Pubdate: Mon, 31 Oct 2005
Source: Journal Gazette, The (IN)
Copyright: 2005 The Journal Gazette
Contact:  http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/908
Author: Krista J. Stockman

Education Notebook

ELEMENTARIES 'TURN THEIR BACKS' ON DRUGS

Hoods were in front. Buttons were in back. And some outfits were 
reminiscent of the '90s hip-hop duo Kris Kross - best known for 
wearing their clothes backward.

These were the fashions at Shambaugh Elementary as students "turned 
their backs on drugs" to celebrate Red Ribbon Week last week.

Schools across the country recognized the anti-drug week, which ends 
today, with a variety of activities. In Fort Wayne Community Schools, 
students received candy and pencils with drug-free messages, attended 
assemblies to hear about living drug free and wore silly outfits to 
symbolize drug-free phrases.

Third-grader Allie Stieber turned her bright pink corduroy so the 
buttons were in the back.

"It means we're turning your back on drugs," she said. "We're 
thinking to be drug free."

Brooke Houshoulder wore her navy blue long-sleeve shirt so the 
butterfly was in the back and the tag inside was in the front.

"Drugs are bad," she said. "They can kill you."

Shambaugh administrative intern Kathy Hurni-Dove said participating 
in the drug-free week is good for elementary schools.

"We feel the earlier that children learn to say no to drugs and turn 
their backs on drugs, the better," she said. "Children are very 
impressionable at a young age."

Students at Shambaugh also made posters with drug-free slogans, such 
as "Share a book, not a joint" and "If you do drugs, you'll get stuck 
with thugs."
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MAP posted-by: Beth