Red Ribbon Week is an annual event that takes place from October 23 to 31, emphasizing the importance of living a drug-free life. It offers an opportunity for schools, families and communities to engage in discussions about drug awareness and the importance of making good choices.
The Student Council planned a variety of activities to help students think about the significance of making positive choices in their lives. The theme for Red Ribbon Week in 2023 is “Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug Free.” Throughout the week, students are encouraged to reflect on making choices that promote happiness and health — this is the essence of being kind to our minds.
As we reflect on Clairbourn’s code of ethics, we think about how to demonstrate kindness to all, including ourselves! Being kind to one’s own mind involves not only speaking kindly to oneself but also practicing self-care, including maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, adhering to good hygiene practices, and exercising caution around drugs. Students learn how to pay attention to prescription drugs and to confidently say “no” under peer pressure, never allowing anyone to force or persuade them into dangerous actions.
Students from all grade levels connected with each other through a buddy activity in which they created origami hearts and wrote kind notes to themselves and each other. It serves as a reminder about the importance of making positive choices and practicing self-care.
It warms our hearts to see some of the students’ notes: “Believe in yourself,” “I am enough,” “I will succeed today,” “Always respect yourself,” “I am me,” “Think positive!,” “You are loved,” “Be yourself,” “You are unique,” “Trust yourself,” “I am loved,” “I am worthy,” “I am blessed,” “Always be grateful,” “I love myself,” “I am perfect the way I am,” and many more.
Thank you, everyone, for making a pledge and signing the school poster together as a community to demonstrate your commitment to being kind to your minds, striving to be your best, resisting drugs, showing empathy, standing up against wrong behaviors, seeking guidance from trusted adults about unsafe situations or dealing with potentially harmful people, and consistently making positive choices!