Red Ribbon Week 2023: Fostering Community and Connection

Every October, CCES recognizes Red Ribbon Week with activities, speakers, and thoughtful discussions. While this week’s primary goal is to create awareness and educate kids about making good choices and substance use, CCES approaches it with a broader perspective. “Since we are a K-12 school, we tend to focus on holistic wellness and healthy decision-making in accordance with our Episcopal school identity,” said Wes Clarke, Head of the Upper School. “Ultimately, our overall purpose is to build community.”

 

To that end, many of the week’s events centered on this theme of connection and community -- none more so than our first ever All School Picnic on Thursday. Lower, Middle, and Upper School students, plus members of faculty and staff, poured out onto the practice and playing fields at Carson Stadium for some al fresco lunching under a brilliant blue sky. Wearing red shirts and tops, they gathered in small groups to which they had been assigned earlier. In this way, younger and older students had a chance to get to know one another better. "We really want our students of all ages to have as many personal connections across campus as possible," said Father Wallace, Senior Chaplain.

 

After an opening prayer by Father Wallace and readings by Luke Foster ’29, Scarlette Portanova ’29, and Parker Davis ‘23, the kids settled in to enjoy their lunches and chat. Upper School students had been prepared ahead of time to lead the small group conversations with starters that were developed by Lower, Middle, and Upper School Counselors. These included:

 

 

“It was a little uncomfortable at first, because you don’t know everybody and you’re not with your usual friends,” said Miley Roberts ’23. “But once we all started talking it was actually a lot of fun.”

 

By the end, any lingering awkwardness had disappeared. Games of Sharks and Minnows and Duck, Duck, Goose broke out. There were piggy back races and cartwheels. At some point, a conga line formed, twisting through the crowd to Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

 

“Two big themes came out of this week’s discussions with our Upper School students,” said Zay Kittredge, US Counselor. “One was ‘be kind to self and others’ and the second one was ‘the opposite of addiction is connection’.”

 

Those two themes certainly felt born out as students, teachers, and staff finally started to make their way back to classrooms or offices. There was a feeling of joy in the crisp fall air. A reminder that we are better as a community. Lighter, kinder, and hopefully, when facing a difficult choice, much stronger.

For full photo album, please click here.