Drug and Alcohol contract in 2nd grade
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| Sun, 10-28-2012 - 2:08pm |
At our elementary school, last week was what they called, "Red Ribbon Week". Each day, they were told to wear certain colors or hat to represent a drug-free week. On Friday, my son, who is in second grade came home with a contract he had signed an agreement not to use tabaco or alcohol. My son does not even know what "alcohol" is. I was a bit bothered that my son was told in school, in 2nd grade, what alcohol is. I can understand presenting this at the fifth grade level, before kids go into middle school, but second grade?
Would this bother any of you? At what grade level do you think it is appropriate to bring up this topic? Does anyone feel that parents should be told or even asked to sign a permission paper ahead of time if they want their child to be told about drugs and alcohol?
Maybe it is just me, but I was surprised.
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2nd grade does seem a bit young! But then again, you also hear about kids trying out risky behaviors earlier and earlier these days so maybe they are just trying to get a jump on things?
I agree with you, though. Some kind of "heads up" for the parents would have been nice!
Lisa
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That seems young to me. i know kids start things earlier and earlier but still some heads up to parents too. My 4th grader has seen things en route to school (yes so impressed with the nip bottles, condom wrappers and even needles in the parking lot. School is off a main street its happening after hours. Get the nip bottles outside my door too since we are right on a main street too. he has seen drunks and druggies taking public transit with me and he actually knows recovering addicts and alcoholics he just doesn't know it yet) But like I said parent warning. My son has people in his life and family that have had issues. I think he is still too young to totally understand and understand the difference of dad have a beer on a Sunday watching football and someone who has a drinking problem. I grew up with an alcoholic grandfather; I was DS age when he would take us to bars or when we caught him drinking in basement but we didn't know it was wrong. I clicked later but we also saw responsible alcohol use. I grew up with Nancy Regan and JUST SAY NO. Again I was about DS age but just like with grandfather didn't click at that age. I think parents and schools need to work together with these issues. I get they are probably trying to get to them before the temptation. My neice had the DARE program in 5th grade and my sister needed to give consent. I think I was about DS age when my friend and I accidently discovered a neighbors pot garden. Again no clue what it was but MAN did they threaten us NOT to say anything and we never did and again years later I had an AH HA moment. Maybe I was naive. So older kids in neigborhood were doing things but think parents were still bubbles back then.
I haven't talked to DS other then not to touch when he sees needles and nips on the ground and to tell teacher if they ever see it on school yard. They have talked about smoking in school because he lectures dad and in those conversations we have touched a bit that its addictive and not that easy for dad to just stop. When he gets older he will learn about family history with drugs and alcohol because along with family history I also have to worry about his ADHD and anxiety and combos with those meds he needs and explaining the difference between good medication and using it for bad...
It does seem kind of ridiculous--have you ever heard of a 2nd grader who was smoking or drinking? I think it should be middle school when they bring these things up. I wouldn't be upset about it. I am not a big drinker but when the kids were little they would see their dad having a beer & just be told that it's something for adults to drink not for kids--I think that's all they need to be told.
Thank you all for your replies. I hope you can all see this message :)
I agree with all of you. Second grade seems a bit too young to ask students to "sign a contract" I think that is the part that bothered me, that my son was asked to agree in writting, but yet, parents were not informed that the children would be asked to do this.
My son knows too about having a beer once in awhile during the football game. Someone posted that all this age really need is the basic information. That I am OK with. My son has not asked questions or said anything.
I also have heard of the DARE program being introduced in 5th grade.
I am not real upset about this, just would like to have been informed or even asked permission.
Thanks again!!
Arryl,
A contract to do their homework in kindergarden? That is unbelieveable!! Did you say anything to the school or just let it be?
I have not mentioned the contract my son signed to the teacher/principle. I figured that there may be more "too early" intervention still coming. I hope that sexual education still occurs in the fifth grade (as it use too in many cities I know). I would be at the principles office if the school informs my child of this topic this early and/or without parental consent.
I know there are greater issues in the school to be concerned about, so trying to let it go .... (big sigh). Thanks for responding :)
While a heads up would have been nice... I don't really see a problem with them talking with the kids about these topics. We've been talking about them for awhile now......... not as sit down things, but by working it into everyday things (like watching smokers huddle under umbrellas trying to get a smoke in the rain, when the news talks about drunk drivers, etc)