Staples Principal “Pleased” With Underage Drinking Forum

The principal of Westport’s Staples High School said today he was “extremely pleased” with a discussion Wednesday night that focused on underage drinking.
John Dodig: will now confer with students. WN file photo

John Dodig, who had asked for parental input into the subject following drinking incidents at this year’s homecoming celebration, sent an e-mail to parents about the event co-hosted by the Westport Public Library and TEAM Westport.

“I was extremely pleased with last night’s Community Conversation at the Westport Public Library,” he said.

“Thanks to the skills of Nick Rudd, all of the more than 200 attendees had an opportunity to be actively involved and to share ideas on the topic chosen for the evening.”

Dodig said someone asked him afterward what happens now.

“My answer is that I will work with sophomores and juniors (next year’s juniors and seniors) to plan for next year’s Homecoming event so that it is fun but not a repeat of what we experienced this year,” he said.

“For those of you who attended last night, I hope that you continue this conversation through groups like PTA, PYD, TEAM Westport, churches, synagogue, Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.”

Dodig said he sensed that those who took part in the discussion acknowledged “that the problem we had is a community/family problem and not simply a high school problem.”

He added: “I thank you for participating. I am sending this to all parents even if you were not there so that you know what was discussed at this meeting.

“I urge ALL of you to become involved in this matter so that we can continue to offer fun extracurricular activities for your children without having the negative experience we had at Homecoming.”

Dodig included in his message what he said was a transcript of what occurred during the forum.

Here is the text of that portion of the e-mail:

Library Director Maxine Bleiweis introduced Staples Principal John Dodig, who welcomed about 200 parents, some students and other interested members of the community to the McManus Room.

He briefly stated his wishes for the session: that others than he take on responsibility for students’ inappropriate behavior with alcohol.

The meeting used “Open Space Technology,” a process for participants to self-organize small group discussions on topics related to John’s theme before reporting out their conclusions.

Participants proposed 11 topics and formed small discussion groups, ranging in size from three to 40.

This is a transcript of what the discussion leaders presented to the large group, shown in the order of their presentation.

A. Educating parents and students on the effects of alcohol on the adolescent’s developing brain (research and outcomes)

Community education will require efforts at creating ongoing awareness

• Library:
• Book discussion, i.e., Califano lecture
• Westport Reads
• Resources for parents
• If available , raise awareness
•  If not, do it
• Staples High School:
•  Mandatory classes for students and parents to enter the lottery for parking
• Include education on alcohol’s effects in entering students’ orientation programs
• Are SHS students now exposed to the effects of alcohol on the brain in the present curriculum?
• WestportNow:
• Series of articles/facts to raise awareness
•  Talking points for parents

B. Youth Education

1. Broaden educational opportunities for parents and kids to discuss/wider audience, e.g., incorporate into college planning/social piece

2. Provide opportunities through media outlets (subtle, don’t overload)

3. Increase exposure to real life tragedies, i.e., natural consequences as a deterrent

4. Increase understanding of personal responsibility (effect on others)

5. Shift the culture/social acceptance

• Peer education
• Parent modeling
• Public perception/reputation

C. Better utilization of alcohol- and drug-free venues like Toquet Hall

1) Dances with good bands or a DJ, who could be a student
• Youth choose bands
• College-age chaperones or just a few parents

2) Research/benchmark
• Do Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan and Wilton really have more fun than Westport? Why?

3) Does Westport need more than just one venue?

4) Friday is a better night than Saturday (though both work)

5) Is there some way to preview the band, perhaps by advertising before they appear, and then vote on whether or not they appear?
• Good Morning, Staples
• Pre-show interview

D. The role of stress in causing drinking among teens (who use alcohol to self-medicate as a coping strategy)

• Kids hide stress, so parents need to be alert

• Stress comes from many sources, including stress that is self-inflicted

• When you see signs of stress, be proactive

• Turn to the school and its resources for help

• Be ready to listen, to listen, to listen without judgment. Acknowledge the benefits of sharing.

E. Parents and Police

• Be a parent, not a friend (don’t leave $20 on the table to take a cab)

• Parents tip off police about parties – use Facebook

• Kids should know they could be checked and suspicious ones will not be allowed in

• Kids home at a reasonable hour

• Kids bring parents to Alcohol Ed in school for credit

• Shift the culture – use a PR campaign

F. More parental responsibility

• Parents are looking away

• Safe Rides being used by too many kids, especially in the 9th and 10th grades

• Alcohol should be removed or locked up in the house; most kids get alcohol from their parents’ supplies

• Parental peer pressure – parents need to observe “host” laws

• It’s illegal to drink. Period. Not driving that night is not enough!

• Parental Pledge Directory (Trumbull), a reference list of “safe” houses where parents have publicly pledged that no drinking will occur

• Coaches need to enforce contracts that all players sign

G. How do we get parents involved/educated in underage drinking?

This applies to both middle school and high school parents

• Summer mailing: recipe/what to do/programs

• John Dodig communications

• Back to school message

• Letter before events where drinking is likely to occur, e.g., Homecoming, Prom

• Mandatory event

• Health

• Student and parent participation

• Substance use/abuse

• Parent blog, to share ideas, concerns

• Consent form, not just for athletes but for all students

H. How to cultivate positive peer influence to change drinking behavior?

• Community kid conversation (like this one, but for students)

• Develop awareness campaign (similar to tobacco), e.g., “You booze, you lose”

• Student tribunals

• Peer review/peer code

• Incremental consequences (that get worse and bigger as behavior warrants)

• Identify and incentivize a value system

I. Consequences and disciplinary actions

Discussion fell into three overlapping areas:

1. Legal (laws)
2. School (rules)
3. Parental acknowledgment

• Word needs to be gotten out about laws affecting this behavior, including the “host” laws in tonight’s handout

• Rules need to be clear and enforced consistently. Involve kids in making them. The school can leverage the parents.

• Use the Honor Code. Have contracts signed by both parents and students.

• Judiciary committee

J. What measures can we take to prevent incidents like this at future Staples events?

• Advance actions and communications

• Parent communications

• Waivers

• Advance ticket sales

• Prevention on the day of an event

• Regulating beach drinking/motorcade

• Starting events earlier and limiting access

• Enforcement

• Calling parents

• Breathalyzing

• Arresting, if necessary

K. Motorcade

• Potential for disaster too great to continue as is

• But most kids and many parents feel it’s a tradition worth continuing, i.e., brings the entire senior class together

• Because it’s not a school event, we must look to parents, police and students

• Principal can advise kids of community sentiment and tell them this may be the last year if the motorcade is not managed properly and kids can support that message

• Need to invite police to get more involved

• Presence at beach

• Police cars at front and back of motorcade

• Obvious drinkers not allowed