Malverne celebrates Red Ribbon Week

To kick off Red Ribbon Week, the students and staff at Davison Avenue Intermediate School in the Malverne School District wore red clothing and donned red ribbons. Early on the first morning, everyone gathered to create a Circle of Strength and Health around the school to show unity in never allowing drugs or alcohol into their lives.

Each day, students were asked to wear something different to honor a new red ribbon theme. For example, on Oct. 23, students were “too professional to do drugs” and came dressed in their most successful-looking attire. Teachers also incorporated Red Ribbon Week-themed lessons into their classroom activities.

At Howard T. Herber Middle School, special guest speaker Howard Robertson, a retired warden from Rikers Island, spoke with sixth- through eighth-grade students about his experiences living in Jamaica, Queens and as a warden.

He endured great hardships growing up, including the murder of both of his parents and the death of his brothers and one sister as a result of drugs. His presentation was designed to provide students with the relevant information needed to make sound decisions when faced with negative peer pressure, bullying and substance abuse.