Taking a Drug-Free Stand

Students and teachers get up on their feet and dance
during Park School’s Red Ribbon Rally on Friday, October 23rd.

Assistant Superintendent Patricia Moore
and School Board member Rev. Lamar D. Collins
enjoy the festivities at Park School.

Park School Principal Dell McFarlane listens as
Riverdale Mayor Deyon L. Dean addresses the student assembly.

Dolton West Elementary District 148 students are promising to lead healthy, drug-free lives.

With red ribbons, assemblies, pledges, red shirts and red accessories, songs, contests and more, schools throughout the district heralded anti-drug messages throughout their buildings during Red Ribbon Week.

Park School in Riverdale ended its week-long Red Ribbon campaign on Friday, October 23rd with a rousing rally in the school gym. Complete with red and white balloons and red ribbons printed with the words “Celebrate A Drug Free Life”, the celebration had village, park district, school dstrict, and school board officials, students, teachers and staff on their feet participating in motivational chants and songs led by David Jennings, Park’s safety facilitator.

Jennings also announced the winners of the school’s essay and art contests.

The school’s own Mojo B. Happy, also known as Marjeane Nicholson, donned a red sequined vest and sparkling red, white, and blue top hat as she danced and marched around the gym with students. Nicholson works as a paraprofessional at Park.

Speeches made during the event included those by Principal Dell McFarlane, school board member and parent Rev. Lamar D. Collins, Riverdale Mayor Deyon L. Dean, Police Chief Hollis Dorrough, Jr. and Fire Chief Tyrone Jarrett, Sr.

Members of Park’s Student Council also introduced themselves, conveyed their career ambitions of becoming actresses, singers, doctors, detectives, lawyers, chefs, DJs, dancers, and artists, and they committed to be drug free.

McFarlane said the school has high expectations for its students, academically and behaviorally.

“We are making gains here at Park School and we are proud of what we are doing,” she said.

Other Riverdale representatives who attended the event were Village Clerk Deborah Smiley, Deputy Clerk Shuntai Sykes, Riverdale Housing and Community Resource Center Director Kelly Evans, Housing Assistant Kim Adkins, and Ivanhoe Park District of Riverdale board Vice President Brenda Britt-Cox.

Paraprofessional Marjeane Nicholson, also known as Mojo B. Happy,
led the students in marches and dances throughout the Park School gym.

Park Principal Dell McFarlane introducesSchool Board
member Rev. Lamar D. Collins.

Riverdale village officials attend Park's Red Ribbon Rally.

Roosevelt Junior High School students wore red shirts and accessories on
Wednesday, October 28th.