Pubdate: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 Source: Weimar Mercury, The (TX) Copyright: 2003 The Weimar Mercury. Contact: http://www.weimarmercury.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3006 WEIMAR ELEMENTARY CELEBRATES RED RIBBON WEEK Weimar Elementary School is celebrating Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 27-31. The students and staff began the week by wearing red clothing to observe "Red Ribbon Day". A balloon release to was also held Monday morning. Students wrote drug-free slogans along with their names and school information on small pieces of paper which were inserted into balloons. After a short ceremony, hundreds of multi-colored balloons were released by the students to soar through the skies spreading the word that Weimar Elementary students are committed to leading a drug free life. As of today, two balloons have been found and the school notified. Students are anxiously awaiting news that more have been discovered. On Tuesday, the theme was "Team Up Against Drugs". The school was "overrun" by athletes as students and staff members enjoyed wearing clothing showing their favorite sport or sport team. Of course, everyone's favorite team is our very own Weimar Wildcats! On Wednesday the theme was "A War Against Drugs." Everyone wore camouflage or military-style clothing. SSG Riley of the United States National Guard, stationed in Columbus, Texas, gave a short presentation to all the students about the importance of a good education and staying away from drugs and alcohol. The highlight of his visit was the opportunity for all the students to see and sit in a military Hummer. On Thursday, the students will wear red, white and blue clothing representing the theme for the day, "United We Stand for a Drug-Free Land." A Drug and Alcohol Awareness Program will also be presented to the students by Officer Berm of the Weimar Police Department. On Friday the theme is "Say Boo to Drugs." Everyone will be able to wear their Halloween costumes, but without face painting or makeup due to PE and recess activities. An elementary pep rally will be held in the elementary gym beginning at 7:45 a.m. Varsity football players, cheerleaders, Dance Cats and band members will visit the elementary students and present each with a bag of treats. The WHS student council will also give a Halloween safety presentation to Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade students at 1:45. All students will end the day with Halloween parties. Students also had the opportunity to win several prizes this week based upon their participation in Red Ribbon activities. Drawings were held daily and prizes were given to students who "dressed to be drug-free." Prizes included water bottles, calculators, pencils, and kickballs. A classroom prize will also be given on Friday to the class who has the most students participating, based upon percentages, throughout the week. All activities were planned by the Red Ribbon committee chaired by Sherise Davis. Other committee members were Karen Hoskins, Lisa Meysembourg and Christine Moore. Lisa Meysembourg, elementary school principal remarked, "It has been a wonderful week so far. It is exciting to see the students so enthused about participating in Red Ribbon activities while also learning about the importance of leading a healthy, drug-free life. I challenge all students to stay away from drugs and alcohol. Remember, users are losers!" - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart