Harold Keller / L’Observateur / October 28, 2000

Every October in our state, we set aside one week to celebrate Red Ribbon Week. Students are made aware of the drug problem and are encouraged tostay drug-free. Red ribbons are given to students and faculty memberswith an anti-drug message. Posters are displayed and special programsencouraging students to feel good about themselves and always saying no to drugs are a big part of the activities. Many schools schedule speakersto talk about the evils of drugs.

This week, and for the past four years, one of the schools I’ve had the privilege of speaking at is LaPlace Elementary. It has become one of myfavorite schools because of the loving and caring spirit that you can feel as soon as you arrive.

Courtney Millet, PhD (she has just completed her work on her doctorate), is the principal. Mrs. Jane Bozeman, a counselor, is always in charge of theactivities for that week.

Wednesday, I had three sessions which included speaking to the sixth- graders, the fifth-graders, and then the fourth-graders. When a school hasan administration and faculty full of love and a sincere concern for every student, the children reflect it.

My message included feeling good about yourself, loving and respecting yourself, and respecting others. I also stressed doing better in school.Together, we had a short activity on encouraging each other.

The kids were great! They were excited about their school and very courteous. We laughed, we shared, and we encouraged. The bottom line isthat we had a happy hour, filled with feeling good about ourselves and others.

After speaking to the fifth-graders, Mrs. Millet said, “Mr. Keller, thisclass, all of the fifth-graders, 100 percent of them, passed the LEAP test last year!” This convinced me, more than ever, that LaPlace Elementary is a good place for a child. I wondered why, with all the bad publicity schoolsget, I hadn’t heard about this remarkable achievement! I guess it all boils down to bad news gets more headlines.

It was an exciting day! I like me better when I’m surrounded with positive people doing positive things for our children.

At the end of the day, I was presented with a box of candy, a T-shirt that encouraged reading and a pen that read “LaPlace Elementary – A Good Place to Learn.” Believe me, that’s not false advertising.

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group.

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