Terrace View Elementary School Promotes Red Ribbon Week

GRAND TERRACE>> Terrace View Elementary School is promoting awareness during Red Ribbon Week at Terrace View Oct. 17-21, one week before the national red ribbon week. The school is asking that the community, residents and business show visible support by putting up red ribbons and wearing red that week. The goal of Red Ribbon Week is to raise awareness about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and to encourage children/youth early on to participate in healthy activities develop healthy habits and build self confidence and self esteem. Some healthy habits include, getting enough sleep, having a bedtime routine, eating healthy snacks, developing regular hygiene routines, brushing/flossing teeth, engaging in positive activities and having a homework routine. Julia Firnkoess, program coordinator, said a huge part of promoting Red Ribbon Week is the visible message that students will get. "When they see everyone in RED and wearing red ribbon, it sends a powerful message to students that we — parents, teachers, admin, adults and peers — stand united in the fight against drugs," she said. "This is especially important, because by creating a strong message early, building self confidence by developing healthy habits and the ability to say 'no,' our youth will have more power to overcome peer pressure when it is there. We all have to work together on this, because peer pressure affects all of us at one time or another." Terrace View plans to participate in a week long school planned activities to promote the importance of being drug free. The students will have a theme each day during that week to dress up at school and there will be special guests who will be on campus to discuss how to be healthy. Guests will include, Grand Terrace Fire Department, Mayor Darcy NcNaboe, San Bernardino Sheriff Department and K-9 unit, Dr. Dan Banh, Troy Butler Racing, Grand Terrace Highs School Titans and Dance Dimension. Firnkoess said there will be 1,000 large red apples for the second year in a row to hand out to students as they learn about healthy foods and the health benefits in the red skin of the apple, such as the vitamins. She said the apples are donated to the school by a local family, Penny and David Radtke. On Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 7-7:45 a.m., the school will promote messages of "Unity Happiness Sprinkling", "Orange You Glad You Don't Do Drugs" and "Be A Friend Instead." "We invite our community to participate by coming to the front of our school, wearing orange and bring a sign to hold and greet students with messages about being a friend," Firnkoess said. The students will also participate in brown paper bag poster contest and will then be recycled back to Stater Bros. Market to be used for groceries. Firnkoess said many organizations within the community have donated certificates for one month of free lessons to poster winners. Winners will also receive a special canvas bag with their poster printed on it from 3Ring Creative. Chillz is also donating a free yogurt to every winner. The contest will have two winners from each grade level, K-6, making it a total of 14 winners. The fire department will judge the posters from K-3 grade, while Dance Dimensions will judge the bags from the 4-6 graders. "The amazing teachers at Dance Dimensions including Ms. Cherie, Ms. Nicole and Ms. Jenilee have volunteered their time once a week and studio to teach a group of 25 students a powerful dance in honor of Red Ribbon Week. This dance will be performed on the day of the award assembly. It's amazing and heartwarming how this community has come together for this event." Many members of our community are donating their time/services, monetary or food/beverage to our school for this week. Firnkoess said Terrace View Elementary would like to thank the many members of the community for donating their time, services, money, food and beverages to the school. She said they would also like to thank: Mayor Darcy McNaboe; the Grand Terrace City Council; City of Grand Terrace Dr. Dan Bahn; 3Ring Creative; Fiesta Village; Lakeshore; Stater Bros.; La Pasta Italia; Troy Butler, Racing; Natalie, Starbucks Manager; Jody and Chris Barnett; Penny & David Radtke; GT Women's Club; Up Dog, Kacy Carlsen; CalSkate; Chillz ; Jackie Mitchell; Tiffany Gordon, GTHS Athletic Director and GTHS Students; Deputy Nessel k-9; The Art Barn in Yucaipa; Habu Ewing Tae Kwon Do; Dance Dimensions; the Grand Terrace Fire Department; the San Bernardino Sheriff; the Grand Terrace Rec Center and the City News Group team.