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May. 27th, 2015 05:45 pmI know everyone is on Tumblr now, but I still haven't figured out how to actually communicate there, so I'm asking my question here. I need opinions/suggestions/advice! I'm on the committee for this fall's Red Ribbon Week for both the high school and the middle school. I'm looking to bring some new ideas to the table. Currently, or for the past dozen years or so, Red Ribbon Week includes decorating the school (inside & out) with the traditional red ribbons, having a crashed car displayed in front of the school, having all the kids sign a pledge to say no to drugs and alcohol, and a themed day for each day of the week (where the kids are given a dress up theme for each day and then are also given candy each day at lunch with a cheesy slogan - like there is a "mixed up" day where kids wear mismatched or crazy clothes and the slogan is "don't get mixed up in drugs" OR we give them suckers and the slogan is "don't be a sucker; say no to drugs" ETC).
I know there are kids that are already smoking or doing questionable things in middle school, and I don't know what's worse - the kids I know smoke up in the bathroom and still take our candy or the ones who tell us they can't take the candy because they don't want to sign the pledge. This past year, the kids were given smarties one day and there were kids that crushed up the smarties and snorted them.
I would love to have some ideas about something different we could do, especially something that might actually make an impression and stick with the kids. The budget for this isn't very big (and it's actually a lot bigger for the middle school than the high school). One of the other moms wants to get a speaker in for the kids and do some sort of assembly, which is an idea, but apparently whoever she has talked to about this says it would cost too much even if the schools split the cost. (I would think that there should be someone we could get to come speak for free, but what would I know.) And I personally think that a big part of this is just making kids aware that there are adults that are looking out for them, if that makes sense? I know this isn't elementary school, so like an essay contest or something wouldn't work. But maybe a daily trivia question or something.
So, what I need from yall. Whether you're a parent, a teacher (or someone who works with middle school/high school kids in some capacity), a teen or former teen, lol - give me some ideas on how to shake up this year's Red Ribbon Week?
I know there are kids that are already smoking or doing questionable things in middle school, and I don't know what's worse - the kids I know smoke up in the bathroom and still take our candy or the ones who tell us they can't take the candy because they don't want to sign the pledge. This past year, the kids were given smarties one day and there were kids that crushed up the smarties and snorted them.
I would love to have some ideas about something different we could do, especially something that might actually make an impression and stick with the kids. The budget for this isn't very big (and it's actually a lot bigger for the middle school than the high school). One of the other moms wants to get a speaker in for the kids and do some sort of assembly, which is an idea, but apparently whoever she has talked to about this says it would cost too much even if the schools split the cost. (I would think that there should be someone we could get to come speak for free, but what would I know.) And I personally think that a big part of this is just making kids aware that there are adults that are looking out for them, if that makes sense? I know this isn't elementary school, so like an essay contest or something wouldn't work. But maybe a daily trivia question or something.
So, what I need from yall. Whether you're a parent, a teacher (or someone who works with middle school/high school kids in some capacity), a teen or former teen, lol - give me some ideas on how to shake up this year's Red Ribbon Week?
