Red Ribbon Week celebrated at PES
Students at Peabody Elementary School celebrated Red Ribbon Week Oct. 25-29. Red Ribbon Week is celebrated throughout the nation as a week to promote healthy, drug-free youth through prevention and education.
This year the activities for the students focused around the dangers of underage smoking including possible long-term effects. Students watched videos and discussed smoking and the consequences. Some classes were able to see a lung from a pig that was designed to resemble a lung from a smoker of 20 years. Members of Family, Consumer, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) at Peabody-Burns High School visited the classrooms with lessons and a poster contest for students in grades four through six.
The week began Monday with a Smoking Jeopardy Game. Annette Weems, Kathy Preheim, and Louise Whiteman, teachers at PES, worked to successfully answer questions about the harmful effects of smoking. Each day throughout the week was set up to keep students thinking about Red Ribbon Week.
Monday was "Too Cool to Smoke Day" and students wore sunglasses. Tuesday was "Team Up to Stop Smoking Day" and students wore a favorite team shirt. Wednesday was "Hats Off to a Smoke Free World" and hats were worn. "Sock It To Smoking Day" was Thursday and students wore crazy socks. Friday was "Red Ribbon Day" and people wore red.
The final event of the week was a red balloon launch. Balloons with messages from all the students were launched into the air.
The week was made a success by help and donations from PES, Parent-Teacher Organization, Marion County Substance Abuse Committee, Farmers Grain Co-Op, FCCLA, Paula Schroeder, and many others.
