6. Focus Area 1 – Parents

Follow-up on party buses for MHS formal dances

Party buses for formal dances – HOMECOMING DANCE – Saturday, September 24

SWEET HEARTS DANCE – Saturday, February 18 PROM – Friday, May 11

 SITUATION: A “party bus” is hired by parent to deliver kids to dinner, the dance, and sometimes an “after party”.

CONCERN: The bus can become a party (drinking, smoking, etc) without adult supervision and some students don’t get to the dance. • Low parental awareness of “illegal” and unsafe activities on bus. • Low parental awareness of liability should there be a health or legal concern.

MHS position:   “The MHS administrative team does not support the use of party buses.” Dave Adney, Principal  

b. Parent Networking DirectoryParents sign an annual pledge and are included in networking directory.• Six years at MHS

2008-09: 570 families2009-10: 690 families2010-11: 1052 families2011-12: 915 families

• Three years at middle schools

2009-10: 650 families2010-11: 644 families2011-12: ~ 725 families – Posted this week, arriving in homes next week.

                   Visit from the authors  Chris (mom) and Toren (son) Voklkmann February 28, 2012

Planned activities:     Book discussion groups, lunch panel discussion with prevention and community leaders, student presentations and community presentation 2

Key messages 1. Addiction is a disease, not a failure or a weakness. 2. Addiction can happen to anyone – contributing factors can include: Genetic, early use, abuse, trauma, mental health issues. 3. Families and individuals struggling with this issue deserve our compassion and support. 4. Stigma stifles action. 5. “Rethinking Drinking” - consider the alcohol use norms in your

family - you don’t have to be “addicted” to have a sometimes negative relationship with alcohol. 6. Think about the popularity among teens and young adults of binge drinking and consider the consequences.

c. Our Community Reads 2012          book selection

ii. Panel discussion

Luncheon – where?Panel members

Facilitator - Imogen

iii. Fundraising for Our Community Reads 2012

• Need to raise $10,000– PTAs already contributed $1000– Relate Counseling pledged support

• Asks out for: – Hazelden– South Lake Pediatrics– Lakeview Medical Clinic– The Retreat– The Marsh – housing and food– Minnetonka Wellness Committee – staff involvement

e. Parent Survey Results

• Approx. 1680 tabulated • Once compiled and analyzed, stats will be used to support parent messages.• Comments echoed “parent bullets” emphasized for several years

Some results

If my child was using drugs or alcohol and other adults heard that they were using, I would want them to tell me.       92.2%  Strongly agreed        7.6%   Agree      0.2%   Disagree 

0.0%   Strongly Disagree 

If I had strong reasons to believe my friend's child was using drugs or alcohol, I would tell them.           72.2%  Strongly Agree        26.7% Agree       1.1%  Disagree       0.0%  Strongly Disagree

Most Minnetonka parents do not allow underage drinking or drug use at their home.          

39.6%   Strongly Agree      56.0%   Agree      4.5%  Disagree                 0.0%  Strongly Disagree

60%

34%

6%

1%

I think it is always wrong for anyone under the age of 21 to drink al-cohol.

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree

Parent comments• Set a good example-don't drink & drive. Have fun without alcohol!

• Talk lots, talk often, be honest. Be good role model

• Don't drink themselves and don't allow alcohol in the house. Children learn by watching and think it's ok.

• Talk with your child about the consequences of alcohol use/abuse. Be sure you walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Make sure your kids know what your expectations are of them regarding the use of alcohol. Lastly if they find themselves in a situation in which they have been using alcohol, they need to know they can call you for help.

•Family time. Role model/mentoring healthy habits. Lots of communication, firm in conviction.

•1.) Be a good role model, 2.) Discuss concerns related to alcohol & drug use, esp-childhood dangers, consequences, harmful effects. 3.) Discuss peer pressure w/child and how to assertively say "no".

How can you prevent underage alcohol and drug use?

• Honor and model healthy choices. Consider hosting alcohol-free celebrations.

• Share accurate information. Learn the “why nots” for tobacco, marijuana and alcohol use.

Find reliable information at www.tonkacares.org.

• Be clear and vocal about your position on underage use. It matters. Kids who know their parents disapprove of use are

5 times less likely to use.

• Lock up liquor and prescription meds.

• Set and enforce curfews. Monitor your child's whereabouts and check in with other parents about plans.

Focus Area 2 - Youth

a. Reveal what’s Reali. Tonka CARES Ambassadors report

ii. Marijuana campaign componentsi. Posters/Floor pieces

November Breezes ad

2. Marijuana – staff training3. Webinar4. Key messages

iii. Tobacco Youth Recreation Update iv. Red Ribbon Week

Focus Area 3 – Policya. Social Host Ordinanceb. Prescription Drug Take-Back