TAVARES – Lake County Schools invites the community to join us in taking a visible stand against drugs by celebrating Red Ribbon Week from October 23-31.
Each year, the school district recognizes the campaign with a resolution. This year’s resolution was accepted by the School Board on September 23.
“The Lake County School Board does hereby proclaim October 23-31, 2024, as Red Ribbon Campaign Week and encourages its citizens to participate in drug prevention education activities, making a visible statement that we are strongly committed to a drug-free state,” it reads in part.
Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs facing communities. It encourages parents, educators, business owners and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles. It is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the nation, and an opportunity for families to start or continue conversations about living drug-free.
Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42 percent less likely to use drugs than those who don’t, according to the Red Ribbon Campaign®, yet only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.
This year’s theme is “Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free.”
Schools are celebrating in a variety of ways including dress-up days throughout the week. Some examples include:
"Walk the Red Carpet" Day at Lost Lake Elementary, when students will wear red.
"Team Up Against Drugs" Day at Groveland Elementary, when students will wear team sports shirts or jerseys
"We're Too Bright for Drugs" Day at Cypress Ridge Elementary, when students will wear sunglasses
"Sock it to Drugs" Day at Rimes Early Learning and Literacy Center, when students will wear crazy socks
Other activities include the following:
A special presentation from MADD (Mothers Against Driving Drunk) is planned for Eustis High, where students have created posters that will be displayed on both campuses.
Leesburg Elementary is showing Red Ribbon Week videos with age-appropriate messaging about being safe and healthy.
Tavares Middle is sharing facts about the dangers of drugs during morning announcements.
Lake Minneola High is “shutting the door on drugs” with a door decorating contest.
The first official Red Ribbon Week celebration was created by the National Family Partnership in 1988. NFP continues to coordinate the campaign for families, schools and communities across the nation each year.