Students say ‘No!’ to drugs

Every Fall, St. Joseph’s Indian School joins schools across the nation in celebrating Red Ribbon Week to show our support for healthy, drug-free lifestyles.

This is especially important to do for our students, because…

• Virtually 100% of the students at St. Joseph’s are affected by alcohol or drug use.
• If addiction isn’t present in their immediate family, it is in their community.

At St. Joseph’s we take the mission of breaking this cycle seriously. It’s why all of our Lakota children, grades 1st-8th, took part in educational activities throughout the week of October 30-November 3 to prove you don’t need drugs and alcohol to have fun!

Along with regular classroom education, daily trivia contests in their homes and a coloring contest, students took part in dress-up days in celebration of the week:

• Oct. 30: Students dressed-up in the color red to kick-off the week.
• Oct. 31: Students dressed-up in Halloween costumes.
• Nov. 1: Students dressed in school colors of blue and gold to show school spirit by being drug free.
• Nov. 2: Students wore jerseys to show they can “team-up against drugs and alcohol.”
• Nov. 3: Students wore pajamas to “put drugs to sleep.”

“Pajama Day is always the best because you get to be comfy all day!” exclaimed eighth grade student, Shayelyn.

The coloring contest winner were:

• 1st – 3rd grades First Place: Bryan; Second Place: Aurora
• 4th-6th grade First Place: Everardo; Second Place: Leslie
• 7th-12th grade Fist Place: Amira and Glenn; Second Place: Diamond

Learning ways to say “No!” to drugs and alcohol is a crucial step on their path to a better, brighter future. Pilamaya — thank you — for making programs like this possible!

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future. View all posts by St. Joseph's Indian School