Every year during Red Ribbon Week, PAL students at Valencia and Esperanza High Schools, PYLUSD host an Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention Chalk Art Contest. Two to three weeks prior to Red Ribbon Week, PAL students promote the contest in the morning announcements and with banners placed around campus. Interested students form teams of 2-4 members, and sign up in the PAL advisor’s classroom. The team must submit a rough sketch of their artwork, which must include an alcohol, tobacco, or other drug free message. The sketches are screened for inappropriate messages or images which are not permitted. The morning of the contest, 5’ x 5’ squares are plotted out with white chalk in an area on campus. The teams begin at 8:00 a.m. and they have until 12:00 p.m. to finish. The students are excused from their morning classes, and are provided with chalk in a variety of colors. Breakfast is also provided. The artwork is judged by teachers during lunch. Winners are provided with gift cards and a photo of the winning artwork is placed on a plaque that can be viewed in the administration building. Typically, about ten teams participate. PAL students decorate the contest area with balloons, have health pamphlets available for students to take, and invite a school newspaper reporter to cover the event. PAL students recommend hosting the contest on Monday or Tuesday during Red Ribbon Week, so the artwork can be viewed all week long. It usually takes a week to fade.

 

Bookmark Contest

PAL students at Sycamore Junior High School, AUHSD hold an annual bookmark design contest during Red Ribbon Week. Using themes such as "Be Healthy and Drug Free" or "Follow Me-Drug and Violence Free,” students design bookmarks that present a positive, drug-free lifestyle. The theme must be included on the bookmark and no drug, alcohol, or tobacco paraphernalia can be drawn or written on the bookmark. Students design them during their Silent and Sustained Reading (SSR) period about 1 1/2 weeks before Red Ribbon Week. They are collected on the first Tuesday during Red Ribbon Week. The bookmarks are judged by PAL students. They disqualify any bookmarks that don’t represent a drug free, positive lifestyle, and then vote for their favorites. The bookmarks are sent to the district's graphic arts department for printing so every student receives one to use for SSR.

 

Essay Contest

PAL students at Baden-Powell Elementary School sponsor an annual essay contest during Red Ribbon Week. A theme such as "What Does Red Ribbon Week Mean To Me?” is chosen. PAL students promote the contest on the intercom to get the students excited about it. Two-weeks prior to Red Ribbon Week, guidelines are sent home which explain how long the essay needs to be, when it is due, and helpful hints for writing the essay. The essay is a homework assignment for all upper grade students. The top two essays from each class chosen by the teacher, and the PAL advisors and the principal choose one top winner from each grade level. The top two essays from each class along with the winners have their essays displayed on the PAL board in the multi-purpose room. The winners get to read their essays over the morning announcements during Red Ribbon Week. Winners also receive a certificate and a small prize.

 

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