BISD CAMPUSES CELEBRATE RED RIBBON WEEK

- - Editor's note: This story was submitted by the Beeville Independent
School District to be published during Red Ribbon Week.

As with so many of our nation's most successful endeavors, what is now
known as the Red Ribbon Campaign began as a passionate, grass-roots
expression of concern. It was initiated in 1985 by a group of parents
in Illinois and Virginia following the brutal murder of Enrique
Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent, by drug
traffickers. By urging citizens to wear the symbolic red ribbon, they
created the backbone of support for the Red Ribbon Campaign.

The red ribbon is more than just a ribbon. It is a symbol of
awareness; a sign that we choose to strive for drug-free lives. It is
a powerful educational tool that should be utilized not only one week
in October, but throughout the year. By wearing a red ribbon and
saying no to drugs, we can make a difference and prevent future tragedies.

From 1988 through 1996, the Texas Red Ribbon Campaign was sponsored by
Texans' War on Drugs. The Texas Commission of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
(TCADA) has committed resources to ensuring the continuance of the
Texas Red Ribbon Campaign.

The mission of the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse is to
provide leadership and resources needed to prevent our children from
using drugs, to help persons who are addicted recover, to protect our
families and communities from the dangers of drug abuse.

The TCADA encourages all Texans to demonstrate their commitment for a
drug-free Texas by wearing or displaying red ribbons during Red Ribbon
Week. Texans are encouraged to participate in Red Ribbon Week programs
and activities in their communities and help build the bridge from
awareness to action.

Activities sponsored for the remainder of this week by the Beeville
Independent School District include:

Tyler Kindergarten

Wednesday: Wear Red Day - "Paint Red Hearts on Faces" during PE

Thursday: "Hugs Not Drugs" - Tyler students will go to TJIS to give
students "Hershey Hugs."

Friday: classroom Halloween parties

R.A. Hall Elementary School

Wednesday: "Wear Red Day," all students and staff will be encouraged to
wear red to signify their unified belief that drugs destroy
dreams; Angela Welborn, Bee County extension agent, will visit third and
fourth grade classes during their physical education
classes to discuss the dangers of smoking, the importance of proper
nutrition and the importance of physical activity in maintaining
a healthy body.

FMC Elementary

Wednesday: "Red Day" - Students will be encouraged to wear red to school.
The classroom with the most students wearing red will be
recognized at the Friday assembly; teachers will use an activity from the
D.A.V.E. curriculum.

Thursday: "Put a Lid on Drugs" - Students will wear their crazy hats. Each
classroom will select the best hat. Teachers will use an
activity from the D.A.V.E. curriculum.

Friday: "Let's Be Free of Drugs/Pledge Day" - Students will be encouraged
to wear patriotic clothes and to sign a pledge card to
remain drug free. An assembly will be held around the blacktop at 9 a.m.
Students will recite the drug-free pledge; balloons will be
released; classrooms will be recognized for having the most feet on their
wall, having the most students wearing ties, and having
the most students wearing red; students and one staff member will be
recognized as winners of the crazy hat contest.

Moreno Junior High School

Wednesday: Wear red to show your support and participation in being drug free.

Thursday: "Put a Hat on Drugs" - all students and faculty are urged to wear
a hat of some type to show their support.

Friday: "Our future is so bright without drugs that we have to wear
shades." All students and faculty members will wear sunglasses
to show their promise to be drug-free.

Thomas Jefferson Intermediate School

Wednesday: Announce door decorating contest winners and "Wear Red Day."

Thursday: "Shade Out Drugs," wear your sunglasses.

Friday: "Put A Cap On Drugs," wear your favorite cap

Learning Resource Center

Wednesday: "Wear Red Day," students will wear red.

Thursday: "Too Cool for Drugs," students will wear sun glasses.

Friday: "Drugs are Scary," students will dress in Halloween costumes.
Prizes will be given for the best costumes.