Media Advisory
1450 Herndon, Clovis, CA 93611-0599
(559) 327-9000; Fax (559) 327-9099
www.cusd.com


Parades, events & activities scheduled to encourage positive choices

Citizenship, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, respect and responsibility, the six pillars of character taught to Clovis Unified’s students will be celebrated the week of Oct. 19-23, followed the next week by the District’s 23rd annual celebration of Red Ribbon Week. Activities from the “wild and crazy” to the “sober and serious” varieties will help emphasize the character and prevention messages of both Red Ribbon and CHARACTER COUNTS!

Since 1986, CUSD students have used Red Ribbon Week to pledge their support and actively participate in ongoing efforts to prevent alcohol and other drug abuse in the Clovis area. Red Ribbon Week was established to call people from all walks of life to action, and make a visible commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Attached is a list of highlight events occurring throughout the District during Red Ribbon Week, which comes on the heels of this year’s National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week (October 19-23) designed to reinforce the importance of teaching basic ethical values to youth.

To arrange coverage of one of the highlighted events listed on the attachments, or for more information, please contact Kelly Avants, Administrator of Communications, at 327-9092. When visiting a CUSD campus, members of the media must first check in at the school’s front office before proceeding to an event location.

Daily
Schools around the District have daily student activities from dance competitions to school-wide crazy dress days.

Wednesday, October 21
Agency Day
Dry Creek Elementary, 1273 N. Armstrong, Clovis, 9:15-10:30 a.m.
Dry Creek first-, second- and third-graders will participate in the school’s Agency Day in which students will rotate through seven 15-minute stations with opportunities to hear presentations from the Sheriff's Department and Mounted Patrol, the Fresno Police Department’s K-9 Unit, the SWAT team, and other agencies. American Ambulance’s helicopter will create a stir on campus that day, landing on Dry Creek’s playfield at 11 a.m.

Monday, October 26
High School Theater Students Perform Anti-Drug Skits for Elementary Students
Fort Washington Elementary, 960 E Teague, Fresno, 2 p.m.
Rally will feature skits by Fort Washington’s Student Council, and 10 of Sandra Hahn’s Theatre Production students from Clovis West High School. Two of the class’ students, Kia Vassiliades and Devynn Braswell, wrote the script “Drug Awareness Never Takes a Vacation” in which the hero, Drug Awareness Man, attempts to take a vacation, but unfortunately finds out that there are drugs on the island ... and duty calls! The rally will also include a motivational message from Frank Renteria, a multiple gold medal winner at the National Veteran’s Games.

Clovis West Students Sign Eagles of Honor Pledges
Clovis West High School, 1070 E. Teague, Fresno, 12:20 p.m.
At lunchtime, beginning at 12:20 p.m., Clovis West students will begin signing this year’s Eagle of Honor Pledge, vowing to faithfully uphold the school’s principals, guard its traditions, respect its values, and abide by the Code of Ethics. Clovis West’s innovative Pledge program, now in its third year, is a way to let kids know that they are not alone when they do the right thing and that, by being part of the Eagles of Honor, they have support from their peers to make the right choices.

Students will be able to sign the Pledge cards every lunch period during Red Ribbon Week at tables, which will be manned by CWHS Leadership students, set up in the quad, amphitheater and by the west gym, with the most pledges expected to be signed on the first day, Monday, October 26.

There will be plenty of opportunity to speak with students who will be eager to share their reasons for signing the Pledge, as well as Leadership students who spearhead the program.

BMX Show
Garfield Elementary, 1315 N. Peach, Clovis, two shows: 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Cap City BMX Professional Stunt Team will put on a thrilling show full of jaw-dropping stunts for Garfield students and staff, while stressing an anti-drug message and other themes including safety, living a positive lifestyle, reaching potential and following dreams.

K-9 Unit Case Simulation
Maple Creek Elementary, 2025 E. Teague, Fresno. 2:15 p.m., in the amphitheater
Detailed, interactive demonstration of how Fresno Police Department’s K-9 unit handles a typical case using the specialized skills of their highly trained police dogs.

Retro Bill Assembly
Valley Oak Elementary, 465 E. Champlain, Fresno, 2 p.m.
National D.A.R.E. Spokesman, motivational speaker and animated entertainer Retro Bill will perform at Valley Oak’s highly visual assembly encouraging students to make good choices and stay away from drugs.

Tuesday, October 27
DUI Glasses Event
Buchanan High School amphitheater, 1560 N. Minnewawa, Clovis, 12:10 p.m.
Using special glasses altered to simulate being under the influence, students will get a lesson on just how dangerous it is to drive and simply function while intoxicated. Wearing the glasses, students will try to perform otherwise simple tasks like walk a straight line and throwing and catching soft objects to demonstrate the dangers of an altered mind.

Wednesday, October 28
Old Town Red Ribbon Parade
Weldon Elementary, 150 DeWitt, Clovis, 10 a.m.
Weldon Elementary will host the annual downtown Clovis Red Ribbon Parade with many dignitaries, students and bands marching together for a “drug-free” cause.

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