IT TAKES A WHOLE COMMUNITY TO BUILD A WALL AGAINST DRUGS FOR OUR KIDS

1. IT TAKES A WHOLE COMMUNITY TO BUILD A WALL AGAINST DRUGS FOR OUR KIDS BUSH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DRUG FREE ACTIVITIES OCTOBER 2003

2. THE WALL AGAINST DRUGS • The theme of the month is based on the idea that all of us, students, teachers, parents and community need to unite to “wall” drugs out of the community and build a safety “wall” around our students. • The wall is constructed of awareness and education. • The wall is constructed of community support. • The wall is constructed of resolve. • We must resolve to stay drug free and support our children in making drug free life choices.

3. THE RED RIBBON WALLA WALL OF RESOLVE • The activity for Week #1 was to build a red ribbon “wall” on the fence at the entrance to the school. • The “wall” is visible to the community, to parents and students as they come to school each day. • The ribbon wall serves as a reminder that we are all part of the defense against drugs for our kids.

4. PREPARING FOR THE RED RIBBON WALL • Each student received a red ribbon about 12 inches long. • Each student wrote his/her name on the ribbon using a Sharpie Pens provided by the PTO. • Each class chose a time to tie the ribbons on the fence on the Parkway Plaza side of the building. • A printed banner marked the area where the Ribbon Wall was to be built.

5. CREATING THE RED RIBBON WALL • Each student looped the ribbon around a wire in the metal fence and tied a knot at the mid point of the ribbon. • Both ends of the ribbon were pulled to the outside of the fence. • Each class tied ribbons in the same area so that there was a ‘territory” or region for each class. Kindergarten classes started down low. Fifth grade tied near the top.

6. MENDING THE RED RIBBON WALL • Oops! The best laid plans often go awry! Some of the ribbons “strayed” away from the assigned area! • Several PTO volunteers retied the ribbons to make the wall look solid!

7. THE INDOOR WALL PTO Volunteers also created an indoor wall against drugs located at the front hall of the school.

8. A WALL OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT • During the second week, the students concentrated on reaching out to the community for support. • On Tuesday, October 7, each class was assigned a business or organization in the Bush area. • One student in the class, or a group of students, volunteered to deliver a brick tied with a red bow to the community member. • The class representative asked the neighbor to display the brick for the remainder of the month as a sign that they support our kids in the effort to make good choices and stay drug free.

9. PREPARING FOR DELIVERY Before the list of business owners was distributed to the classes, the principal and the school secretary visited each one to explain the program.

10. CREATING THE DELIVERY CREW! • On Wednesday, October 8, the Pawprints informed parents of the project to deliver bricks to the area businesses. • Parents were urged to give their children permission to volunteer to be the delivery person for the class. • On Thursday, teachers chose a “brick delivery person.” Each student received a letter of explanation to take home.

11. BRICK COURIERS

12. SPECIAL DELIVERIES Bush students had a great time making brick deliveries to our neighborhood businesses! Professional Cleaners Kroger

13. A WALL OF EDUCATION • Students will receive red arm bands and will pledge to wear the bands until October 23. • During Week #3, fifth graders participating in the DARE program, will write statements about staying drug free. • The students will read their statements as part of the morning announcements.

14. THOUGHTS ON DRUG AWARENESS Written by Bush 5th Grade DARE Students Someday, a person you consider a friend may offer you drugs. Offer your friends a hug, not a drug. Resist drugs because your dreams won't take flight if you give up the fight. DARE to dream. One thousand two hundred people die each day from tobacco related illnesses. This is only one of the reasons why tobacco is wacko. Take your own advice about being drug free. DARE to be yourself. Allowing yourself to be turned on to drugs is a sure way to turn the lights out on your future.

15. WATERPROOF BANDS Paw Prints excerpt: “On Thursday, the students will be given a red armband. We hope that they will wear the band a whole week! Yes, the bands are waterproof, so, they can still bathe! Don’t fall for that one!”

16. BAND TOGETHER AGAINST DRUGS

17. Reaching for the STARS! …not drugs

18. A WALL OF AWARENESS • Week #4 emphasized parental involvement. The school held a Book Fair and Italian Supper. Parents were invited to come to school as a family to eat and enjoy the fun. • Students wore red shirts to school on Thursday, October 23. Parents, family members, and guests were invited to participate by wearing red to the Italian Supper. • During the night activities, each family helped build a “wall” against drugs in the hallway of the school. Paper bricks were available. Each family wrote a drug free slogan and/or their name on a brick and added it to the wall.

19. ITALIAN SUPPER--IN THE RED!

20. BE A PART OF THE WALL AGAINST DRUGS

21. BE A PART OF THE WALL AGAINST DRUGS

22. FAMILIES AGAINST DRUGS

23. IT TAKES A WHOLE COMMUNITY TO BUILD A WALL AGAINST DRUGS FOR OUR KIDS! AWARENESS EDUCATION RESOLVE TOGETHER, WE CAN!