Local schools will kick off annual Red Ribbon weeks
Schools throughout the Los Gatos area are observing Red Ribbon Weeks from Oct. 14 through Oct. 29, with a variety of special events designed to promote healthy lifestyles, responsible decisions and positive self-esteem among young people.
The Peckler Memorial Relay on Oct. 15, was an appropriate kick-off event, as its namesakes, Jim, Jill and Jeff Peckler, died when their car was hit by a drunken driver in the Lake Tahoe area nearly four years ago. Relay proceeds benefit Community Against Substance Abuse (CASA), A Place for Teens and the Teen & Family Counseling Center. All three are nonprofit organizations the Pecklers supported and whose missions reflect Red Ribbon Week goals.
On Oct. 20, Fisher, Club Live and CASA will host motivational speaker Norm Hull for a presentation titled "Making the Most of the Wonder Years." Hull's message to students is to get involved in safe activities, make accountable decisions and seize control of their lives to ensure their futures.
Club Live, an alternative social activities program for Fisher students, will hold a membership drive on Oct. 20, during the lunch period, that also includes music, balloons and prize give-aways. All students are invited to join the 400 members of Club Live by pledging to stay away from drugs and alcohol, and set goals and dreams for themselves. Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Captain Alana Forrest, DARE officer Layton Howard and canine unit officer Sam Wonnell and his partner Quarz will be on hand to visit with students.
Fisher is also joining other community schools participating in the CASA essay contest, the topic of which is to write a letter to one's parent or parents, explaining what students wish the parents knew about teenage drug and alcohol use.
On the elementary school level, all students will take home a publication called CASA Column II. This is an age-appropriate version of CASA Column, a prevention, education and information booklet published five times during the school year, and sent to all middle school and high school families. All elementary school students will receive free bracelets with the slogan "Drug Free--The Best of Me." Parents are also encouraged to point out the many red ribbons and banners hanging throughout the town during Red Ribbon Weeks to their young children, and use this as an opportunity to talk about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
Red Ribbon Week is a national drug awareness and prevention event, officially recognized by the U.S. Congress in 1988. Its genesis was the 1985 death of Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a U.S. Drug Enforcement agent murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico. In response to his death, angered Californians wore red ribbons to show their support for the war against drugs.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
