Human Services Director, Barbara Butler has announced that on Friday, May 16, the Teen Awareness Group (TAG) will sponsor its fifth annual Grim Reaper Day at Staples High School (SHS). 

“Grim Reaper Day attempts to raise student awareness of the unfortunate statistic that someone in the United States is killed in an alcohol related automobile accident every 30 minutes,” said Lemone.

To emphasize this statistic, TAG members will remove one, predetermined student from class every 15 minutes to claim as a drunk driving fatality victim.  While the remaining students in the class are being informed by another TAG member of the terrible tragedy that happened to claim the life of their peer, the newly claimed victim will briefly be removed from class and made up accordingly.  The student will not speak to anyone for the remainder of the school day (with the exception of classroom related matters). 

In addition to the victims, TAG will decorate both the inside and outside of SHS with messages designed to draw attention to the seriousness of drinking and driving. 

An assembly featuring a guest speaker sharing his personal story regarding drunk driving will be held during the school day.  Included in the assembly will be a drunk driving documentary filmed and produced by SHS student John Karmen and members of TAG.   As always, the SHS Pupil Services staff and the Student Outreach Counselor will be available to students who may be interested in processing these events throughout the school day.

Grim Reaper Day promises to be eventful and to impact the student body, and is strategically held during prom and graduation period.  TAG encourages parents of SHS students to take some time that afternoon to discuss how Grim Reaper Day may have affected their children, and to remind them of our message:  Every 30 minutes someone in the United States is killed in an alcohol related automobile accident.   

Contact TAG (AskTag@aol.com), Chris Lemone (mrcounselorguy@yahoo.com or 341-1285), or Elaine Daignault (341-1155) with questions or thoughts about Grim Reaper Day.