a name, age, and what they died from. The school was decked out from the inside out with red ribbon pride.

Senior High Schools

Plano East Senior High

Oct. 22 - cafeteria give-aways (ribbons, stickers, pins, silicon bracelets)
Oct. 23 - DEAD DAY
Oct. 24 - Wear RED
Oct 25 - Pep Rally Candy

Plano West Senior High

Door decorating contest for second period classes, with the winner receiving a prize was held. Red ribbon-themed dress days included Pajama Day: "Reach for your dreams, not drugs", Super hero day: "Super heroes are drug-free", Western Day: "The home of the Lone Star Cup is drug free", College Day: "Go to college drug-free!" and West Spirit Day: "Plano West Wolves are Drug Free" Prizes were awarded to the most spirited, with a grand prize of a American Express $20 gift card. Goodies like pencils and stickers were distributed to all students.

Helpful Links

• Collin County Substance Abuse Coalition - Plano ISD is a member of this newly-formed coalition which provides alcohol and drug assessments and referral, information, video library and speakers bureau.
• JustThinkTwice.Com - DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) offers information about drug abuse's Costs to Society, Facts & Fiction, It Can't Happen to Me, Got Meth?
• National Institute on Drug Abuse- Custom sites for students/youth, parents, researchers. Includes current messages from the director, list of "drugs of abuse" and a publications catalog. Link provided En Español.
• Red Ribbon WeekInformation and activity ideas
• Plano ISD Student/Parent Awareness Hotline - Call (469) 752-5385 for information about several topics, from drug abuse prevention to parenting issues to self-assessment. List of topics is posted in English and Spanish on this web site.

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