Students at all the Wawasee Community elementary schools are celebrating a week of drug prevention during the annual Red Ribbon Week. Pictured from left are Syracuse Elementary School students Gavin Malone, Jackson Charles, Nondus Brown and Kyla Baldwin. The students made targets to represent their drug free goals. (Photo by Chelsea Los)

By CHELSEA LOS, SANDY GREER and MARTHA STOELTING
Staff Writers

SYRACUSE — Elementary students in the Wawasee Community Schools are enjoying a busy week of learning the best methods for staying drug free now and always.

Students at North Webster, Milford and Syracuse elementary schools will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week with dress up days, coloring and writing activities and lessons from teachers. Since 1980, Red Ribbon Week’s mission has been to lead and support the nation’s families and communities in nurturing the full potential of healthy, drug free youth.

“There are many factors that influence kids in 2015. Red Ribbon Week continues to be one of the positive influences on kids,” said Syracuse Elementary School Principal Eric Speicher.

SES students kicked off the week on Monday, Oct. 19, with a day of crazy socks and a short write up titled “Drugs will be a problem until…,” which prompts kids to ponder solutions on their own. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, students created a poster titled “On target to be drug free,” and each student created an arrow with a statement about his plans to be drug free. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, students placed their arrows on the target poster and wore red to support the cause.

Students, faculty and staff at North Webster Elementary School celebrated their Red Ribbon Week the three days before Fall Break, Thursday, Oct. 22.

Monday, Oct. 19, was “My future is too bright to do drugs” day at NWES and was signified by everyone wearing brightly colored clothing.

“We’re crazy about being drug free” was the theme for Tuesday, Oct. 20. Crazy hairdos will be worn.

It was casual Wednesday, Oct. 21, to illustrate “Living drug free is no sweat.”

Milford School is celebrating Red Ribbon Week beginning Oct. 19 through Friday, Oct. 30.

Monday, Oct. 19, door decorating began prior to Fall Break to prepare for the following Red Ribbon Week. Students in middle school will collaborate to design a door cover with the message, “Drug Free is for Me.” Elementary classes will open their doors reminding them to be kind to others.

Themed days and activities will keep staff and students engaged beginning Tuesday, Oct.27, with the theme “I’m jean-ious, I don’t do drugs.” Students can wear their favorite jeans or a throwback to past styles.

“Stay on the Drug Free Team,” or favorite team jersey day is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Those wearing jeans or jerseys will have their names entered into a drawing for a prize.

Thursday is “Act of Kindness Day.” Each student will receive a voucher with space for three adult signatures that catches the student doing a kind act. Teachers  will collect the vouchers at the end of the day and student council will collect vouchers with all three spaces signed. Those slips will be put in a box for a prize drawing.

Red Ribbon Week will end Friday, Oct. 30, with “Wear Red Day” for another prize drawing. Winners of the door decorating contest will also celebrate with a special pizza party during lunch.

The Papers has been a sponsor of red Ribbon Week for many years, donating $100 to the Drug Awareness Program and totaling $6,800 to the program. The Papers also distributes coloring books to local preschools, elementary schools and daycare centers.