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Pubdate: Tue, 09 Nov 2004 Source: Monitor-Index (Moberly MO) Copyright: 2004 The Moberly Monitor-Index Contact: http://www.moberlymonitor.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3316 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Red+Ribbon (Red Ribbon Week) RED RIBBON WEEK ACTIVITIES HELD IN HOLLIDAY The Holliday C-2 School hand many activities for the students at the Holiday C-2 School. Students across America celebrate Red Ribbon Week to become aware of drugs and to stay drug-free. The activities this week included dressing up around a daily theme, performing skits about staying drug-free, creating a 3-D bulletin board display, and listening to speakers. The students' favorite presentation was the K-9 Unit from Monroe County. Officers Ronnie Barton and Raymond Barton brought their two drug dogs in for the students to see. They watched the dogs search bags for drugs and attack a bad guy. Students were very excited about seeing the dogs in action and learning more about them. Students learned many things about the dogs and their trainers. They learned the ages of the two dogs, 1'8 months and three years. This makes quite a bit of difference in their behaviors. Both have excellent noses and can sniff out four different drug scents. They both sit down when they find the drug and that is called hitting on the drug. One dog is rewarded with a rubber chew toy and the other dog is rewarded with food. They both live with the officers' families and often have to train them on their own personal time because of the lack of funding for them. They keep track of the training and are able to use that information in court to help them show that their dogs have had adequate training to continue to find drugs. The dogs are used at traffic stops and search hes by the police. Students asked about different breeds for different assignments. The Monroe County area is very fortunate to have these offices here. The students were allowed to pet the dogs and found them to be very friendly. Students and teachers really enjoyed the dogs' visit to the school. Students found al the presentations given during Red Ribbon Week to be outstanding. They listened to Officer Brent Bernhardt tell about his job as a Highway Patrolman. He was recently seen on national news on the Good Morning America Show and other new programs because of his job as the public spoksman during the plane crash at Kirksville. He told us a personal story of a friend that he wished he could have stopped from using drugs because his friend was killed in a crash where drugs were involved. Associate Circuit Court Judge Mike Wilson spoke with the students and asked them not to accept the lie.. The lie being that drugs and alcohol make you look good or act cool. He has seen many people who use drugs in court and they do not look very good or seem very cool or act cool to him. He talked with the students about focusing on their dreams and their goals and making good and right choices. He told students that almost every case that comes before him has a start related to using drugs or alcohol. He asked students not to make a poor choice, but to make good choices and stay drug-free. Tammy Fugate from M.A.D.D. (Mother's Against Drunk Driving) talked with the students about her daughter who was killed by a drunk driver. She provided the students with information and presented activities. She had a film about traffic accidents and the trouble caused by drunk drivers. She brought pictures and discussed her loss. The class performed skits on Friday. The fifth grade won the prize for the best skit. The class that participated the most was the eighth grade. Each day, the students dressed up to show their support and choice to stay drug-free. Students were given chances to win a boom box and three CD Walkman players. Additional smaller prizes were given to all participants. Mrs. Redigton did a fantastic job as sponsor of the week. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek