Pubdate: Fri, 28 Oct 2005
Source: Brazosports Facts, The (TX)
Copyright: 2005 The Facts
Contact:  http://www.thefacts.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1406
Author: Lucretia Fernandez
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Red+Ribbon
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

PARADE ROUNDS OUT RED RIBBON WEEK

Dressed in red and waving red streamers, Madge Griffith Elementary
students marched down Lexington Street chanting, "Say no to drugs, say
no to drugs."

Clute fire and EMS trucks and police cars escorted the parade as it
turned onto Washington Avenue, and residents stepped out of their
homes as the voices of children rose above the resounding sirens.

The parade was to rally the school around an anti-drug theme,
Brazosport ISD spokesman Stuart Dornburg said.

"It gives the kids a chance to realize that they have a large support
network around them," Griffith counselor Cindy Kaale said.

Area schools celebrated Red Ribbon Week by wearing the signature
ribbons and engaging in educational activities this week.

At Madge Griffith, children lined Washington Avenue cheering and
jumping up and down.

"Red Ribbon Week is important because we learn that being drug-free is
good for our body and our brain and our education," said Christy
Garcia, who is in the fourth grade.

"It's healthy," Mayra Balanzar added.

Red Ribbon Week is in memory of Enrique Camarena, who worked
undercover for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, according to
the agency's Web site. In 1985, Camarena was kidnapped by drug
traffickers and later found dead.

The first Red Ribbon Week was organized by the National Family
Partnership in 1988 to protect children from the dangers of drugs and
alcohol.

Many area schools gave each day of Red Ribbon Week a theme. At Alvin
Junior High, one day was dubbed "Too Cool to do Drugs" and the
students were encouraged to sport their favorite athletic team's
T-shirt, said Vicki Maliszewski, the student acceleration director's
secretary.

At E.C. Mason Elementary, kids wore hats on a day named "Hat's off to
a drug-free week," she said.

"One of the things Red Ribbon week does for all educators and parents
is it reminds us to focus the kids on what's important in life," said
Denise Babb, director of student acceleration for Alvin ISD. "I can
only hope that we continue talking about this issue and find out more
ways to keep the message alive."

Sweeny High School's student council is emphasizing the impact drugs
and alcohol can have on an entire community by hosting a "dead day" on
Friday, said Heather Wells, a co-sponsor of the student council. At
the end of each period, a grim reaper will come and tap a kid. The
student will remain in school but will not participate in any
activities. The "dead" students will wear all black and their T-shirts
will say "victim," Wells said.

A scenario of how the student died will accompany each "dead"
student.

"It's to emphasize how it would be without the students," Wells
said.

Damon ISD students made and hung posters that promoted being
drug-free, Reading teacher Stephen Meredith said. A DARE officer
visited the schools during the week to talk about the story behind Red
Ribbon Week and why saying "no" to drugs is so important.

Brazosport ISD handed out more than 6,000 copies of "Growing Up
Drug-Free" to elementary students. The U.S. Department of Education
booklet is a guide to parents on how to speak to children about drugs
and alcohol. Between the school and the students' parents, Brazosport
ISD hopes the drug-free message stays with children, Dornburg said.

"To be successful, this is one obstacle you have to avoid," Dornburg
said. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake