This week San Benito County students will join with their peers
across the country in observing National Red Ribbon Week, during
which students across the country wear red ribbons to symbolize
their pledge to be drug-free.
Hollister – This week San Benito County students will join with their peers across the country in observing National Red Ribbon Week, during which students across the country wear red ribbons to symbolize their pledge to be drug-free.
San Benito County teachers and administrators believe the program is effective in bringing attention to drug abuse issues and teaching kids about the danger of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
“It makes us focus on the problem,” third grade Calaveras Teacher Donna Barry said Monday. “If you (get the message to) just one kid in the whole school it’s worth it.”
Following the murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena in Mexico by drug traffickers in 1985, several schools in California’s Imperial Valley formed Camarena Clubs, with the help of Camarena’s Congressman, Duncan Hunter. National Red Ribbon Week grew out of these clubs. Red Ribbon week started Sunday, Oct. 23 and will end on Monday, Oct. 31.
Yesterday teachers at Calaveras Elementary School passed out red ribbons which read “Too Smart to Start” to students during class. Last week, students throughout the county entered Red Ribbon week posters in a contest sponsored by the San Benito County Substance Abuse Program.
Marguerite Maze Middle School students have planned a Red Ribbon Rally for after school on Friday to celebrate being drug free, sixth grade math and language arts teacher Sheri Vanderpool said.
“It’s another celebration to show them that there is always something to do besides drugs,” she said. “They’ve really been working hard on this.”
The rally, which will be held from 2:30pm to 4pm on Friday, will feature basketball shooting and baseball throwing events, Vanderpool said.
Vanderpool knows the program can be effective, but believes a “Just Say No” approach isn’t enough.
“I try to not preach,” she said. “I let them know about their choices – they have to learn why it’s wrong.”
At Ranch San Justo Middle School, students who wear their red ribbons proudly this week have the chance to win Frisbees, water bottles or calculators, Student Activities Director Erica Robledo-Dickens said.
Several students and teachers at the school will also be participating in the Red Ribbon Mile Run this Sunday at 9am. During the annual run, students, teachers and community members compete race for the fastest time to win prizes. Rancho has had a strong presence at the event for the last four years, and Robledo-Dickens said she hopes the turnout will be even better this year.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com
