The Levittown School District begins the 13th Annual LEAD Week on Sunday with their 1.5 mile Family Walk, which will be followed by a fair at Levittown Memorial.

LEAD stands for Levittown Educators Against Drugs. The purpose of LEAD Week is to educate students about all substance abuse and to encourage students to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Students in each of the schools have been spending time preparing for LEAD. Week by making murals and doing different projects that will be on display at the fair on Sunday and in the schools throughout the week.

The LEAD Walk, which will start at 10:30 a.m. at Levittown Memorial, is a little different from the event that has taken place in the past. This year, rather than having the usual competitive 5K run, the district has chosen to hold a 1.5 mile family walk, which is a non-competitive event for students in grades K-12 and their families. According to John Kalaboukas, who is heading up the event this year, "It is just a non-competitive walk, really to encourage more participation because not everyone runs, not everyone wants to win a medal. We just like people to come and show their support against substance abuse."

The LEAD Fair is being headed up by the district-wide social worker, Susan Farkas. It will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Each of the schools will have a booth which will feature attractions such as hockey, basketball, face painting, a bean bag toss, a ring toss. There will also be clowns, popcorn and cotton candy. Local and county agencies will be on hand with information about drug and alcohol prevention and creating a healthy lifestyle. According to Farkas, "The purpose is to help the families and children learn about drug and alcohol prevention and alternatives so that they can have a healthy lifestyle."

The substance abuse education will continue at the schools throughout the week. Besides the students' work that will be on display, there will also be programs in the schools that stress healthy living and substance abuse prevention. Each student who completes the LEAD Walk will receive a commemorative button to wear throughout the week to signify their commitment to living healthy and staying substance free. Kalaboukas points out that substance abuse includes all substances, such as alcohol and tobacco, rather than just drugs.

This week has become a community event. The PTAs have gotten involved as well as the business community who have also provided their support for these educational events. Kalaboukas explained, "There has always been community involvement in this event." Even though it has become a community event, the idea behind the walk, the fair, and the week is really geared toward the students in hopes that what they learn during this week will stick with them and they will want to remain substance free.

Farkas concluded, "It raises their awareness and understanding and helps them make, I believe, better choices."