Red Ribbon Week ends Friday
It was just past 10:30 on Monday morning, and Hillsboro Elementary School counselor Mike Moran had already spent plenty of time with the muddy earth behind the school.
On Sunday, Moran had taken shovel in hand and formed winding paths to plant tulip bulbs in. Now Monday, each HES class was coming out one at a time to plant the bulbs in the ridges.
An hour and a half before lunch, and Moran had five classes down, 12 to go.
The tulip-planting project kicked off a week full of activities for Red Ribbon week, which began Monday.
Each school year, Red Ribbon Week encourages students to stand against illegal drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. It's part of a monthlong drug awareness program that Moran presents in individual HES classrooms.
This year's theme is "Plant the Promise" — hence, the tulip-planting that took place Monday. The tulips are the first step in a garden being planned by fifth-grade teacher Sherry Fields (see adjacent story).
Red Ribbon Week is most actively celebrated in the elementary and middle schools, Moran said.
According to the history of the event, red ribbons were first worn as a symbol of solidarity against illegal drug use when a federal drug officer, Agent Enrique Camarena, was killed on the job in 1985. Red ribbons became the sign of unity worn by angry parent groups and other likeminded people.
Today, Red Ribbon Week is recognized by schools nationwide.
At HES, activities varied from Red Ribbon Day on Tuesday and Crazy Socks Day on Wednesday. That day also featured a drug-free run at the Tabor College track. Thursday is Career Day.
Friday, the final day, features a closing assembly and poetry readings by fourth-graders in Lenna Knoll's language arts classes.
One of the most important aspects of the week, Moran said, is when students practice refusal skills. It's a way for them to prepare to "just say no" to drugs.
Fourth- and fifth-grade students practice their refusal skills in skits, and the best ones will be presented during Friday's assembly.
Red Ribbon Week is also making an appearance at Hillsboro Middle School. And for those students, different types of dress was the rule.
Monday was hat day; Tuesday was Too Cool day — sunglasses and Hawaiian shirts; Wednesday was Team Up Against Drugs — team clothing; Thursday is Be the Best You Can Be — dress-up day; and Friday is United We Stand — dressing in red, white, and blue.
(quote from Tonja Wienck Tuesday)
