RAYMOND — Superintendent Tina McCoy and Director of Student Behavioral Health Jessica Caron announce the Raymond School District will participate in the National Red Ribbon Campaign this month.
The awareness campaign runs from Oct. 23 to Oct. 31 and is the largest drug prevention program in the nation. Those who take part work to educate youth about drug, alcohol and tobacco use and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.
“This week-long campaign serves as an important time to help lead students down a path where they are making positive choices in their lives,” Caron said. “These events are a great way to engage our students while educating them about the risks associated with substance misuse.”
Lamprey River Elementary School students will wear red clothing on Oct. 26-27 and pajamas on Oct. 28-29 as part of the campaign.
Iber Holmes Gove Middle School and Raymond High School students will be able to participate in theme days as well, which will be as follows:
- Monday, Oct. 26 will be “Put drugs to rest” day, where students can wear pajamas to school.
- Tuesday, Oct. 27: Wear red for Red Ribbon Week.
- Wednesday, Oct. 28 will be “Team up to defeat drugs” day, where students can dress in their favorite team shirt or jersey.
- Thursday, Oct. 29 will be twin day where students can dress alike to represent encouraging friends not to use drugs.
A remote Q&A with a panel of members from the Raymond Coalition for Youth, Substance Abuse Professional counselors, and others will be held for middle and high school parents on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 7-8 p.m. Parents and guardians will be able to ask questions and learn how to create a healthy dialogue with their child about drugs and alcohol.
To attend the meeting, click here or call 231-981-8132 and use the PIN 560 695 120#.
Registration is not required, but welcomed and appreciated. To do so, click here.
“We are proud to take part in this campaign and to help prepare our students to make the best choices for their health and safety for years to come,” Superintendent McCoy said. “Thank you to all the staff who helped to organize these events and for helping to educate students about the important lessons of the campaign.”
The district has partnered with the Raymond Coalition for Youth (RCFY), a local organization that brings community resources and partners together to help benefit the town’s youths, for this campaign for over 15 years.
“We do our best to tie the community in with the school so everyone knows these are community issues and everyone can support our students making healthy choices,” RCFY Executive Director Celeste Clark said. “We have businesses, health care and more who participate with the idea that this is a great opportunity to have a conversation about the dangers and risks of substance misuse. It also helps to build relationships with trusted adults so they know who can turn to in difficult situations.”
The Red Ribbon campaign was first established in 1985 in response to the murder of Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Enrique Camarena. Communities across the country then began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to broadcast a unified message that calls for a change in behavior.
For more information about the Red Ribbon campaign, click here.
Those who wish to purchase a Red Ribbon Week t-shirt, sweatshirt, jersey or mask from RCFY can do so here. All items are $10 each.
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