RED RIBBON WEEK SLATED

HORICON - Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated next week with three
days of special activities at Van Brunt Elementary and Middle School.

On Monday, students are asked to wear as much red as possible to
school. They will also be watching skits performed by the middle
school drama team.

On Tuesday, students are asked to wear bright colors. Michael McGowen
will speak to the elementary and middle school children. McGowan
presents numerous assemblies to school children every year. The
presentations are tailored to fit the individual school and grade
level. The primary focus is helping children to value their
differences and strengths. The grade school presentations focus on
reinforcing good decision making and encouraging children to use
their communication and networking skills to make positive
friendships. In middle school, the presentations focus on the
feelings they have about themselves and how they use a variety of
coping mechanisms as well as how they treat each other.

In both presentations, McGowan will address creating a positive
school culture, free of bullying and harassment. He challenges the
students to develop their full potential.

The week's finale will be on Wednesday with the day's theme of team
up against drugs. Students are to wear apparel from their favorite
sports teams.

October is drug and alcohol awareness month.

The first Red Ribbon Celebration was organized in 1986 by a
grassroots organization of parents concerned about the destruction
caused by alcohol and drug abuse.

The red ribbon was adopted as a symbol of the movement in honor of
Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, an agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration who was kidnapped and killed while investigating drug
traffickers.

The campaign has reached millions of children and has been recognized
by the U.S. Congress. Red Ribbon Week is a chance to be visible and
vocal in our desire for a drug-free community.

Research shows that children are less likely to use alcohol and other
drugs when parents and other role models are clear and consistent in
their opposition to substance use and abuse.