Red Ribbon Week goes a little 'crazy'

In cooperation with the local D.A.R.E. program and Maryville Public Safety, local schools are taking part in Red Ribbon Week, five days of fun that encourage students to stay drug-free.

At Horace Mann Laboratory School and elsewhere, each day this week has a theme, and Tuesday was no exception.

Crazy Hair Day saw some carefully crafted hairdos inspired by the theme "doing drugs is crazy."

On Monday, the students wore red for both heart health and Red Ribbon Week.

Today is "put a cap on drugs" day, when students can wear their favorite hat. Thursday will be "life is more colorful without drugs" day. The final emphasis on Friday is titled, "if the Bearcats don't do it, why should you?"

The Horace Mann Student Council has been hanging decorations holding a daily giveaway.

D.A.R.E. is a staple for kindergarten, first-, third- and sixth-grade students at Horace Mann.

The program teaches youngsters about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and encourages them to make good life choices.

"It goes hand-in-hand with our whole healthy lifestyle program," Horace Mann principal Jill Baker said. "The kids learn that everything they do now to have a healthy lifestyle contributes to being a healthy adult."