Counselor’s Chronicle
Straus Middle School
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week
Local celebrations began in California, where Camarena grew up, in 1985. In 1988 the National Family Partnership started the first National Red Ribbon Week. As a tribute to Camarena, high school friends Henry Lozano and Congressman Duncan Hunter, created “Camarena Clubs” and started wearing red ribbons to show their oppositions to drugs.
During Red Ribbon Week, students will receive red ribbon tattoos during lunch and there will be themed days to bring about awareness of the harmful affects of drugs.
OCTOBER 26-30
Important Dates
Important Dates
Counselor Pop Up(Bully Prevention)-October 16th
Guidance Window #2 Begins-October 19-November 6
Fall Fest-October 28th
Red Ribbon Week-October 26-October 30
Counselor Pop Up (RRW Tattoos)-October 28th
Student Holiday-November 3rd
Veteran's Day-November 11th
Guidance Greatness
Peer Pressure and Drug Awareness
All guidance lessons will focus on personal health and wellness. The students will understand that they can promote their personal wellness by making healthy choices rather than using drugs or vapes.
8th Grade
Counselors will be talking to students about the dangers of vaping. Students will learn about how vaping can be harmful to the lungs and how nicotine can be addictive. Our eighth graders will use this information to create a anti-drug poster to be displayed in a slide presentation during Red Ribbon Week. Prizes will be given to the most creative posters!7th Grade
Seventh grade guidance will focus on how drugs can affect their body. They will have an opportunity to explore how making unhealthy choices affects them and how it impacts different parts of their body.
6th Grade
Sixth graders will be learning how to deal with peer pressure. Students will learn different strategies for managing peer pressure and apply the strategies to different scenarios.
Parent Pointers
8 Reasons Why Kids Try Drugs
It is important to have conversations with your child about the risks involved- in using drugs and how they can be harmful to them. According to Natural High, there are 8 reasons why kids turn to drugs. It is one of the highly researched questions by parents.
Here’s are some of the reasons they identified but you can read the full article here.
Reason #1: They’re Not That Smart (Yet)Reason #2: Thirst for Dopamine
Reason #3: Need for Acceptance
Reason #4: Confused Social Norms
Reason #5: To Feel Adult-ish
Reason #6: Curiosity
Reason #7: Escape
Reason #8: Boredom
Below are some resources and links on to how to have the conversation with your child about vaping.
Talking to Youth and Young Adults to Prevent E-Cigarette Use
Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month
Services
Did you know?
Self-Care Corner
Self Care Corner
If you broke your leg or came down with the flu, would you try to brush it off and deny yourself treatment? Of course not! Most of us would go to the doctor or treat minor injuries as they happen. Emotional and mental health, as well as everyday physical health practices, are just as important. Self-care is a great way for parents to make sure their own needs are being met. You can't care for others if you don't take care of yourself!
