Take A Stand

Hold a school-wide assembly to address bullying. Have teachers and staff role-play different scenarios where bullying occurs. Reenact individuals standing up to bullies and supporting the person who is bullied. At the end of the assembly, ask all students to stand up and recite a pledge declaring that they will never bully. Hand out “Everyone Matters, Stand Against Bullying” Silicone Bracelets and Pencil Pouch Kits to students as they exit the assembly.

Positive Wavelengths

Get every classroom on the same wavelength and have teachers hold two special activities for students—one about bullying and one about drugs. One day during the week, have students participate in an activity during which they give each classmate a compliment. On another day, have them brainstorm positive activities they can do instead of using drugs, such as playing board games or shooting hoops. Give all teachers “Good Vibes Only: No Bullies, No Drugs” Sunglasses and Bookmarks to pass out to students.

Here, There, Everywhere

Send the message that showing good character, making good decisions, and staying drug free are characteristics students should take wherever they go. Have the school librarian offer readings of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss to students and then remind students that they can go many places and achieve many things if they stay drug free, make good choices, and show good character. The librarian can hand out “Good Character, Good Choices: Drug Free” Water Bottles and “Good Character, Good Choices: Drug Free” Drawstring Backpacks With Handles to students so they can take these important messages on the go.

Easy Peasy

Include in your Red Ribbon Week observances simple yet fun activities that get students excited about being drug free. Put students’ names in a drawing and, several times a day, pull some names out of the hat. Give winners a scratch-off card from the 20-Piece Scratch And Win Pack and then the corresponding gifts.

All Hands On Deck

Tap into students’ creativity by getting their help with making decorations for Red Ribbon Week. Have students in each classroom trace their hands on red construction paper. Then, they can write a message on the cutout about what it means to be strong, be kind, or be drug free. Use the hand cutouts to decorate hallways throughout your school. Let students choose a participation prize from the “Stay Strong, Stay Kind, Stay Drug Free” 300-Piece Theme Kit

The "Write" Words

Challenge students to write their best poems about making smart decisions, showing good character, and being drug free. Hand out “Good Character, Good Choices: Drug Free” or “Stay Strong, Stay Drug Free” Sparkle Foil Pencils to all students at the beginning of the week after you announce the competition. At the end of the week, read the winning poems over the morning announcements.

Being Drug Free Is A No-Brainer

Let kids know that getting good grades isn’t the only way to use their brains; they can use their smarts to make good decisions, like committing to stay drug free. Each day on the morning announcements, remind students to use their brains in healthy ways. Then, encourage them to stop into the principal’s office and share their ideas on how to be smart about life choices. Give each student who does so a Sticker from the “Smart Minds, Smart Choices, Drug Free” Sticker On A Roll or “Smarties® Choose To Be Drug Free” Treat Pack.

Squash Drugs

Play off October-related events and activities one day during Red Ribbon Week. At the start of the week, hold a pumpkin-decorating contest for each classroom. (A local farm may be willing to donate some pumpkins for the cause.) Provide each classroom with red materials, like paints, ribbons, and sequins to decorate the pumpkins. Put the winning pumpkins on display in the school lobby or cafeteria. Then, have all students and staff wear “Say BOO To Drugs” T-Shirts the day before Halloween to get into the festive spirit.