Welcome to If You Give a Principal a Podcast, a podcast production of the Harrah Elementary School Associated Student Body  and the Mt. Adams School District. I’m your host, and Principal, at Harrah Elementary, Rob McCracken. 

Today’s episode is a short presentation by members of the Mt. Adams School District Dream Makers. The Dream Makers is a youth coalition that started in 2007 when a group of students, under the guidance of school counselors, saw an opportunity to make a difference in their community within the Yakama Reservation. 

Dream Makers provides a place for students in the Mt. Adams School District to discuss their problems concerning family, school, poverty, substance abuse, and suicide. 

In this episode, titled “Medicine Safety”, we meet Samantha Skunk - a magenta skunk - and her friend Solomon the Parrot. 

In this story, Samantha has tried medicine that wasn’t hers and it has caused her to turn from her beautiful unique magenta color to a sickly green. Solomon leads Samantha to return to her original color by following his advice and agreeing to help others learn to be safe around medicine.

Core learning points of this presentation are: 

Someone else’s medicine might be bad for you,

Never give yourself medicine; and,

If you find medicine – tell an adult.

The Samantha Skunk Program uses Samantha Skunk and her friends to present a positive message on health. The stories are designed to be taught primarily at the Pre-k through 2nd grade level and address issues related to prescription and medicine safety, smoking, and lung health and exercise. 

Each story is normally taught by members of our Harrah Elementary Dream Makers in brightly colored, full-body costumes. Due to COVID-19 restrictions we have adapted this presentation as an audio presentation. 

If this is your first time listening to the podcast, welcome to the show and if you’re a returning listener thanks for coming back. So, pull up a chair and see what happens when you give a principal a podcast.