Submitted by Denair Unified School District
Next week is Red Ribbon Week at schools across the country. Red Ribbon Week began in 1980 as a way to discourage drug use among children while promoting healthy behaviors. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan was one of the original proponents.
The campuses in the Denair Unified School District have a number of events planned starting Monday. All are being coordinated by staff as well as student members of the PHAST (Protecting Health and Slamming Tobacco) Clubs. The theme is “Life is Your Journey: Travel Drug-Free.”
Last year, Denair High finished second in Stanislaus County in the contest for best decorated campus. “We are hoping for first place this year,” said adviser Melissa Treadwell.
Denair High School
- Monday: Crash scene. There will be a wrecked car on the grass near the student store unveiled about 8:40 a.m. The car will be an example of what can happen if people drink and drive, text and drive or are under the influence of drugs and drive. The car (donated for free from Myers Towing) will be there all week as a reminder to students. There also will be games for students to play.
- Tuesday: “Drunk Goggles,” where students try to walk a straight line while wearing goggles that simulate impairment. Fire hose game, where students partner up to use an actual fire hose to knock down cones. Firefighters will be on hand. A selfie station where students can take photos in front of a themed backdrop and with Cosmo the Coyote. A “Dunk Drugs” game where students can try to dunk staff members in a water tank. Special Red Ribbon menu choice at the cafeteria.
- Pinko Game (a drug education board).
- Thursday: Educational props and materials. The “Drunk Goggles” experiment will be repeated.
- Friday: A prize wheel where students can win cool stuff.
Denair Middle School
- Monday: PJ Day. Students can wear pajamas to school. The theme is “Reach for Your Dreams, Don’t Let Drugs Get in Your Way.”
- Tuesday: Sports Day. Students can wear their favorite team’s jersey. The theme is “Team up Against Drugs.”
- Wednesday: Beach/Hawaiian Day. Students can wear their favorite beach clothing (no bathing suits, but flip flops are OK). The theme is “Catch the Drug-Free Wave.”
- Thursday: Color Day. Each grade level and staff has a color: sixth-graders (white), seventh-graders (orange), eighth-graders (yellow) and staff (purple).
- Friday: Backwards Day. Students can wear their clothing backward. The theme is “Turn Your Back on Drugs.”
Denair Elementary Charter Academy
- Monday: “Red instead (of drugs)!” All students are encouraged to wear red.
- Tuesday: “We’re crazy about being drug-free!” Students are encouraged to wear crazy socks or do their hair in a crazy style.
- Wednesday: “Put a cap on drugs!” Students can wear their favorite hat.
- Thursday: “Team up against drugs!” Students can wear their favorite team or sports uniform.
- Friday: “Put drugs to rest!” Students can wear pajamas to school.
Denair Charter Academy
- Monday: Pajama Day. Students can wear pajamas to school.
- Tuesday: Disney Day. Students can dress up as their favorite Disney character.
- Wednesday: Sports Jersey Day. Students can wear their favorite team’s jersey.
- Thursday: Fandom Day.
- Friday: Wear Red Day.
Denair Unified District Office
- Monday: “Red instead (of drugs)!” All employees are encouraged to wear red.
- Tuesday: “We’re crazy about being drug-free!” Employees are encouraged to wear crazy socks or do their hair in a crazy style.
- Wednesday: “Put a cap on drugs!” Employees can wear their favorite hat.
- Thursday: “Team up against drugs!” Employees can wear their favorite team or sports uniform.
- Friday: “Put drugs to rest!” Employees can wear pajamas to work.
