Throughout the district, administration, faculty and students demonstrated the importance of a healthy mind and body and making positive choices during participation in the  annual Red Ribbon Week, held on Oct. 28-Nov. 1. Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest annual drug awareness campaign and one that teaches students how to develop positive, healthy habits early in life.   

In addition to wearing red clothing and bracelets showing support for the program, elementary and secondary students participated in an array of activities in keeping with the program’s goals. On the elementary level, students wore team jerseys to “Team Up” against drugs, crazy hats to “Put a Lid” on drugs, mixed up socks to “sock it” to drugs, crazy hair to “use your head” and not use drugs and pajamas to put drugs “to sleep.” 

Middle School students heard anti-drug slogans during the morning and afternoon announcements. There were also physical education and health classes which focused on drugs, alcohol and healthy choices, as well as a poster contest during health classes.  

The district held an evening workshop on the dangers of vaping called “The Truth About Vaping and E-Cigarettes” by Supervising Public Health Educator John T. Martin, followed by Narcan training presented by Sgt Sean Cassidy of the New York Army National Guard Counter Drug Task Force.
 
Bellport High School students signed pledge sheets in their English language arts classes and attended AA presentations in health class. Social worker Lynette Murphy also sponsored for all seniors The Red Watch Band Program, a comprehensive bystander intervention program designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and awareness to prevent death from toxic drinking.