Senator Cornyn Helps Us Note the Importance of Red Ribbon Week

Senator John Cornyn (right) with
O. Henry Principal Pete Price and students

This week, October 25-29, is Red Ribbon Week, and it's an ideal way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against substance abuse.  

In honor of Red Ribbon Week, I joined U.S. Senator John Cornyn this morning at O. Henry Middle School to talk about the importance of making health choices, preventing the use of drugs (alcohol, tobacco, and drugs, including misuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs), and what AISD is doing to encourage students to be drug free! Here's a website with suggestions of activities during Red Ribbon Week.  Red Ribbon Week Activities

Did you know that students in their general PE classes receive ongoing and consistent education about tobacco laws and tobacco education? This year, AISD is dedicating November 15-19, the same week as the Great American Smoke-out (November 18), to reinforce tobacco prevention and cessation. We will increase the awareness during this week about the harmful effects of tobacco use, how to prevent using tobacco products, and how to stop using tobacco products.  

For AISD staff, the AISD Staff Wellness program has begun offering FREE smoking cessation classes.  The seven-week series begins November 1, and it's not too late to sign up! It's free, it's once a week, and it's the best thing you can do for your health! Contact Tracy Lunoff, Coordinator of Health Services, at 414-9778 with questions, interest, and to sign up.


The Red Ribbon Campaign was begun in Mexico City after the murder of a DEA agent. The display of Red Ribbons became a symbol of intolerance towards drug use. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a DRUG-FREE AMERICA.  

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

You've all  heard the old saying, "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away."  Well, it may not be enough. I (we) need to make health a priority for ourselves, our families, and our children/students. This video poem by Taylor Mali speaks to the importance of thinking of health as a skill — a 21st Century skill that requires practice and that we must teach our kids by example everyday. Check it out. An Apple a Day Is Not Enough

When I made the choice to become a healthier Superintendent, I knew it would be tough, I knew I would be blogging and tweeting about my goal to lose weight, eat better, sleep more, and stress less — and it HAS been TOUGH! The first round of boot camp, the hard work, getting up everyday at 5:30 a.m. — and I only lost one pound! ONE pound!  

I was discouraged, but I set a goal and I'm going to see it through to the end. I'm going to continue to lead by example for staff, students, and blog followers. I'd love to hear how others who have joined me in this quest to become healthier, who has made health a priority are doing. How are you thinking of health as a skill? How are you challenging yourself to not give up in the face of challenges (my love of bacon, travelling) and barriers (late meetings, early meetings, and sitting all day).  

So an apple a day may not be enough, but it's a start and we all have to start somewhere. Set a health goal for yourself, challenge a co-worker to join you, challenge your students to set health goals and track them using Math integration of charting, and, collectively, we all will lead by example and eventually change the portrait of health.  

Congratulations, AISD Police Department!

AISD Police Captain Eric Mendez and Chief Ernesto Riojas

I was very proud to learn today that AISD's Police Department has been chosen as the 2010 Public Employer of the Year by the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities. 


Police Chief Ernesto Riojas said that he's pleased that the employment practices of AISD and our Police Department are consistent with community values on a strong and diverse work force. 

The award, based on a selection by a panel of judges, will be presented tomorrow (Wednesday) at the 31st Annual Disability Employment Awards and Recognition Program. The program's keynote speaker will be Jim Harrington, Executive Director of the Texas Civil Rights Project. 

I really like this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme, Talent Has No Boundaries: Workforce Diversity includes Workers with Disabilities. That's an important message because it recognizes that we all have the ability to make significant contributions to our community. 

I applaud our AISD Police Department for putting this principle into action, and urge all employers to increase their workforce diversity by hiring individuals who have disabilities, and also much-needed talent!