ALLEGANY, N.Y. — Students at Allegany-Limestone Elementary School learned about patriotism Thursday in honor of Flag Day as well as about the dangers of drugs throughout the week in recognition of Red Ribbon Week.
In commenting on Red Ribbon Week, Holly Keenan, fourth-grade math/science teacher, said she and other teachers have organized the event the past few years to ensure children are educated about the danger of drugs.
“Our goal is to help the students learn to make good decisions early and prevent drug use,” Keenan said. “Many drugs are purposely made to look and sound harmless, but are in reality very addictive or dangerous to the body.
“Because education is the best prevention, the elementary school made a week- ong event to teach the kids that they have the power to say no to drugs, how to take care of their bodies, nurture the right friendships and make good choices.”
Keenan said each day of the week had a theme. For example, she said Monday was “I Mustache you to not do drugs!”
“There were 520 kids in grades K through 5, teachers, and staff who wore colorful mustaches to bring the point home,” Keenan said, adding grades kindergarten through second grade had an assembly geared to very young kids,
She noted Tuesday’s theme was “Follow the WRITE Path and Say No to Drugs!”
“Each student received a pencil to support the day’s theme,” she remarked.
On Wednesday, bookmarks that carried the message, “Too smart to start!” were distributed, she continued.
Thursday, which was also Flag Day, was “Wear RED day!” and had outstanding participation by students, with the majority donning red shirts and clothing. The Flag Day ceremony, held outside at the flagpole in front of the school, had a number of community members visit and was facilitated by the Allegany American Legion Color Guard and a bagpiper. Grades three through five later attended an age appropriate assembly led by Rachel Linderman, community coordinator for the Council on Addiction Recovery Services in Olean.
Keenan said the school will wrap up activities today by treating grades three through five with the movie, “Big Hero Six” and popcorn in the air-conditioned cafeteria. She said the whole school was encouraged to wear a superhero T-shirt if they had one.
Principal Kim Moore said the entire week is another example of the elementary school staff “identifying areas to address that affect our youth, and then they are the ones that secure funding and organize the event.
“Our students love activities that are entertaining while also providing important messages,” Moore said.
