The Promise Garden
During Red Ribbon Week students created a message that remains visible throughout the year. With donations from the community, a Promise Garden was created. The principal and teachers worked alongside students to plant the garden in adherence to mathematically calculated draft produced by math students and sketches of the artistic rendition using these calculations, produced by art students. Language arts students wrote messages to younger students about how the seeds that were planted in that garden predicted a “drug free” future for all and why this future is important. While young people may pay attention to what adults say, there is a greater chance they will listen to peers. The same way one learns best what one teaches others, it is safe to assume students internalized the values they promoted through this practice. Over 50% of the students have stated that the garden is a reminder of what the correct choice is. Statements such as “I look at the garden everyday and I’m proud I was part of something so important…I even brought my little sister by the school on a Saturday to show her and explain what it all means…I feel good about myself.”