Red Ribbon Week Programs

Looking for an assembly program for your elementary school students for Red Ribbon Week? Invite Mrs. Kate to motivate your students to remain drug, alcohol and tobacco/vape free! Mrs. Kate is passionate about sharing the joy and benefit of a healthy lifestyle choices with students. In this musical, interactive program, "Mrs. Kate" uses original songs with guitar, puppetry, and riveting storytelling to draw the students into her dynamic message.

Program length: 45 minutes to one hour.

Approved by the Duval County School Board's Heath Advisory Council
Parents' Choice Award Winner

Your students will learn:

The difference between prescription, over-the-counter and illegal drugs & the laws governing them
How to say NO to harmful substances
How to choose friends wisely
How to listen to the voice of your conscience
Why they should not experiment with drugs, alcohol and tobacco products
The benefits of a substance-free lifestyle
The importance of exercise
Hugs are better than drugs!

Program Content:

Mrs. Kate establishes rapport with the students with "Give Me a Smile." She compliments the children on their nice white teeth and ask them what color their teeth would be if they smoked cigarettes. They all holler out, "Yellow!" Then the students are introduced to the whimsical puppet, Reggie Raccoon with "Coon in the Can." Reggie lives in a garbage can and he eats garbage. Mrs. Kate explains to the kids that they are smarter than raccoons and they are too smart to put

harmful things into their bodies. Reggie tells them the three kinds of garbage that will hurt their bodies: illegal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.

D - R - U - G - S ? Never! is the next segment. "Are all drugs bad?" They learn the difference between legal drugs and illegal drugs. They learn what a prescription is and looks like with an effective visual aid. They are warned that it is against the law to take someone else's prescription. The students are cautioned about deceptive drug dealer tactics and are impacted with awful guilty feelings they'll get if they use illegal drugs. Mrs. Kate ends on a positive note, "G is for good if you never will start; S is for sure of the right thing to do."

"How do I know if something is right or wrong?" is the springboard question for the next segment, "Hey There, Little Conscience." Mrs. Kate explains what the conscience is and how it works. An oral "group quiz" is given with 4 questions to help them with discernment. "Pick a Pal" teaches the children how important it is to choose their friends wisely. Mrs. Kate explains guilt by association: Don't hang around with people who are doing bad stuff because you could be arrested. It is hard to get a job when you have a police record.

"I Like Bein' Clean". Boys and girls have separate parts in this song, which concludes with the stage helpers declaring the dreams they can achieve if they stay drug-free. By the end of this song, the kids are pumped up and singing along fervently. Mrs. Kate concludes with a "hugs are better than drugs" message in a joyful family song, "Hug-a-Bug-a-Boo." The kids learn actions to this song and heartily join in singing.

Kids see Mrs. Kate as a role model. One student at Gregory Drive Elementary wrote, "That's what I'll probably be when I grow up - just like her!"

"I highly recommend bringing “Mrs. Kate” to your school. She is energetic, enthusiastic, informative, and just plain fun. "Mrs. Kate" is probably the most animated singer / entertainer I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing. Her messages are clear and to the point. “Mrs. Kate” performed at my elementary school during Red Ribbon Week, and she was fantastic. All of my students, (from our Pre-K students to our 5th graders), were engaged for the entire one hour show. They are still singing “Mrs. Kate’s” songs, days after the show took place. Teachers are still thanking me for bringing such a great show to our school. I plan to play “Mrs. Kate’s” motivational songs during our “Morning Announcements” every chance I get. Do yourself and your students a favor, and bring this wonderful, talented woman to perform at your school."

- Sherry Sommers, School Counselor, Hogan Spring Glen Elementary, Jacksonville , Florida

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

"Mrs. Kate was a vibrant ray of singing sunshine for our students! Her spirit enlightened the crowd at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary as she spread her drug-free messages to all our Kindergarten through fifth graders. I would definitely recommend her for a special interactive performance of singing, dancing, and "catchy" tunes during Red Ribbon Week."

Beth Blank, Third Grade Educator, Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary F.A.M.E. Academy #220

"Our kids are still walking around singing "Hug-a-Bug-a-Boo" and "I Like Bein' Clean." This message is so important for our students and each year we grapple with ways to deliver it in a relevant fashion. We are so glad to have had Mrs. Kate and her guitar. Many of our students are exposed to drugs in some shape or form at an early age and we want to mold their opinions while they are young. I recommend without reservation that you extend the invitations to Mrs. Kate to sing with your students."

Courtney Utz, School Counselor, Justina Elementary, Jacksonville, FL

"I liked it because it rhymed and the words had all different kinds of sounds for almost every single sentence. The words were very funny. I have one more thing. I loved every song and her guitar."

James Augustine, Student, Bryceville Elementary School, Bryceville, FL

"Students, parents, and teachers alike found themselves singing along and doing the motions of the songs. I have heard classes singing the songs in the lunchroom. I would recommend Mrs. Kate's show to any school. She is a pleasure to work with."

Mary Kathryn Waldrop, Kingsway Elementary School, Port Charlotte, FL

"The energy and enthusiasm were catching! The Smile Song had the students participating fro the very beginning until the very last song, Hug-a-Bug-a-Boo. I began swaying and participating along with many of the other teachers. "Mrs. Kate' did a great job of teaching the healthy message of being drug free and caring for each other. I highly recommend her program for other schools. It is enriching to listen to songs written by the singer. Her props add to the charm."

Barbara Cropp, Counselor, Second Street Elementary, Bay St. Louis, MS

"Mrs. Kate kept the kids engaged and active the entire assembly. I have heard Hug-A-Bug-A-Boo in the hallways and from my own kids at home. Mrs. Kate did a good job of bringing the drug free message."

Justin Kean, Principal, GCMS Elementary, Gibson City, IL

"On behalf of the Flagler County School District, I would like to thank you for bringing your drug prevention and education program, "I Like Bein' Clean," to Flagler County to share with our younger students and being part of our elementary schools' 2004 Red Ribbon Week activities. We appreciated so much you sharing your positive, character-building, "hugs are better than drugs" message motivating our students to stay drug-free. We also want to thank you for being so flexible that you were able to adapt your program to accommodate each specific school's policies, and for your very organized pre and post show materials. you made it easy to prepare for and follow up your message! We enjoyed your music tremendously as did our students as you could tell by their enthusiasm and smiling faces. We could also plainly see that you sincerely care about what you are doing and that your goal is that as many students as possible be reached with the anti-drug message. Thank you again for your wonderful performance and we look forward to seeing you again in the future!"

Marsha S. Knight, Middle School Coordinator, Drug & Violence Prevention, Flagler County

"I have known Kate Carpenter for many years and was thrilled when we were able to have her come to kickoff our Red Ribbon Week at Bryceville Elementary School. Her "I Like Bein' Clean" presentation was a fun-filled, engaging, interactive assembly filled with her original songs which were thoroughly enjoyed by all. The messages her songs convey are simplistic and realistically relevant for elementary age children concerning how to say no to drugs and yes to healthy lifestyles. For weeks afterwards I was still hearing the children singing her songs "Hug-a-Bug-a-Boo" and "I Like Bein' Clean." Kate Carpenter is an outstanding performer who understands children and the importance of positive influences in the culture of our community schools. Hats off to Mrs. Kate!"

Laura Lee Kinard, M.E., School Counselor, Bryceville Elementary School, Bryceville, FL

"Thank you for presenting to the School Healthy Advisory Council. This letter is to inform you of the outcome regarding your request to add the "Motivate with Mrs. Kate" program to the Duval County Public Schools "Approved Resources List." The Council unanimously approved this character development/drug prevention program, which strives to teach children sound values and decision-making skills. Your desire to make such a positive impact on elementary school students is commendable."

Kathleen M. Bowles, Supervisor, Health Education, Duval County Public Schools