From October 23-31 during Red Ribbon Week, the oldest drug prevention campaign in the nation, students and staff throughout the division will engage in activities that promote a drug-free and healthy lifestyle following this year’s theme: Life Is Your Journey. Travel Drug Free.
Elementary school students will wear sports jerseys to “Team Up Against Drugs,” dress up as their favorite story character because they would “Rather Read A Book Than Do Drugs,” and participate in other creative ways to celebrate a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
More than 4,000 secondary school students will participate in a collective discussion about substance abuse prevention and will be invited to make a pledge to grow up safe, healthy, and drug-free. And, more than 400 school counselors, teachers, and student support team members will engage students in activities to help build a healthy school climate. Students will also be learning about the effects of drugs and alcohol through hands-on, interactive activities including wearing impairment goggles.
How can you help your students on their drug-free journey?
- Participate in school spirit days scheduled during Red Ribbon Week
- Explore these educational activities for your classroom during Red Ribbon Week
- Encourage your students to participate in the ACPS Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest. Help them develop their own message that promotes a drug-free lifestyle or celebrates healthy decision-making! Entries must be submitted to the ACPS FACE Center, 1340 Braddock Place, 5th Floor by November 8.
ACPS Red Ribbon Week is coordinated by the ACPS FACE Center and the Department of Student Services in partnership with Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA), Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) and Inova Hospital.
It’s part of ACPS’ commitment to our health and wellness goal that ACPS will promote efforts to enable students to be healthy and ready to learn.
Learn more about ACPS Red Ribbon Week activities
- Learn more about ACPS Red Ribbon Week activities.
- Learn how ACPS is responding to student needs around substance abuse through our K-12 Substance Abuse Prevention and Educational Intervention Services
For more information, please contact K-12 Substance Abuse Prevention & Intervention Services Coordinator Fredy Martinez at fredy.martinez@acps.k12.va.us.