Concerns with Drugs at School VAIL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 20 “Where Education is a Community Effort” April 2, 2007 Parents of Middle and High School Students in the Vail School District: We are most proud of our students. I could easily fill pages with lists of their many noteworthy accomplishments in academics, activities, athletics, and community service. We are also deeply concerned for our students. The purpose of this letter is to share some reasons for our concern. The following are a few things that have happened in just the past month: • Based on a tip from a parent, high school administrators investigated reports of cocaine use among students. None of the students talked about using or selling cocaine at school, but twelve students admitted to being involved with cocaine use at local parties. They told of making purchases in the parking lot of local businesses and parks. Parents of all the students were contacted. Four of the students were arrested and suspended for having drug paraphernalia and/or alcohol in their vehicles at school. • Again, based on a tip, another high school administrator in the district uncovered the sale of marijuana at school. Disciplinary action was taken. The administrator also reported hearing student accounts of ecstasy and cocaine use at local parties. • A group of middle school students and some high school students were involved in fights after school at the park in Rita Ranch. Students filmed the fights. Audio from the film revealed many students strongly encouraging the fighting with language laced with profanity. There was talk of putting the film on the internet (as occurred in a different fight situation at the park last year). Even though the event took place at the park, the school took disciplinary action against the students as the event occurred as students were on their way home from school. • Four distraught parents came to see me about a man in his twenties in Rita Ranch. He advertises himself as photographer of models and apparently manages several web sites distributing pictures of naked young women (one of his websites is: dougmarkwith.com/). The parents reported their daughters, their daughter’s friends and many other students are spending a lot of time at his house. Records of text messages between the young man and students reveal relationships and behaviors that most parents would find highly disturbing. Earlier this year we administered an anonymous survey to our high school students. The results provide further cause for concern: • 6% (over 120 students) said they had used cocaine in the last 30 days. • 23% (over 460 students) said they had been drunk or high in the last 30 days. Do not attempt to tag specific neighborhoods or schools with these problems. The problems or the potential for the problems exist everywhere in our community. In fact, it is important to realize these problems exist across our state and our country. While national in scope, these problems are best dealt with at the individual family, neighborhood, and school level
Phone: (520) 879-2000 • FAX: (520)879-2001
We know these problems are not going to be solved with a few special speakers and some additional rules. And, no solutions will be found in denial or blame. Rather, these problems require the ownership and involvement of responsible citizens throughout our community.
Our own Community Action Board will be struggling with these issues, as will our site councils and the Governing Board. I hope this letter stimulates many conversations among parents, school staff, and other community members to also take action.
Our schools will be looking critically at the programs and curriculum we use to address these issues. We will continue to be vigilant. We will continue to provide guidance and administer strong disciplinary action.
We have set up a phone number (879-1111) and email address (inform@vail.k12.az.us) for anyone to anonymously report behavior we should be aware of.
We will also listen to what you have to say. Please communicate your ideas to administrators and the members of governance and advisory groups referenced above.
As for your own children, please consider the following recommendations:
• Build and maintain strong, healthy relationships with your teenagers. Most of the situations referenced in this letter came to light because a student trusted a parent or an administrator enough to confide in him/her. Be diligent in your efforts to build positive and healthy relationships with your children. Drug and pornography dealers effectively recruit students with the offer of personal relationships temptingly free of responsibility or blame.
• Be vigilant. At all times, know where your teenager is and with whom they are associating. Make no assumptions.
• Know that many drug deals, fight arrangements, and other inappropriate behaviors are arranged and discussed via text messaging. Typically, those messages are saved on the cell phones you are providing.
• Log onto the sites students frequent: myspace, YouTube, facebook, etc. Do a search for your child, their friends and their school. You will be amazed at what you find. (If you need assistance, contact us and we’ll help you.)
In closing, let me repeat that we are proud of our students — your children. The recent Vail Pride Day provided almost overwhelming evidence of their abundant gifts, skills, and achievements. We also care about them and wish to protect them from the many risks and tempting behaviors so readily available to them. We seek to be honest with you and to work with you.
Sincerely,
Calvin Baker
Superintendent