Starting Private High School - Culture Seems Permissive

[Anonymous]

Are we really discussing the benefits of providing alcohol to children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like GDS. Should've keep her in public.

+1

[Anonymous]

I know this is an old post but I am wondering if private schools do anything if they hear about underage parties with alcohol and drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this is an old post but I am wondering if private schools do anything if they hear about underage parties with alcohol and drugs.

My sense is that just "hearing" about it doesn't trigger disciplinary action -- there needs to be either some connection to the school (such as coming drunk to a school event); some sort of law enforcement activity (students arrested or cited); and/or some sort of incident involving conflict between students (e.g. a fight). I'm sure there could be other non-disciplinary responses, including efforts to educate the school's parent body and student body, of course.

[Anonymous]

I just heard about a party with alcohol and drugs - with the parents there - for 9th graders! Police came in to break it up. But this is all from other parents and kids talking and not the school. I wasn't sure if the school should do or say something. We are new there and I am kinda appalled this even happen. Supposedly the mom is one of the rich moms who donates and helps out a lot, so maybe the school won't say anything?

[Anonymous]

There not a lot the school can do I don't think other than lots of communication with parents asking them not to host parties with alcohol. (But there are always parents who do. Everywhere.) Our school has assemblies to educate the kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and does breathalyzers for all kids entering a dance.

All high schools have students who are drinking and using drugs. I have not seen much difference in the amount between public or private. One good thing about private schools is that if you are found under the influence at school or with drugs or alcohol in your possession, you can be expelled, and that definitely happens.

Your kid will experience this at some point regardless. I would make sure she knows your expectations and knows how to get herself out of an uncomfortable situation. And be that parent who calls the hosts of parties or stops in to make sure parents are there and they are supervising. (Even with supervision, kids sneak stuff in...) but your best tools are a good relationship with your kid and good communication with other parents!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just heard about a party with alcohol and drugs - with the parents there - for 9th graders! Police came in to break it up. But this is all from other parents and kids talking and not the school. I wasn't sure if the school should do or say something. We are new there and I am kinda appalled this even happen. Supposedly the mom is one of the rich moms who donates and helps out a lot, so maybe the school won't say anything?

Would you mind sharing the school's name?

[Anonymous]

Every school has drugs and alcohol available. Every single school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There not a lot the school can do I don't think other than lots of communication with parents asking them not to host parties with alcohol. (But there are always parents who do. Everywhere.) Our school has assemblies to educate the kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and does breathalyzers for all kids entering a dance.

All high schools have students who are drinking and using drugs. I have not seen much difference in the amount between public or private. One good thing about private schools is that if you are found under the influence at school or with drugs or alcohol in your possession, you can be expelled, and that definitely happens.

Your kid will experience this at some point regardless. I would make sure she knows your expectations and knows how to get herself out of an uncomfortable situation. And be that parent who calls the hosts of parties or stops in to make sure parents are there and they are supervising. (Even with supervision, kids sneak stuff in...) but your best tools are a good relationship with your kid and good communication with other parents!

Not if the other parents are hosting 9th grade drinking parties. WTH?!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just heard about a party with alcohol and drugs - with the parents there - for 9th graders! Police came in to break it up. But this is all from other parents and kids talking and not the school. I wasn't sure if the school should do or say something. We are new there and I am kinda appalled this even happen. Supposedly the mom is one of the rich moms who donates and helps out a lot, so maybe the school won't say anything?

Would you mind sharing the school's name?

Landon and Holton

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just heard about a party with alcohol and drugs - with the parents there - for 9th graders! Police came in to break it up. But this is all from other parents and kids talking and not the school. I wasn't sure if the school should do or say something. We are new there and I am kinda appalled this even happen. Supposedly the mom is one of the rich moms who donates and helps out a lot, so maybe the school won't say anything?

Would you mind sharing the school's name?

Landon and Holton

Oh..I was going to say GDS. A kid got taken away in an ambulance. The parents were home and sanctioned the party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our kids came from money and went to public school in Virginia. They all now admit to having tried drugs in high school. They all ended up fine. They all insisted that their private school friends and acquaintances (including from the so-called Big 3) did far more drugs than they or their public school friends did. Some parents seem to think they can buy their kids' safety by sending them to private schools. Often, all they are buying is more trouble.

Wow, PP, your kids came from money? Is this some new breakthrough in genetic manipulation? My kids came from my womb.

[Anonymous]

It's general folklore among public school students that the wealthier private school kids use more drugs and alcohol because they can afford it. May or may not be true. Ask Doug Gansler the consequences of Landon's tradition of frat house partying. But, there isn't a high school in the country without a drunken party every weekend - with or without parental knowledge/consent.

As someone who thinks it is idiotic for any parent to allow underage/illegal substance use at their house, the pertinent question is what the school does about it. We all have our own approaches with our DCs. The schools need to be strong partners in harm reduction and safety. Do they only give DARE type education or do they provide better strategies to avoid/delay teen use? Do they actively discourage/threaten parents from sponsoring parties with open drinking? Do they push all parents hosting parties to institute specific measures to avoid drug and alcohol use like checking names?

[Anonymous]

I call troll OP. Unless you live under a rock you would know that the issue of drinking/drugs has been a big issue for publics/privates since the late 1960s. So, unless you homeschooled your kid you would have known that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just heard about a party with alcohol and drugs - with the parents there - for 9th graders! Police came in to break it up. But this is all from other parents and kids talking and not the school. I wasn't sure if the school should do or say something. We are new there and I am kinda appalled this even happen. Supposedly the mom is one of the rich moms who donates and helps out a lot, so maybe the school won't say anything?

Would you mind sharing the school's name?

Landon and Holton

Oh..I was going to say GDS. A kid got taken away in an ambulance. The parents were home and sanctioned the party.

Why was the kid taken away in an ambulance?