Garrett Elementary School closed out Red Ribbon Week on Friday with a special event linking literacy, leadership, and healthy living.
The final day of the school’s Read and Lead Initiative brought community leaders and Superintendent Dr. Malinda Cobb into second-grade classrooms to read stories and speak with students about making positive choices and being leaders.
“I think it’s important for our students to see that leaders are people,” Cobb said. “Making those leaders accessible helps students understand they can be leaders too.”
Cobb said the event gives children early exposure to role models who show that leadership is approachable and grounded in everyday life. She added that the conversations about healthy decision-making align with the message of Red Ribbon Week, the nationwide campaign promoting drug-free lifestyles.
“It’s about empowerment and making sure our students know that we’re with them,” Cobb said. “We want them to understand there are options, and that saying no to drugs is always a choice they can make.”
A parent-led push to connect schools and community
The Read and Lead Initiative was organized by parent Gerreanda Dunn, who wanted to bridge the gap between families, educators, and local officials.
“My main goal is to always bring the community into the school,” Dunn said. “I wanted students to see that elected officials and leaders don’t just show up during election season they’re part of our community every day.”
Dunn said she partnered with local leaders and Garrett Elementary staff to host guest readings throughout the week, allowing students to engage with district officials and community figures in a classroom setting.
“When kids see that these people care enough to visit their school, it gives them hope,” Dunn said. “They realize, ‘I can be that person too.’”
Reading as the foundation of leadership
Cobb said the connection between reading and leadership was a central theme of the week.
“Reading is the most important thing we do in school,” she said. “For our students to see that leaders value reading helps reinforce how important it is to their own success.”
