Redding classes plant promises

Each of the 1,000 tulip bulbs planted in Seymour-Redding Elementary School’s new Field of Dreams is a promise — a promise from each student to remain drug and alcohol free.

Come spring when the red flowers bloom, students will be reminded of that promise, school counselor Meredith Henry said.

The field of tulips, planted on school grounds and visible from Indiana 11, is part of Redding’s celebration of Red Ribbon Week, Oct 26 through Oct. 30, a national campaign to keep children, families and communities safe, healthy and drug free.

At the beginning of the school year, Henry and Principal Julie Kelly decided they wanted to do something different for Red Ribbon Week to make a lasting impact on students and the community.

“I think in the past we have handed out red ribbons for the kids to wear and we always have dress-up days,” Henry said. “But the ribbons usually end up in the trash and it’s not something the kids remember.”

By having each student plant their own tulip bulb Tuesday morning, Kelly said students are “taking ownership in their decision to be drug and alcohol free.”

“We had wanted to do something the kids could hold on to,” Kelly said. “When the flowers bloom in April, we will renew our promise.”

Field of dreams

The name Field of Dreams was chosen because students need to say no to drugs and alcohol to make their dreams come true, Kelly added.

“We talked with the students about making good choices and how important that is in realizing their dreams,” Kelly said.

Fourth-grader Michael Knecht said Red Ribbon Week is an event all schools should celebrate.

“I think it’s important because I don’t want to do drugs and it might make kids who are doing drugs change their minds,” he said of the celebration.

As for the Field of Dreams, Knecht said he liked being a part of it.

“I thought it was a great idea,” he said. “I’ll never do drugs.”

Redding’s Parent-Teacher Organization bought the bulbs at a discounted price from Home Depot in Seymour. The business later donated more bulbs so each student could take one home and sent a store representative to the school Tuesday with bulb diggers to help plant the flowers.

Also helping with the project was longtime school custodian and groundskeeper Clint Voss.

“He deserves a lot of credit because he’s the one that will take care of it,” Kelly said of the tulip field.

Besides planting tulips, students also participated in dress-up days this week. Monday was “Being Drug Free is No Sweat Day,” and students were encouraged to wear sweat pants to school. Tuesday was “Wear Red Day.” Today is “Put a Cap on Drugs Day,” where students can wear hats in class. Thursday, students should wear crazy socks for “Sock-it to Drugs Day,” and Friday, kids can break out the sunglasses for “Shade Out Drugs Day.”

Henry said also as part of Red Ribbon Week, students watched a video and discussed being drug and alcohol free.

“They are very engaged and excited about it, and asking good questions,” she said.

Fifth-grader Sam Weaver said Red Ribbon Week and the Field of Dreams is “important in helping kids not do drugs.”
“It helps you understand that we are supporting being drug and alcohol free,” he said.

Weaver said through his Drug Abuse Resistance Education class, he learned that drugs and alcohol affect the brain.

“Studies show that your brain stops developing at age 22, so if you do drugs or alcohol before then your brain might not develop right,” he said.

For fifth-grader Duncan Slueder, celebrating Red Ribbon Week is not only fun, it’s the “cool” thing to do.

“I think it’s cool to support Red Ribbon Week, because doing drugs is not cool,” he said. “It messes with your body.”

He said he liked planting the tulips because it’s something he’s never done.

“I’ve never really planted a tulip before,” he said.

After planting her bulb, Rylee Robinson, a third-grader, said she will always say no to drugs and alcohol and make good choices in her life.

“Drugs can hurt you and ruin your life,” she said. “This is like my promise to never do drugs.”