Schools throughout the Rockwood School District are finding ways to celebrate Red Ribbon Week, which is Oct. 25- 29.
According to the Rockwood School District website, Crestview Middle School and Rockwood Summit High School students get to “smash out drugs” by smashing donated vehicles with sledge hammers. Also, students at Uthoff Valley Elementary School get a chance to wear fatal vision goggles to simulate the effects of being under the influence.
Other elementary and middle schools are also celebrating the week with special dress-up days and speakers.
In previous years, the Caring School Council planned and carried out Red Ribbon Week activities at Lafayette, but that group no longer exists.
Sophomore, Marissa DeAntoni only knew it was Red Ribbon Week because she heard about it from a friend.
DeAntoni thinks the high school should promote Red Ribbon Week. “We should do something. It’s stupid to not do anything, because drugs are more prominent in high school, rather than in elementary school and middle school.”
St. Louis County Police Officer Oliver Helbig said in high school, Red Ribbon Week is addressed in a more serious manner than it is in elementary school and middle school. Rather than having crazy dress-up days, LHS has STAR meetings, along with events such as the Drunk-u-Drama.
Associate Principal Renee Trotier agrees. “We look at prevention in another way. They [middle schools and elementary schools] are looking at awareness; our approach is a little bit more specific,” Trotier said.
