On Monday November, 18th, the Students Against Destructive Decisions club (S.A.D.D.) met for their monthly meeting to discuss upcoming projects for the winter season.
A main priority of the SADD club is to promote smart choices and safety among the student body. Typically, the club is split up between two teams that meet individually every couple weeks, but this meeting was used to bring the whole club of about 50 students together. Group leaders organized different activities to participate in throughout the meeting.
During their time together, there were separate stations following a brief introduction from the club co-presidents, Klaudia Panek and Elise Suffish. The stations included note card writing and gift making for the SWHS bus drivers, a quiz game about teen drug use, a coordination game that encouraged team bonding, and a scavenger hunt.
“The meeting was a great opportunity for everyone to get together and it gave us the chance to connect, share ideas, and support each other in making positive changes,” said SADD club Co-President and senior Klaudia Panek.
Additionally, pizza and salad were provided for the attending students.
One of the goals of this meeting was to prepare for SADD Makes You Happy Day, which takes place annually on December 7th in remembrance of Sandy Hook. This day is meant to spread joy and kindness on what otherwise would be a somber day.
“SADD Makes You Happy Day started in December of 2013. As the 1 year anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragic events was approaching, the families in that community were working diligently to make change in our state and around the country. They wanted to refocus the conversation to “sensible action and love”. The students in the SADD Club were brainstorming ways they could help. They knew that it would be a small impact, but they thought that they could figure out a way to show that small acts of kindness can really make a difference and build community. So, SADD Makes You Happy Day started that December and has been happening each year since. We try to do it on December 14th, or a day during that week,” said SADD Club advisor Kathy Reed.
The SADD club recognizes this day by handing out gift bags of snacks and candies to teachers, including bus drivers this year. Each bag has a unique note card with an encouraging message written by a SADD club member to help brighten people’s days.
“Originally, students would bring in homemade treats for the teachers and would hand out candy to the students. After Covid, the treats turned into bags with packaged goodies for ALL teachers and staff in the building. Every bag also has a handwritten note in it. We have added things through the years – like flowers for the cafeteria staff, sticky notes with positive messages, candy canes for students and special bags for the bus drivers, custodians and security – which include hand warmers. We also hide small amounts of money and small gift cards for students to find that morning. This year we will add some lobby music to brighten everyone’s mood as they enter the school. It is a day to say thank you, show kindness and build connection!” Reed said.
The day was helpful not only to plan and prepare for the upcoming months, but also to create a strong team spirit within the club.
“The club meeting was fun and entertaining and afterward I felt more excited to see how we will make December 7th [SADD Makes You Happy Day] a better day for the staff,” said sophomore and SADD member Carly Jarvis.
You can support SADD through their sock drive, which runs until the end of November, and help spread kindness with them on December 7th for SADD Makes You Happy Day!
