Windsor Central High School and Middle School Celebrate Red Ribbon Week

Windsor Central Middle School kicked off Red Ribbon Week on Monday. Red Ribbon week promotes a drug-free lifestyle, encourages parent-child communication about substance abuse, and honor community and individual commitments to staying safe and healthy.

Middle school students signed a pledge to remain substance and bully free.

High School students will do the same on Tuesday. Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti and the Broome County Sheriff’s Community Policing Team will join them at WCHS to encourage that behavior.

Activities will continue during the week.

On Wednesday, high school students will continue their poster contest, play trivia, and role play scenarios throughout the day that will focus on peer pressure, substance use, mental health, and healthy decision-making.

On Thursday, they will take part in an interactive myth-versus-fact activity challenging students' knowledge of substance use, addiction, peer pressure, and bullying. On Friday, they will identify a real-life hero or positive influence and share how that person has made a difference in their lives.

On Wednesday, middle school students will participate in an interactive activity highlighting everyday courage, healthy choices, substance use prevention, standing up against bullying, positive friendships, and the impact of one person or one connection.

They will be joined by members of the Broome County Sheriff's Office Community Policing Team, a local EMT and firefighter, educators, counselors, Community Schools representatives, Binghamton University student interns, and two specially selected high school athletes.

“Working with students during Red Ribbon Week is about more than substance use prevention. It's about building connections, encouraging positive choices, and helping students recognize their potential,” said said Kara Kasmarcik, behavioral health counselor for the student assistance program at Guthrie/Lourdes.

This year's theme is, "Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free."

“My goal is to remind students that being a hero doesn't always mean having ‘superpowers,’ but starts with everyday courage, making healthy choices, and looking out for one another. I also want them to be reminded that they are surrounded by people who believe in them, support their goals, and want to see them succeed," said Kasmarcik.