Fears of teen drug and alcohol abuse and other dangerous behaviors have prompted a high school in New York to schedule junior and senior proms for school nights. Students who do not show up for school the day after prom will be unable to make up their academic work, and will not be allowed to participate in sports.

• Pearl River High School administrators scheduled junior prom for a Wednesday night, and senior prom on a Sunday.
  
• This extreme measure is an attempt to curtail excessive partying and drinking that can often last an entire weekend.
• Principal Bill Furdon said after-prom parties were overshadowing the prom itself. Students were leaving the school dance as early as 10 o'clock to go into Manhattan and hit the nightclubs.
  
• Many students enrolled in other schools near New York City do the same, and parents worry about prom events involving too much drinking and excessive spending.
  

Most students at Pearl River High School are unhappy with the new policy, telling administrators that they believe they are being punished for behaviors of classes that went before them.

Furdon noted that this year's juniors and seniors will be treated to a breakfast of eggs, sausage, and bacon the morning after prom, courtesy of the PTA.

Labels: high school, prom, prevention

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

Parents of teenagers often approach prom season with a combination of excitement and worry. They’re excited for their kids to have fun, and participate in one of the quintessential markers of adolescence. But they’re worried about some of the activities associated with prom night – especially teen drug and alcohol abuse.

“As prom season approaches, there are many things that parents can do to strengthen their child’s ability to make sound choices, according to Family & Youth Options… Get involved in the initial planning stages and focus on decision making: determine who, what, when and where for each portion of the evening and let your teen know you expect to be included in plan changes and updates.” [Source: Wilton (CT) Bulletin]

As you’re planning, make sure the night doesn’t just consist of the activities you want for your teen; let him express his ideas and have enough autonomy to make some of the choices. Be prepared for your teen to test boundaries. Don’t overreact. Instead, give your child the opportunity to explain his decision and his process for making that decision.

 

Labels: prom, drug use, alcohol

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments