Drug Prevention Outreach Goes Districtwide for Red Ribbon Week in Katonah-Lewisboro Schools

From the Katonah-Lewisboro school district

From red ribbons on the school buses, to special activities throughout the week to highlight drug and alcohol prevention, Red Ribbon Week was a district wide initiative in Katonah-Lewisboro from Oct. 27 to 31.

“The red ribbons on the buses was just one way we thought we could bring the community together,” explained John Jay Middle and High School Social Worker Kiri Ryan. “We also started handing out red ribbons and stickers to the elementary kids, provided by the Bedford-Lewisboro-Pound Ridge Drug Abuse Council.”

Teachers in the elementary schools also spoke with students about making healthy choices. At the middle and high school levels, social workers worked more intimately with students to discuss the dangers of drug and alcohol.

“I think the most powerful thing is, at the middle school and the high school, we create a ‘Reality Wall,’” Ryan added.

Each student and faculty member completed a “brick” to contribute to the wall, with a personal experience or community experience that relates to the consequences of drug and alcohol use.

Eighth-grader Andreya, who is a member of the Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) Club at JJMS, said it’s important for students to understand the negative affects of abusing alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.

“I personally think it’s bad because you can seriously hurt other people,” she said. “It’s just not good for you and you can die easily from it.”

At the end of the week, the middle and high schools unveiled their completed Reality Walls, full of anonymous student and teacher contributions.

“I think it’s important for the students to understand how their decisions impact their lives and impact the lives of others,” said Tina Russo, the middle school’s S.A.D.D. club advisor.

For more information about the KLSD’s 2014 Red Ribbon Week, view a video on the district website.

Photo Caption: John Jay Middle School S.A.D.D. Club members Andreya Pastrana, Ariella Mendez, advisor Tina Russo, Amelia Egeler, Emma Hinkley and Melanie Kardos pose in front of the school’s Red Ribbon Week Reality Wall/Courtesy of the Katonah-Lewisboro School District