We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Harlem Elementary Principal, Ms. Evelyn Bigby, Assistant Principal, Ms. Jessica Cochran, and counselors, Ms. Melody Sand and Ms. Ruth Stephenson, distribute treats and glow sticks as each grade level participated in the Halloween costume parade.
Harlem Elementary School Secretary, "Baby Shark," aka Taylor Richardson; Principal "Dino," aka Evelyn Bigby; and Assistant Principal, "Uni," aka Jessica Cochran, prepare to hand out treats to the students.
During the week of October 23-31, schools and organizations across the country joined in celebration of National Red Ribbon Week. This year's theme, Drug Free Looks Like Me, was created by Marin Wurst, a seventh grader at Solon Middle School in Solon, Ohio. The theme is a reminder that everyday Americans make significant daily contributions to their communities by being the best they can be because they live drug-free.
In keeping with tradition, Harlem Elementary School celebrated Red Ribbon Week in conjunction with Halloween festivities. Among the various activities, each day was assigned a specific theme in which both the students and staff participated. Monday's theme, "Follow your dreams, not drugs," encouraged everyone to wear pajamas. Each student also received Drug/Bully Free prism bracelets and ribbons with stickers and buttons to wear all week long.
Tuesday's theme, "It's no sweat to be drug and bully free," invited the school community to wear sweatshirts and sweat pants. Wednesday's motto, which stated, "Use your head, not drugs," saw many wearing hats as a way to celebrate. Then on Thursday, students and staff wore Wildcat jerseys/colors in order to "team up against drugs and bullying."
Finally, the last and most popular theme was Friday's, "Say Boo to drugs and bullying," as everyone wore fun and spooky costumes. Even the school administration and office team members got in on the dress-up, donning inflatable costumes that transformed them into Unicorn, Dino, and Baby Shark. The three greeted students as they arrived at school on October 29. Later in the day when each grade level participated in a Halloween costume parade, Harlem Elementary School Principal, Ms. Evelyn Bigby; Assistant Principal, Ms. Jessica Cochran; and counselors, Ms. Melody Sand and Ms. Ruth Stephenson distributed treats and glow sticks to the students.
To add some competitive energy to Red Ribbon Week, a tally was kept as to how many students participated in each daily activity. On Friday, these scores were counted, and the classroom with the best participation in each grade level earned a new basketball for their classroom.
About the Red Ribbon Week festivities, school spokesperson Janice Gilham said, "What a great way to send positive messages and brew up some Halloween fun to keep Harlem Elementary Drug and Bully Free!"
Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. It continues to serve as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.
