PROM NIGHT DRAMA

A healthy discussion with your teenager may make prom night a little easier. Here are some articles on prom and alcohol, drugs, sex and more that may make those talks more comfortable and prom a little safer.

http://decoder.drugfree.org/category/education/high-school/prom/
http://decoder.drugfree.org/2010/04/29/for-a-safe-prom-night-parents-please-don%E2%80%99t-serve-alcohol-to-teens/

Here's a great book for teens written by a teen. Chandler Dewitt writes about choices youth make from junior high through young adulthood. It is a great book for teens who are transitioning from grade school, junior high and even high school seniors- a graduation gift that keeps on giving! Visit this link for details. http://www.connectwithkids.com/insideout/index.shtml

CDC SURVEY LOOKS AT GRADES

Check out the Center for Disease Control and Prevention survey of our nation's youth.

What is the relationship between alcohol and other drug use and academic achievement?
Data presented below from the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) show a negative association between alcohol and other drug use and academic achievement after controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, and grade level. This means that students with higher grades are less likely to engage in alcohol and other drug use behaviors than their classmates with lower grades, and students who do not engage in alcohol and other drug use behaviors receive higher grades than their classmates who do engage in alcohol and other drug use behaviors.

Not surprising to adults but, something to share with Lawrence Youth who may not see the correlation.

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/pdf/alcohol_other_drug.pdf

TEEN TRANSITIONS TO NEW SCHOOLS

The research-based guide “Transitions & Teens: A Guide for Parents” is available as a free download at TimeToTalk.org, and was created in consultation with parenting experts, psychologists and family therapists. The guide helps parents understand how transition periods—like back to school, starting a new school, divorce, and even financial trouble at home—can impact a child’s vulnerability to risky behaviors, including drugs and alcohol.

http://www.timetotalk.org/downloads/transition_guide_1c.pdf