Story by Janmarie Foschini

      Students at the Greenwood Lake Elementary and Middle Schools recognized Red Ribbon Week from Mon., Oct. 22 to Fri., Oct. 26. The purpose of Red Ribbon Week is to focus on making healthy choices and raising awareness of the importance of being drug and alcohol free. Both the Elementary and Middle Schools participated with appropriate themes for each school.

      The Elementary School students participated in “themed” days throughout the week. Students kicked off the week with “Hats off to Healthy Habits,” as children and staff wore their favorite hat to school. Students discussed healthy habits such as eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking lots of water, getting plenty of exercise every day, and going to bed on time so their body gets the rest it needs. Other themes included pajama day with the theme, “Put Unhealthy Habits to Bed.”

      Elementary School Principal Dianne Connolly, along with staff and students, had a wonderful week focusing on healthy choices and dressing in different themes throughout the week.

      Connolly said, “Although Red Ribbon Week is celebrated nationally in order to heighten awareness about the importance of being drug and alcohol free, our focus at the elementary school was on making healthy lifestyle choices as well as showing respect to ourselves and others. We started each day with a morning announcement that linked our daily themes to the important messages we wanted our students to learn. Helping children establish good habits at a young age is crucial in our efforts to prevent substance abuse in later years and we were thrilled to support this event in collaboration with the G.L. Coalition and the G.L. Public Library.”

      Students and staff at the G.L. Middle School enjoyed a week of themes as well. The week began with students signing pledges to lead a drug free life, followed by decorating classroom doors. National Junior Honor Society students, Principal Golubchick, and Guidance Counselor Melanie Seay represented the district at the kick-off of Red Ribbon Week in Pine Bush, NY. Students participated in activities related to living a healthy life. Students from across the county were there participating in this event.

      Themes and activities for the week included “Band Together Against Drugs” with students and staff wearing bandanas. Writing and Social Studies teachers had conversations with students on making healthy choices, avoiding drugs, and talked about Red Ribbon Week. Students then created posters inspired by their discussions.

      In speaking with Principal Golubchick, he said, “We had such an eventful Red Ribbon Week at Greenwood Lake Middle School. As always, it was a pleasure working with our NJHS faculty advisors. This year’s advisors, Allison Chapman and Tori Rasmason, worked with our students on NJHS to make the week so meaningful and purposeful. At our October faculty meeting, the students presented the week to our staff. Each day saw a different theme and our teachers had very thoughtful conversations with the students throughout the week. Ms. Seay and I had a great experience attending the kick-off ceremony of Red Ribbon Week in Pine Bush with our NJHS students, all of whom were the perfect student representatives for our district. Thank you to our entire MS community for ensuring the week was so successful.”

G.L. students took a pledge to make healthy choices & be drug free. Shown here is a decorated classroom door designed to raise awareness of making healthy choices. . Photo credit: Warwick Valley Dispatch/Janmarie Foschini