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News ::..
Red Ribbon Week Activities Held (10-23-2009)
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At its October meeting, the School Board passed a resolution declaring October 26-30, 2009, to be “Red Ribbon Week,” encouraging schools to take part in the nationally-recognized event presenting a unified and visible commitment towards creating a Drug Free America.
The theme for Red Ribbon Week this year was “Be Smart, Be Safe, Be You.”
Cheryl Arabie, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, told the School Board that Red Ribbon Week is an ideal way for the schools to show the community their stand against drug abuse. “During Red Ribbon Week each school holds exciting activities and programs,” Mrs. Arabie stated. “The week gives our students an opportunity to show their personal commitment to a drug-free lifestyle through the symbol of the Red Ribbon.”
Throughout the parish, students and staff wore Red Ribbons during the week to show their support of the event.
Kindergarten and first grade students at Marigny Elementary School in Mandeville were delighted when on the second day of Red Ribbon Week, a Drug Enforcement Agency helicopter landed at their campus. The agency takes part in a number of Red Ribbon Week activities at St. Tammany Parish schools. Each class was able to take a close up look at the Bell 407 helicopter and have their photograph taken in front of it.
At Covington Elementary School, the annual Just Say No Club parade and rally took place Friday morning with a large turnout from several schools and several law enforcement agencies. It was largest group ever assembled for one of the Red Ribbon Week events, said Laurie Caserta of Covington Elementary.
Two helicopters landed on Pitcher Junior High Field, one from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and the other from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. David Graham from Customs spoke to students in attendance from Covington Elementary, Lyon Elementary, Pine View Middle School and St. Peter’s School, telling them the importance of obeying the rules, having integrity and working hard in school.
In addition, parked around the football field were over a dozen vehicles used in drug law enforcement from the Sheriff’s Office, Covington Police Department, ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms), National Guard, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, including boats, armored humvees, and a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) van. Special displays included K-9 units and the Sheriff’s Office robot used for the remote handling of hazardous materials.
The School Board resolution also expressed gratitude to the community volunteer organization Amplified Resources for its involvement in providing leadership in teaching young people about the life altering consequences associated with drugs and alcohol. The group, formerly known as PRIDE, helps raise awareness of the problem and teach drug abuse education classes to parents and students.
Red Ribbon Week was established in 1988 to honor the memory of a drug enforcement agent who was killed in the line of duty.
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