FRONTIER SCHOOLS
Program eyed for parents on drug threat
The Frontier School District may soon be joining the ranks of local districts educating parents about the dangers of drugs and alcohol use by children.
The district is looking at implementing a drug and alcohol parent forum that would begin next fall and target the families of eighth-graders, instead of older high schoolers.
“This is becoming very popular in the county, but we want to be a little bit different than the other districts,” said Robert Klimowicz, a Frontier health teacher representing the district’s Health Advisory Committee. “Most [programs] target grades 10 through 12. We’d like to do it at the eighth-grade level. Statistics show kids try drugs and alcohol as young as seventh and eighth grade.”
Orchard Park schools were one of the latest to propose a youth drug and alcohol seminar for parents before the spring prom. Eden recently began one, and Lake Shore’s program has been in place since at least fall 2006.
Klimowicz gave a presentation to the Frontier School Board Tuesday called “Making the Right Choice.” The board did not take action on the proposal.
“We’re in a constant effort to keep our kids strong and safe against the abuse of substances,” he said. “This is not a program to teach parents how to parent, but to teach them of drugs, alcohol and prescription drugs, and the liability of hosting parties.”
He and other committee members noted that younger students — in the middle school age group — are in a tough period of growth and mixing with new peer groups. “This is the best time to reach these parents and get our message across,” he said.
The district, which would work in tandem with the Hamburg Town Police on the program, is looking at requiring every parent or legal guardian to attend a 90- minute forum prior to their child entering high school. One parent for each student would be required, and parents would be asked to participate again every four years for younger children.
Approximately three to five dates would be scattered throughout the school year, offering parents the chance to make one of the meetings.
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