A Special Red Ribbon Week
For years Tigard High has participated in Red Ribbon Week. This year was different. This year was a celebration! Tigard High received Red Ribbon certification for the 2011–2014 school years. The Red Ribbon Certified Schools (RRCS) program, sponsored by the National Family Partnership and Informed Families/The Florida Family
Partnership, is the largest universal prevention campaign in the nation. The program assesses and celebrates the successful efforts of schools in the prevention of substance abuse among youth. Since 2005, over 50 schools nationwide have received the honor of Red Ribbon certification. Tigard High was only one of ten schools awarded this distinguished achievement this year!
To apply for the certification, Tigard Turns the Tide formed a school team: TTT Program Director Connie Ramaekers, STUD President Katie Gentry, Principal Mark Neffendorf, Associate Principal Barb Proctor, and TTT Board Members Susan Stark Haydon, Connie Jolley and Jan Kittelson. The Center for Prevention Research at Florida State University assessed Tigard High’s performance in four areas: school environment, best practices in education, parent engagement and substance abuse prevention activities. This award celebrates our success in these four areas.
What does this mean for our community? It means that we are striving to keep children safe, healthy and drug-free by engaging parents, focusing on education and holding year-round substance abuse prevention events, such as the Annual Red Ribbon campaign. Red Ribbon Week, celebrated in over 120,000 schools nationwide, educates millions of people across America.
The Flag Raising Ceremony Started Off a Week of Celebration
From now on, the RRCS flag will be flying in front of Tigard High, signifying our certification status and our commitment to the community. On October 21st, the STUD Club and members of the Tigard community joined Mayor Craig Dirksen, Superintendent Rob Saxton, Principal Mark Neffendorf, Associate Principal Barb Proctor, and Captain Jim de Sully in raising the flag. It takes a community to raise drug-free kids, and our commitment is the key!
During the Red Ribbon Flag Raising Ceremony members of the Red Ribbon Certified Schools Team were presented with certificates. From left to right: Jan Kittelson, Barb Proctor, Katie Gentry, Connie Ramaekers, Connie Jolley, Susan Stark Haydon, Mark Neffendorf.
Other Events
STUD members were involved in other activities during the week. At a school assembly on October 17th, STUD President Katie Gentry presented the Red Ribbon Certification plaque to Principal Mark Neffendorf. During the week, STUD members recruited other students to pledge their support in staying drug- and alcohol-free. Students were asked to sign a contract and put their painted hand print on this year’s Red Ribbon mural. STUD members also had a float in the Homecoming Parade.
Visit www.RedRibbonSchools.org to find out more about this certification.
Tigard High is now Red Ribbon certified! Due to STUD’s commitment to improving school environment, parent engagement and academic performance, Tigard High School was awarded the Red Ribbon Certification for 2011-2014!
To help keep potentially dangerous drugs out of kids’ hands, the Tigard Police Dept. hosts Prescription Drug Turn-Ins twice a year. Unwanted prescription and non-prescription medications are collected for safe disposal. Next event is on April 28th.
US DEA Take Back Initiative