As summer begins to wind down, families are starting to prepare for a new school year. Back-to-school season is about more than shopping for supplies and adjusting routines—it is also an opportunity to reconnect, set expectations and create healthy habits that support children throughout the year.
President’s Message - August 2026
Back to School is Happening Now
Back-to-school time is filled with excitement and hope for a new beginning....new learning, new friends, new clothes, new backpacks, and so much more. Yet, it can also be a time filled with some apprehension.
Parents, family, and home are the building blocks for raising healthy, drug-free kids. That can feel like a lot of responsibility for parents and caregivers. Informed Families wants to help by providing helpful information in fun, easy-to-use formats for implementing Healthy Norms at home.
This year’s Red Ribbon Theme is “Be A Hero, Stay Drug Free.” Informed Families will be offering ways for both you and your kids to be heroes. One way to be a hero is simply to set aside time to interact with your family. Be a hero in your own home and with your own family by showing kindness, being helpful, and spending meaningful time together. Giving kids age-appropriate chores can also be a building block for success, helping them feel a sense of belonging, participation, and purpose.
Healthy Norms are important and are building blocks for healthy families and a healthy society.
September 28th is Family Day, EAT DINNER WITH YOUR CHILDREN DAY. Kids who eat dinner with their families are less likely to use drugs or become involved in other risky behaviors. Why? Because this is a valuable time to talk, connect, and listen without distractions. We can provide you with helpful tips and conversation starters to make that time together even more meaningful.
How can families bring the “Hero” theme into Family Day?
The Red Ribbon Campaign is October 23-31, and this year’s theme is “Be a Hero, Stay Drug Free,” created at Griswold Middle School by Ava Tackett with the help of her Health Teacher, Kristen Butremavic. Griswold Middle School and its community worked together to encourage Healthy Norms and create an environment that helps kids make healthy, drug-free choices. Congratulations to Ava, her teacher, school, and community!
The Red Ribbon Theme Contest for 2027 will take place during Red Ribbon Week and ends November 6, 2026. We encourage schools everywhere to participate, get creative, and submit their ideas for next year’s theme.
We have four campaigns, but for now, we encourage you to focus on our fall campaigns: Family Day and Red Ribbon.
Need help or ideas? Informed Families is here to support you.
