South Miami Commissioners paid tribute to South Miami K-8 Center for its most recent accomplishment: Red Ribbon Certification. South Miami K-8 Center is one of only four schools in Miami-Dade County selected for this distinguished honor. 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, and by engaging parents and the community.
“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. “South Miami K-8 Center does just that – and involves the entire community of students, parents, administrators and South Miami citizens in the process. That is prevention at its best.”
During the commission meeting on October 19, 2010, Mayor PhillipStoddard and the City Commissioners presented Principal Anamarie Moreiras a proclamation making October 19th South Miami K- 8 Center day.
Prior to the proclamation presentation, city officials, school prinicipals and community leaders gathered for a reception to honor Prinicipal Moreiras and the South Miami K-8 Center. This event was cohosted by the City Commission, Informed Families and the South Miami Drug-Free Coalition. Local vendors provided support through donations. Dan Marino’s, Splitsville Luxury Lanes and Cafe Bonjour provided food for the event. South Miami’s Garden Gate contributed flowers. 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 yearround 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.
To find out how your child’s school can be a Red Ribbon Certified School, contact Simone Brown Knight sbrown@informedfamilies.org at (305) 856-4886 or visit www.redribbonschools.org.
