Red Ribbon Week - more than “dress up days”

Working to develop undeveloped minds is an occupation that definitely swings the pendulum from physically and emotionally draining to moments of hope, joy and laughter.

Red Ribbon Week 2019 is officially a wrap for my campus and thanks to a very STRONG urging from my principal last year I participated daily. I participated in every way but modified PJ day with a “comfy” dress representing my sorority. I figured it was an acceptable compromise since I was presenting campus PD to the staff that Friday.

While Red Ribbon Week is a time to bring awareness to the dangers of drug use, it is also a time associated with wild and wacky themed dress up days. I’ve seen some of everything and usually I just do like 1 day. But my previous principal and current mentor urged me to participate fully because it’s an opportunity for me to show a lighter, carefree side while fully engaging in maintaining and establishing campus culture. Students love it and so do staff. I must admit it was fun and I always LOVE the creative way the students represent! And oh my word....the costumes for Halloween on “scare away drugs day” were GREAT and there were no issues whatsoever!

So in my collage above don’t view it as simply my documentation of wear red day, nerd day, twin day (I forgot to take a picture but me and my AP counterpart and the guidance counselors), costume day for Halloween and pajama day, please see it as a campus administrator connecting with the students and staff she serves. Through the demands and that pesky pendulum I mentioned above, my school day persona doesn’t always present the best snapshot of the giddiness in my soul. But through campus wide events like Red Ribbon week, it allows a tiny peep into another side of my love for people.