By Mary Ellen Zangara Special Writer
MANVILLE — Commuters may have already noticed the large banner stretching across South Main Street proclaiming next week as “Red Ribbon Week” in Manville.
And while the sign is part of the efforts by school officials and the Manville Municipal Alliance to draw more attention to the week-long project aimed at getting students to pledge to stay drug and alcohol free, many more activities are planned for inside the schools.
The Alliance received a $1,000 donation from the Manville PBA in support of the week.
Red Ribbon Week is an anti-drug campaign that is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program. By wearing a red ribbon and participating in anti-drug events, students pledge to be drug free and pay tribute to Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was killed in 1985 while investigating drug traffickers in Guadalajara, Mexico.
At Weston School Sunday, parents will be hanging red ribbons around the outside of the school along with pledge card from students that pledged not to use drugs. Students will also design their own drug free T-shirt during the week.
Students can wear sunglasses Monday for the day’s activity — “Shade out drugs,” and don their favorite hat for Tuesday’s “Put a cap on drugs.” A magician with a drug-free theme will give an assembly Wednesday, when students will wear red to show their support of being drug free. Thursday will be “Team up against drugs” day and students can wear their favorite team apparel. Students will be receiving pencils, pens, stickers and ribbons throughout the week from the Weston PTA.
Roosevelt fourth- and fifth-graders will kick off the start of the week with a Halloween Bash Friday night sponsored by the PTA, with the “Too cool to do drugs” costume and dance event for students and their families. Each student will receive a glow bracelet.
On Monday, a door decorating contest — with the theme “Don’t let drugs haunt you” — will be held; and students will receive ribbons saying “I elect to be drug free.” Students will also be wearing red, white or blue to school for the day.
”Tie one on against drugs” on Tuesday has students wearing a tie to school and stickers will be given out. Activities for Wednesday include “It’s groovy to be drug free” with a hip hop assembly. Students can dress in 60s and 70s attire and join in break dance lessons after school.
Also on Wednesday, Principal Michael Magliacano will shave his hair in a Mohawk-style cut — students must have a pledge to be drug free and write a poem about being alcohol and drug-free to gain admission to see this.
Roosevelt students end the week with “Too cool to do drugs,” as they wear sunglasses and bracelets from the dance.
Alexander Batcho Intermediate School will have daily morning announcements featuring drug-related facts read over the school PA, as well as themed days.
Monday is “team up against drugs” day, and students can wear a shirt with a team logo on it. Tuesday is crazy hair day — “Drugs will fry your brain. Don’t let drugs make you crazy” — where students are encouraged to do something wacky with their hair or wear a goofy wig.
On Wednesday, ABIS students can wear red to show they are united in the celebration of Red Ribbon Week and committed to living a drug-free life. Thursday will be “Turn your Back on Drugs” and students can wear clothes backwards; Friday is Halloween, so the students will be whatever they want to be, but be drug free!!
Additionally, the students at ABIS will be doing red paper bows. Each homeroom will receive enough red bows for each student and staff member. Students and staff are asked to write a hobby or activity they enjoy doing. Then, the roughly 350 bows will be displayed around the school to express the many fun and healthy alternatives to doing drugs.
On Monday, an assembly sponsored by Project PRIDE (Promoting Responsibility in Drug Education) will bring the students face-to-face speakers from New Jersey Department of Corrections, who will talk about their personal experiences with drugs and alcohol.
”Stick to a Healthy Lifestyle,” planned in conjunction with an “Operation Shoebox” donation drive students, will give students the chance to help to duct tape Principal James Brunn to the wall. Students who bring in items for Operation Shoebox will be given a piece of duct tape to participate in the activity.
On Friday, each student will receive a Glow-in-the-Dark “Drugs aren’t Cool, They’re Deadly” goody bag with an “I choose to Be Drug Free” lollipop; a “My Life, My Choice Drug Free Bookmark; a “Join the Fight against Drugs” pencil; and a “Drug Free” eraser.
Manville High School students will have a Project PRIDE assembly at 9:30 a.m. Monday, following the ABIS assembly. A Red Ribbon Class Competition will be on Wednesday, sponsored by the Manville Municipal Alliance, Student Council and Peer Leadership Team.
And new MHS principal Donald Woodring has also agreed to be duct taped to a wall as students bring in food donations. Just like ABIS, students will be given a piece of duct tape for their donation. Students will also be wearing red on Wednesday to show their support.

