Pubdate: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 Source: Big Spring Herald (TX) Pubdate: October 27, 2003 Contact: PO Box 1431 Big Spring, Texas 79721 Fax: (432) 264-7205 Website: http://www.bigspringherald.com/ RED RIBBON WEEK: SCHOOLS PROMOTING DRUG-FREE LIFESTYLE THROUGH VARIOUS EVENTS Beginning today, Howard County schools are celebrating Red Ribbon Week, a statewide campaign to promote a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle. "Red Ribbon Week is about encouraging kids to be drug-free and marking the progress we've made," Dr. Dave Wanser, Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) executive director, said in a press release. "This campaign provides communities with a forum to bring together parents, school and businesses as we look for new and innovative ways to keep kids drug free." According to a 2002 survey by the TCADA, alcohol continues to be the most widely used substance among Texas students in grades seven-12. Seventy-one percent of students reported they had used alcohol at some point in their lives. This percentage has remained relatively steady in recent years. "This study demonstrates the importance of incorporating a balanced approach, education and enforcement, in trying to curtail this epidemic," said Greg Hamilton, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission chief of enforcement. A list of activities for each school includes: Bauer Magnet Elementary School Today, "Just Say No" shirt day. Students will receive red ribbons. Activities through the week include watching a drug prevention related video, saying the Just Say No pledge, trivia questions and coloring drug-free color sheets. Tuesday, Put a Cap on and Turn Your Back on Drugs day. Students can wear caps to school. Other activities are shooting hoops, not drugs and tying red ribbons around trees. Wednesday, Hugs Not Drugs day. Students can bring stuffed animals to school and will create a list of activities to do instead of drugs. Thursday, Shade Out Drugs day. Students may wear sun shades to school. Friday, Give Drugs the Slip day. Students are encouraged to wear slippers to school. Other activities include planting a red ribbon promise garden. Kentwood Elementary Today, Band Against Drug day. Student will receive red Just Say No wrist bands. Each class will receive a "Drugs are Dumb" poster. Tuesday, Tie Up Drugs Day. Students will tie red ribbons around school trees. Kindergarten through second grade students will receive coloring sheets. Third and fourth grade students will receive red ribbon pledge cards to sign. Wednesday, Hugs Not Drugs day. Students may bring stuffed animals to school. Activities for the day include hand and foot tracings. Thursday, Red day. Students and staff are encouraged to wear red clothing. Friday, Put a Cap on Drugs day. Students and staff may wear caps. Moss Elementary Today, Leaf Drugs Alone day. Students will write pledges to leave drugs alone on leaves. The pledges will be displayed in the hallway. Students will also tie red ribbons around school trees and receive write bands. Tuesday, Be a Good Sport and Stay Away From Drugs day. Students are encouraged to wear their favorite team shirt. Wednesday, Color Me Drug Free day. Students are encouraged to wear many different colorful clothes and also bring a stuffed animals to school. Thursday, Wear Red Day. Students and staff are encouraged to wear red clothing. A puppet show will be held where students will recite the pledge. Friday, Say Boo to Drugs day. Students can wear costumes. A costume parade will be held in the cafeteria. Marcy Elementary Today, Band Against Drug day. Student will receive red Just Say No wrist bands. Each class will receive a "Drugs are Dumb" poster. Tuesday, Tie Up Drugs Day. Students will tie red ribbons around school trees. Kindergarten through second grade students will receive coloring sheets. Third and fourth grade students will receive red ribbon pledge cards to sign. Wednesday, Hugs Not Drugs day. Students may bring stuffed animals to school. Activities for the day include hand and foot tracings. Thursday, Red day. Students and staff are encouraged to wear red clothing. Friday, Put a Cap on Drugs day. Students and staff may wear caps. Washington Elementary Today, Just Say No Bracelets. Students in each class will sign and display a poster pledging to remain drug-free. During the week, McGruff the Crime Dog will deliver a message on the morning announcements. Tuesday, Tie Red Ribbons Around Trees. Wednesday, Spell It Out Day. Students will use Styrofoam cups to spell out a drug-free message on the front fence. Thursday, Wear Red day. Students are encouraged wear an item of red clothing. Friday, Sock it to Drugs. Students are encouraged to wear colorful socks to school. Goliad Intermediate School Today, Drug Awareness Wrist Band. Tuesday, Red Door Decorating Contest. A red balloon launch will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Red Day. Students and staff are encouraged to wear red. Thursday, Double Up Against Drugs day. Students will team up with a friend and dress as twins. Friday, Say Boo to Drugs essay contest. Winners will receive free ice cream or Fruitopia coupons. Big Spring Junior High School Today, Sock Out Drugs, Spirit Day: Crazy Sock Day. Tuesday, Change Your Hair Style, not Your Life Style day. Wednesday, Don't Get in Trouble, Dress Like a Double Spirit Day. Thursday, Put a Cap on Drugs. Students are encouraged to wear caps to school. Friday, It's been a Great Week, so Dress Like a Geek, Spirit Day. Big Spring High School Today, student council officers will tie red ribbons around campus and pass out wristbands. Tuesday, Wear Red day. Faculty and students are encouraged to wear red. Wednesday, student council officers will tie red ribbons on car antennas. Thursday, a special tribute will be given over the school's PA system. Forsan ISD Today, hand out red ribbons and pledge cards to students. Tuesday, anti-illegal drug coloring sheets. Wednesday, wear red day. Thursday, decorate grocery bags from H-E-B with preventative messages. Friday, each student will write their own reasons for being drug-free.