|
In order to assist you as the primary educator of your children, we have committed to providing you with three Pillar in Action newsletters a year. Each of these newsletters will follow a specific theme that ties to one or more of our mission pillars. The content of these newsletters is created by the faculty and staff of BFCCPS.
If you have any questions or would like further information on any of the information included in this newsletter, please contact Mr. Perna. Previous issues are archived here.
|
|
|
Grade 5 D.A.R.E Graduation |
|
A few years ago, we had a representative from
FCD Prevention Works present at a Pillar Night for Parents. Our friends at FCD Prevention Works indicate that you role as the Parent as Primary Educator is absolutely key in the prevention of alcohol and drug use:
"P
arents and families make all the difference when it comes to keeping kids safe from substance abuse.
Research shows that many students do not drink alcohol or use other drugs because they do not want to disappoint their parents. The positive influence of strong parental support in making healthy decisions has been long stated by research.
Th
e Partnership at Drugfree.org contends that when children are taught the risks of substance use by their parents, these young people are up to half less likely to experience problems with addiction later in life.
In our FCD Student Attitudes and Behavior Survey, we ask students about the role of parental monitoring, supervision and support in their daily lives. What we consistently find is that students whose parents are most invested and who set the clearest family rules are the students making the healthiest choices about substance use.
We also know from our surveys that parents have much more influence on their children's decision to use or not use than they may think. When we ask students, "Whose opinion matters the most to you when you make decisions about alcohol and other drug use?" we find that students unanimously declare their parents' opinions more important than those of teachers, coaches, older students or peers. In some school communities, kids tell us that what their parents have to say matters more to them than even their own opinions, especially during the middle school years and as they transition to high school."
We encourage you to read
this fact sheet from Partnership for Drug-Free Kids to find a variety of age-appropriate discussion tips covering everything from the safe use of vitamins and over the counter medicines to the risks involved with alcohol and marijuana.
|
Prevention in the Family: An Online Q&A for Teen Health Promotion
There's no manual for raising a healthy kid. Parents receive plenty of conflicting information from a variety of sources. As a result, you or the parents around you may have a lot of questions about how to help teens live safe, healthy, rewarding lives, without unhealthy alcohol and other drug risks. And of course, parents are busy and short on time!
Please join FCD Prevention Works for a
quick parent Q&A webinars on June 20th at 9pm. You can log-in from the comfort of your home, office, or other favorite internet hotspot. An FCD Prevention Specialist will answer your questions about substance use prevention from a health perspective.
Some topics may be cover during these live, online sessions include:
- What is vaping, JUULing, etc.?
- How do I keep my kids away from it?
- Should I address my own alcohol or other drug use as a young person with my children?
- How can I initiate prevention conversations with my kids?
- Is it okay to let my child drink occasionally?
- What are the current trends in alcohol and other drug use among teens?
We invite school adults to share this invitation with any parents they think may benefit from these brief information-packed sessions.
Click here to register
|
The database at the American Association of Poison control indicated that over 20,000 kids per year need medical help due to medicine mistakes or misuse.
Did you know that two-thirds of teens and young adults who report abuse of prescription medicine are getting it from friends, family and acquaintances? (
source: Partnership for Drug Free Kids) T
here are a simple precautions you can take to help eliminate the risk of medicine misuse in your home.
To reduce the risk of misuse, you can
purchase a locking medicine cabinet, or medicine safe available at local drugstores or even on Amazon.com. Please
also be sure to s
afely dispose of any un-needed or expired medications from your home. You can use this
Drug Disposal Locator
to find locations close to you.
Post the number for poison control prominently in your home and add to your mobile phone:
1-800-222-1222
Additional online resources are as follows:
|
Statistics indicate that even despite awareness campaigns the use of e-cigarettes is growing in teens! We urge all parents to learn more and continue to discuss the risks of vaping with your children.
A previous BFCCPS Pillar Newsletter on the topic of vaping is linked
here. Additional r
esources for parents are linked below:
|
"
Studies have consistently shown that children who are involved in co- and extra-curricular activities are less likely to use substances. Students can be engaged in school, community, charity, scouting or religious groups and activities, depending on their interests, skills and passions. Not only do these activities take up otherwise idle or unsupervised time in an adolescent's schedule, but participation can also encourage a strengthened sense of identity, community, and direction within a student - all reasons not to use substances. Fitting regular activities into children's schedules also makes it that much easier for parents to monitor their children's time." (source: FCD Prevention Works)
|
With the nice weather finally here, we know children are outside enjoying the fresh air and the start of summer. We live in a generally safe community, however it's always wise for children to bike, walk or run with a buddy.
Below you will find some resources to hold a family discussion regarding personal safety; we ask that you have a heightened awareness of safety precautions for your children in light of recent incidents of stranger encounters.
-
You can find a variety of parent tips
on this site
provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
|
|
