Red Ribbon Week Kicks Off with BMX, Ends with Fall Carnival

All year long, plans and preparations are put into action for the annual Fall Carnival at McKinley Elementary. After all, it’s an event that has gained a reputation for being one that students, families, school employees and the community anticipate. Music bumped in the background Friday evening, Oct. 25, and the air smelled of fresh, savory food. Visitors took part in playing games with the chance to win prizes; vendors and other family-friendly activities kept the excitement high. District firefighters stopped by to hand out stickers and hats, as well. The carnival is run by the McKinley Elementary School PTA and the community and the money pulled in from the event is given back to the schools. Due to budget cutbacks, schools in the Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) have discontinued paid education field trips, but with programs like the carnival put into place, it’s again possible to give children those experiences. It’s an experience that both provides and teaches the students involved. Some of the open booths are assisted by shifts of students, lending time and help on a volunteer basis. For the Trick r’ Trunk, the students helped make decorations. “It gives the students an opportunity to blossom,” said teacher Ms. Borquez as she gave a handful of candy to a group of kids. The teachers themselves all work on their own time, which shows the level of care and commitment Colton school district has in place for the students. The Red Ribbon Week festivities kicked off on the Tuesday prior to the Fall Carnival date, with a BMX biker performance that set the stage for a high-intensity week as children pledged to remain drug free. On Oct. 22, two BMX bikers visited the school’s 677 transitional kindergarten through sixth-grade students, where they performed jumps and back-flips over the crowd. They also spoke to students about “making good decisions,” said McKinley principal Michael Williford. Red Ribbon Week stresses the importance of remaining drug- and alcohol-free to school-aged youth. “They talked to the kids about making good, healthy choices and pursuing their dreams; if [the students] put their mind to it, they can do anything.” Williford said student participation in the opening BMX performance was high. “The kids were having a good time. I’m surprised they didn’t hear us in south Colton,” he joked. “The bikers definitely inspired the kids to shoot high. They let them know there’s more to life and they can do anything their hearts desire. These are normal guys who get to ride their bikes for a living and inspire kids,” Williford said. The Red Ribbon events are sponsored by the McKinley PTA, headed by President Maria Koperski.