Grade 8: Informed Parents, Healthy Kids
Parents/guardians of eighth graders were invited to a parent coffee this week to hear from a representative of Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD). Kari Yuen worked with students this week to promote healthy lifestyles among young people. Over the course of four days, she held workshops to get students talking about their perceptions, influences and choices. She earned their trust by speaking from her own experience. A former country day school student, she was first exposed to cigarettes in eighth grade. After 13 years of addiction to alcohol and other drugs, she is in long-term recovery.
Parents/guardians of eighth graders were invited to a parent coffee this week to hear from a representative of Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD). Kari Yuen worked with students this week to promote healthy lifestyles among young people. Over the course of four days, she held workshops to get students talking about their perceptions, influences and choices. She earned their trust by speaking from her own experience. A former country day school student, she was first exposed to cigarettes in eighth grade. After 13 years of addiction to alcohol and other drugs, she is in long-term recovery.
During the parent discussion, Kari shared that most addiction begins with alcohol and nicotine. She introduced a variety of topics and encouraged parents to speak up:
- Do all teens “experiment?”
- Is it OK for parents to let a child have wine or an occasional beer at home?
- How do you know when alcohol and other drugs are a problem?
- What do you do when a child shares info about another child engaged in risky behavior?
- How do you respond when kids ask about your own experimentation as a teen?
- How do you talk about media portrayal of alcohol use?
She also described the surging popularity of e-cigarettes like the Juul brand that are perceived to be safer than cigarettes but are actually a very aggressive nicotine delivery system.
Finally, Kari discussed social norms and the misconception that “everyone” is experimenting. The facts show that across the US the majority of children are drug- and alcohol-free. She encouraged parents with these words: “Studies show that children who get through middle and high school without relying on alcohol or drugs are the most likely to get through college the same way because they have the maturity and experience to handle stress and relationship issues on their own.”
For more information and resources, please see the FCD website: www.fcd.org or email schools@fcd.org.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
