Holton has a mandatory evening alcohol symposium for 10th graders and at least one of their parents that’s done well. Goes beyond just warning kids, and includes a section on different types of parent attitudes regarding alcohol and statistically which ones are less likely to lead to heavy drinking in kids than others (compares ramifications of those that provide alcohol, those that don’t provide but ignore, those that allow it for family celebrations, etc). Gives parents good insight and creates an opportunity for good parent child conversation (yes you can do this without school, but it facilitates open dialogue when all your classmates are having similar conversations).

Flint Hill has health class which covers it in 9th grade in depth.

I know the conversation is also introduced even earlier than that.

It’s continued with 2-3 guest speakers/ a few lessons on it in advisory every year.

(To my understanding)

Overall, I’ve been happy with it. However, these are also conversations that are vital to continue to have at home IMO; I send articles of stories that show the danger of misuse to my kids every once in a while when I come across them- highly recommend.

Holton does

OP, yes, Sidwell does. In middle school as part of science and in the self-care program, in middle school more explicitly, and in high school annually (plus additional events and discussions). Maybe before stating “Sidwell doesn’t” you could, you know, ask your kids, or the school. And as far as whether the death of a junior last year should have been used as a teachable moment, I am actually quite relieved that the school left the decision about whether to go into the specifics of their child’s death to the family. Especially since this child has multiple siblings in the dc community, who are of course processing the death of a beloved brother.

Anonymous wrote:NCS does a whole day. I listened to quite a lot of it the year the kids were home when Covid lock downs were happening. I thought it was excellent and actually learned a lot myself about all the different kinds of drugs, names etc. Plus chemical engineering of weed now means 30x more potency etc etc. I think it is very important these kids are informed before they decide to take some random pill at a party. Hopefully this day will give them the ability to make better decisions.

Agreed. I thought NCS did a great job.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our school (SFS) does not (as far as I have been able to learn) conduct any health-oriented or other presentations along the lines of "Just Say No" (the variation my generation heard). This is disappointing for a couple reasons, not the least of which is that last school year, a Sidwell junior overdosed. The school had a teaching opportunity there, which they didn't take.

Do other area independent schools do any of this type of teaching? Sidwell has "health relationship / health online behavior" workshops, but not drugs/alcohol. Seems like a missed opportunity.

Just asked my SFS ‘24 who told me they have this once a year in HS - one of the days where they do speakers etc. it’s always people coming in and sharing their stories. Also was touched in a bit in SFS MS. Email Robbie Gross AP for Academic Affairs for confirmation.

I talked with my SFS '23 who told me the same thing. He thinks they do a good job of covering it -- not too heavy-handed.

Middle school parents at all schools should talk to parents of high school kids in addition to reading the news about Fentanyl and understand what their kids and they will be facing in a couple of years as their kids get older. Fentanyl is in so much and it is so deadly. Kids should assume that a pill or “gummy” or anything given to them by a friend or anyone who is not their doctor contains Fentanyl and will kill them. Ideally, schools teach this and about drugs and alcohol generally every year starting in 6th grade. Parents should do the same and get to know and get on the same page with the parents of their kid’s friends and classmates.

Sidwell 6th graders are studying toxicology, including the affect that substances can have in the body, in science class right now. The Sidwell Middle School counselors are also really really good. I think it is worth asking schools directly what they do to cover this topic.

current student -- they didn't turn the overdose into a 'teachable moment' because the family wanted to keep the cause of death private. we all heard that it was an od through the grapevine months later. as for drug/alcohol prevention training, Sidwell does a decent amount. we've had entire days of programming dedicated to it, plus it is weaved into the 9th grade studies curriculum.

Education is not going to make parties alcohol free. The goal is to help a higher percentage of students to make good decisions.

Anonymous wrote:SAES has a mandatory seminar with student and parents plus seminar for just students.

It wasn't very effective though. My daughter was at at a party and there was alcohol.

Anonymous wrote:Our school (SFS) does not (as far as I have been able to learn) conduct any health-oriented or other presentations along the lines of "Just Say No" (the variation my generation heard). This is disappointing for a couple reasons, not the least of which is that last school year, a Sidwell junior overdosed. The school had a teaching opportunity there, which they didn't take.

Do other area independent schools do any of this type of teaching? Sidwell has "health relationship / health online behavior" workshops, but not drugs/alcohol. Seems like a missed opportunity.

Just asked my SFS ‘24 who told me they have this once a year in HS - one of the days where they do speakers etc. it’s always people coming in and sharing their stories. Also was touched in a bit in SFS MS. Email Robbie Gross AP for Academic Affairs for confirmation.

NCS does a whole day. I listened to quite a lot of it the year the kids were home when Covid lock downs were happening. I thought it was excellent and actually learned a lot myself about all the different kinds of drugs, names etc. Plus chemical engineering of weed now means 30x more potency etc etc. I think it is very important these kids are informed before they decide to take some random pill at a party. Hopefully this day will give them the ability to make better decisions.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, Sidwell explicitly does this in “9th Grade Studies”. DS is 2022 grad.

9th grade is much too late. This should start in 6th and continue through 12th. It should not be a one-time event to meet minimum expectations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAES has a mandatory seminar with student and parents plus seminar for just students.

Yes, St. Andrew's does, but it didn't see to be very effective. Our daughter attended a homecoming party and alcohol was present. The parents who's house the kids were in knew and did nothing.

This is a parent issue. SAES can’t police what parents do in their homes.