RED RIBBON GETS BLUE RIBBON

If your child attends school in the Amarillo Independent School
District, chances are he or she will be allowed to wear a hat, sweats
and even pajamas complete with house shoes to school this week.

No, the AISD is not getting lax in its dress policies.

The district is recognizing "Red Ribbon Week," a nationwide drug
prevention program that is scheduled this week at several schools and
campuses.

Schools have come up with individual drug-free themes for each day
this week, with students encouraged to wear different clothes
pertaining to the day's theme.

For example, Lawndale Elementary is having "Sock Out Drugs" day on
Thursday, with students wearing "crazy socks" to school. Motorists
traveling down Bell Street recently might have noticed the "AHS Drug
Free" sign displayed in red on the school fence.

For a list of "Red Ribbon Week" activities at AISD schools, go to the
district's Web site at www.amaisd.org.

Students cannot be made too aware of the dangers of drug use, and
schools, as well as parents, should support innovative ways to drive
this message home.

Who knows?

Maybe wearing pajamas to school will serve as a reminder of the
dangers of drugs.