Long Beach Goes Bully Free for Red Ribbon Week

Elementary School students throughout the Long Beach School District and the nation participated in activities and lessons focusing on Red Ribbon Week throughout the week of Oct 27.

East, Lido, Lindell, and West schools all featured themes based on healthy and positive life choices.

East School started the week with a patriotic health walk, during which the outside of the building was lined with American flags and many children wore red, white and blue. During the next few days, students attended an assembly titled, “The Power of One,” brought their own healthy snacks to school, attended a health fair and signed handprints as a pledge to make healthy decisions. The hand cutouts were made into an American flag, which will be displayed in the cafeteria to remind students of the week’s significance.

Lido School students placed wishes in a “Red Ribbon Wish Box.” Many wished for world peace, safe schools and taking care of the environment. Clothing themes were among the week’s highlights, with students wearing peace sign or tie-dyed clothing representative of a peaceful community, green attire promoting recycling and respecting the Earth and silly socks as a way to “stomp out” name-calling. Children also brought healthy snacks to acknowledge good nutrition.

Lindell School presented the theme, “We’re too smart, our bodies are a work of art.” Students drew pictures of themselves participating in healthy activities, brought healthy snacks and dressed throughout the week based on certain messages. They wore the colors of their favorite fruits or vegetables, donned their finest attire to feel their best inside and out, sported headwear representing “hats off to healthy choices” and even came to school in pajamas indicating the importance of getting adequate rest. Students watched “The Power of One” assembly, as well as several videos focusing on staying drug-free.

West School’s Red Ribbon Week kicked off with a rally during which the theme, “I have an appetite for healthy choices,” was introduced. Students displayed flags and wore their super hero/athlete shirts as they watched a video about being heroes, presented songs, poems and essays about making good decisions and marched while chanting positive messages. The week brought several unique styles, with sunglasses signifying bright futures, creative hats and hairstyles conveying that, “I use my head to make smart choices,” impressive fashions setting the stage for success, and intentionally mismatched clothing items representing “mixed up healthy choices.”