News – Sheridan Media
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Keeping students drug free is the object of the ‘Hands-Off Drugs’ program at Sheridan Junior High School. Every year, sixth, seventh and eighth grade students can take a pledge to not use drugs or alcohol, at least until they are 21.
On December 18, with the help of teachers, Sheridan Police, County Sheriff Department and the Sheridan Fire Department, students took the pledge, and then painted their hands, and applied the painted handprint to the wall in the school hallway. Then they sign the handprint and date it.
There was a short ceremony with refreshments for the students and those attending.
Raili Emery, School Counselor, talked about the program.
This year 143 sixth graders, 111 seventh graders and 144 eighth grader chose to make the Hands-Off Drugs pledge, which is not quite half of the student body, Emery said.
Meagan Phillips, Sheridan Police Department and School Resource Officer, explained about the program.
Phillips said she wasn’t sure how long the school had been doing the ‘Hands-Off’ pledge, but she said that she has seen handprints and signatures that she recognized from when she was in school.
Piper Ferrier was one of the students who has taken the pledge before, and this year she will sign her handprint to show that she took the pledge for another year.
Phillips read the pledge,
Hands were painted and new handprints added to the wall.
Levi Dominguez, Sheridan County Sheriff, was at the celebration, and he had this comment.
He added that by being a present in the schools is a way of building relationships not only with students but with the teachers and the families and that was very important. “It helps all the students be successful, throughout their school years but also in their adult life as well.”
Although Emery didn’t know how many students have kept the pledge over the years, she said if she has proof that a student has not kept the pledge, their handprint is painted over. She said that it can’t be just rumors, though, there has to be proof.
Hands Off Drugs, a pledge to help students stay drug-free.
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Last modified: December 20, 2024