When selecting the right school for a child, parents look at achievement scores, academic performance, safety and overall reputation. Now, seven schools in Florida are being given the seal of approval for success in and commitment to academic excellence through drug prevention.
Red Ribbon Certified Schools, a program of Informed Families and the National Family Partnership, recognizes schools that improve academic performance by keeping kids drug and alcohol free, while engaging parents and the community.
The following four schools in Florida were selected for Red Ribbon Certification in 2015:
- Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center in Miami-Dade County
- Godby High School in Leon County
- Meadowbrook Middle School in Orange County
- Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8 Center in Miami-Dade County
“The Red Ribbon Certified Schools program provides a wonderful opportunity to honor schools that utilize the Red Ribbon Campaign and other effective prevention strategies year round to help kids grow up safe, healthy and drug-free,” says Peggy Sapp, President & CEO of Informed Families. “These four schools do just that – and involve the entire community of students, parents, administrators and local citizens in the process. That is prevention at its best.”
Various recognition events took place in October to recognize the schools. Community members joined with the schools to to raise the Red Ribbon Certified Schools flag in support of educational excellence through prevention.
To be considered for Red Ribbon Certification, schools must utilize substance abuse prevention-related curriculum guided by best practices, work with parents as partners and engage in year-round Red Ribbon events. Schools selected for certification remain certified for a three-year period. The program was originally developed by Informed Families, The National Family Partnership and the Florida Center for Prevention Research at Florida State University and funded by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the US Department of Health & Human Services. Over 70 schools nationwide have been awarded Red Ribbon Certification status since 2005.
To find out how your child’s school can be a Red Ribbon Certified School, contact Informed Families at (305) 856-4886 or visit www.RedRibbonSchools.org.
