RED RIBBONS HONOR AGENT TORTURED BY DRUG DEALERS

This month, Cary schools will observe Red Ribbon Week October 20-26. The
campaign focuses on encouraging kids to stay alcohol-, tobacco- and drug-free.

During the week, students will wear red ribbons as a symbol of their
intolerance of illegal drugs and their commitment to live a drug-free
lifestyle.

Many will also participate in special programs designed to promote
cooperation, self-confidence and good decision-making skills.

The Red Ribbon program was initiated 16 years ago by drug enforcement
officials in honor of Special Agent Enrique Camerena, who was captured,
tortured and murdered by drug traffickers.

Coinciding with Red Ribbon Week, local students will also participate in a
community-wide celebration of Character Counts.

This program promotes six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect,
responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

At Cary Junior High, the program will be introduced by students from
Cary-Grove High School.

The Character Counts campaign encourages students to incorporate the
character-building qualities into their daily lives at school, during
sports and by becoming involved in the community.

And now that school and after-school programs are well under way, Cary
Junior High has created a new club to help kids keep up with their homework.

The AAA Program, which stands for After-School Academic Assistance, started
on Tuesday.

The program will be held on Tuesdays from 3:10 to 4 p.m. in the Cary Junior
High Learning Center.

The program is open to any student who wants help and time to complete
homework, study for tests, or work on long-term projects.

AAA is staffed by Cary Junior High faculty devoted to seeing students succeed.

Students who ride the bus but plan to say late for AAA can take the late
bus home. You must, however, sign up and obtain a late bus pass prior to
1:30 p.m. in order to get on the late bus. The buses will transport
students to areas or neighborhoods, not to individual residences.

If you have any questions regarding the new AAA program, call (847) 639-2148.