Contract designed to facilitate communication between young people and their parents about potentially destructive decisions.

This contract is designed to facilitate communication between young people and their parents about potentially destructive decisions related to alcohol, drugs, peer pressure, and risky behavior.  The issues facing young people today are often too difficult for them to address alone.  SADD believes that effective parent-child communication is critically important in helping young adults to make healthy decisions.   Young Person           I recognize that there are many potentially destructive decisions I face every day and commit to you that I will do everything in my power to avoid making decisions that will jeopardize my health, my safety and overall well-being, or your trust in me.  I understand the dangers associated with the use of alcohol and drugs and the destructive behaviors often associated with impairment.           By signing below, I pledge my best effort to remain free from alcohol and drugs; I agree that I will never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, I agree that I will never ride with an impaired driver, I agree that I will always wear a seat belt, and I agree to never drive drowsy or use my cell phone while driving.           Finally, I agree to call you if I am ever in a situation that threatens my safety and to communicate with you regularly about issues of importance to both of us.             _______________________________           Young Person     Parent (or Caring Adult)           I am committed to you and to your health and safety.  By signing below, I pledge to do everything in my power to understand and communicate with you about the many difficult and potentially destructive decisions you face.           Further, I agree to provide for you safe, sober transportation home if you are ever in a situation that threatens your safety and to defer discussions about that situation until a time when we can both have a discussion in a calm and caring manner.   I also pledge to you that I will not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, I will always seek safe, sober transportation home, I will always wear a seat belt, and will never drive drowsy or use my cell phone while driving.   _____________________________________ Parent/Caring Adult

Every 15 Minutes Committee working more projects to help our teens make safe and responsible decisions.

Every 15 Minutes will return to Magruder HS in 2011.  However, the Every 15 Minutes Committee is active this year with other projects to help our teens make safe and responsible decisions.  Our focus this year is empowering students to get an adult involved if they know a peer is in harm’s way, whether that means being in an abusive relationship, using drugs or alcohol, thinking of running away from home, or any behavior that puts the friend/classmate/team member at risk for danger.  Many teens refrain from seeking adult help because they don’t want to “betray” the friend, be the “snitch” or they fear retaliation.   Here are four resources to report such a problem anonymously:   The Student Assistance Program:  Students can write their concern on a form and leave it in the box in the Main Office.  Faculty sponsors are Mrs. Zoraida Madilena Monterrosa and Mr. Ed Hsu.  This program will be actively promoted this year so students are aware of this option.   SAFE net is specifically for underage drinking matters: 301-670-SAFE, information can be left anonymously, give details: date, time, location, what you have heard or observed   Here is the web address to report information online:   SAFEnet safenet@montgomerycountymd.gov   An online, Montgomery County resource providing information on youth alcohol issues. Community members can e-mail related questions and receive updated alcohol prevention information.       MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR CONTROL, MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE, DRAWING THE LINE ON UNDER 21 ALCOHOL USE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY SAFE AND DRUG FREE SCHOOLS, MONTGOMERY COUNTYC RECREATION DEPT   For ANY concern about a youth at risk for ANY danger or threat to his/her health (cutting and other self-mutilation, pregnancy or STD’s, depression or suicide risk, etc.):   301-279-8000, police non emergency line, especially useful when the information is currently happening, give the details: date, time, location, what you have observed or heard, this can be done anonymously, they will forward the information to the officers who patrol the district or to the alcohol enforcement unit.   911, when there is the life in danger, weapons present, other safety hazards.   Please share this information with your teens, talk with them regularly, and be aware of “red flags” indicating a possible problem.   If you are interested in joining the Every 15 Minutes Committee, or know of other resources our teens can use to help a peer in trouble, please contact Patty Winters at patty.winters@verizon.net or 301-519-7537.

More Help to Prevent – or Stop – Drug or Alcohol Abuse by Our Teens

Do you really have the latest information on the current drug and alcohol culture among our teenagers?   Need ideas on how to supervise your teen’s party or prevent their guests from using illegal substances in your home?    Want a good free resource, including what to do if you suspect or know your teen or his/her friend is using drugs or alcohol?   Click on these links to sign up with The Partnership for a Drug-Free America.  You will receive regular e-mails covering these and other related topics.     www.drugfree.org  and  www.timetotalk.org     Click here for information on the Adult Host Responsibility and penalties in Montgomery County   This announcement is provided as a service from the Every 15 Minutes Committee.  Every 15 Minutes will return to Magruder HS in 2011.  Our focus this year is how to empower teenagers to get an adult involved if they know a peer is in harm’s way, without letting fear of retaliation or “being a snitch” interfere with getting help.  If you are interested in joining us or have questions, please contact Patty Winters at patty.winters@verizon.net, or 301-519-7537.

Special Opportunity for Freshman Parents

Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to reach hundreds of teenagers on making responsible choices as a driver or passenger?  And to meet and work with scores of wonderful parents, staff, and community members who go beyond the extra mile for the sake of our teens?  And for free?   I am looking for a Freshman parent to join me as Program Coordinator for our Every 15 Minutes 2011 event, to prepare to take the helm for the 2013 event.   FAQ’s:   What is Every 15 Minutes, anyway?   Every 15 Minutes is a national driver awareness program designed for high school Juniors and Seniors.  Its name comes from the statistic when it was founded over twenty years ago, that someone died from an alcohol-related collision every fifteen minutes.  In 2007, the US DOT reported this fatality rate to be one every forty minutes.  The decline is believed to be a result, in part, of interactive programs such as Every 15 Minutes.   What happens during Every 15 Minutes?   The event is held over 2 days, usually close to Prom, because of the high incidence of underage drinking at that time.  On Day 1, the Grim Reaper pulls a student (who has been accepted through the application process, which requires parental consent) from class every fifteen minutes throughout the day, to represent the statistic.  That student becomes a “Living Dead” and attends the remainder of her classes with makeup to look dead and does not interact with anyone.    At midday, all Juniors and Seniors witness a simulated rescue scene, with actual police and emergency vehicles responding.  The “drunk driver” student is arrested and hand-cuffed in front of his peers, and a passenger is transported to Shady Grove Adventist Emergency Room, where staff participate in a simulated failed attempt to save her life.   After school, the Living Dead and rescue scene participants go to Pumphrey’s Funeral Home, where the director speaks to them about what parents go through when they have to bury a loved one who died from irresponsible driving.  From Pumphrey’s, they go on an overnight retreat where they share stories, listen to speakers and write to their loved ones about how the Every 15 Minutes experience has affected them.   On Day 2, all Juniors and Seniors attend an assembly which includes a video of highlights from Day 1, guest speakers, and some of the student participants read the letters they wrote at the retreat.   Following the assembly, the program concludes with a meal to celebrate their growth and good choices, and parents and special guests are welcome.     Why start now for a 2013 event?   Although work for the 2011 program begins in August, 2010, I encourage everyone interested in helping at any level to join the Every 15 Minutes Committee in our “off year.”  We will be working on how to improve the ’11 program and help our teens uphold the lessons learned from the ’09 event.   You will learn more about the program and be better able to decide what role you want to play in helping our teens become safe and responsible drivers and passengers.    Time to brag!   The Magruder High School 2009 Every 15 Minutes was stellar because we had awesome students committed to the program, and thanks to shining parents and citizens in the community, parts of our program are unique in Montgomery County, such as the simulated hearing and sentencing scene by a Maryland District Court Judge.   We also included a cross-section of our student body and addressed other dangerous behaviors including texting, speeding, drowsy driving, and not buckling the seat belt.   Not only were there NO alcohol-related events at our 2009 Prom, one of our participants reported attending an after-prom party with friends at a private residence where alcohol was served, and they all left because of what they learned from Every 15 Minutes.  These are just some of our success stories!    Want to learn more?   --If you have not already done so, please sign up with the Magruder HS Information and PTSA list-serves (links on MHS website) and check the PTSA website regularly to stay informed about related meetings and opportunities.   --Visit this link to see part of our 2009 program which was included in Leon Harris’ “Drive to Stay Alive” April 28 episode on WJLA:  http://cfc.wjla.com/wmvstream.cfm?file=mms://video.wjla.com/wjla/teendrivingspecial12192008.wmv&stat=wjla   You can also visit the Every15Minutes.com website, or type “Every15Minutes” in the Youtube search box to see how other schools across the nation have held the program (there is no Magruder Youtube, but you can see some from other MCPS high schools).   --Contact me at patty.winters@verizon.net, or Home: 301-519-87537, or Cell: 240-421-7166.  I would love to hear from you and will do my best to answer any of your questions.