Magruder HS Important Information | Col. Zadok Magruder HS

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Important Information

Information about ongoing MHS PTSA Initiatives and other subjects of interest to parents, teachers and staff.

How Precious is Your Teen’s Eyesight?

Ever hear of EYEBALLING VODKA? Type this phrase in the Youtube search box and you will see scores of videos on this new trend among young people who abuse alcohol.

The Washington Examiner article addressing this problem as graduation party and beach seasons approaches can be seen at http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Teens-warned-about-the-dangers-of-pouring-vodka-in-their-eyes-94781259.html

Links to help parents be proactive about helping their teens develop self respect and refusal skills can be found at http://www.notmykid.org/ , http://www.timetotalk.org/ , and the Student Assistance Program and Safe Home Pledge NewsBoxes on the Magruder HS website homepage: http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/magruderhs/

This announcement is a service of the Magruder High School PTSA Every 15 Minutes Committee. Every 15 Minutes will return to MHS in 2011. This year our focus is to empower teens to seek adult help if they know a peer is in harm’s way before a tragedy occurs, without fear of retaliation or being viewed as a “snitch.” If you want more information or are interested in joining us, please contact Patty Winters, E15M Project Coordinator, at patty.winters@verizon.net or 301-519-7537 or 240-421-7166.

Would Your Teen Recognize the Warning Signs of Dating Violence?

Probably not, because the warning signs are often insidious and mistaken for charm, concern, or “cute” jealousy by a teen who feels popular, accepted or “grown up” by having a boyfriend/girlfriend.

When a teen does recognize she is being abused – which is defined as ANY disrespectful treatment by her partner – she might not end the relationship or seek help because she fears retaliation against her or her family, or blame for the relationship failing.

Abusive partners are often controlling, manipulative and intimidating – and excellent con artists that can even deceive parents with their charm to gain a foothold in a relationship and make it hard to believe that they are capable of violent behavior. When the disrespect – verbal or physical – starts, the abusive partner then engages in a cycle of apologies with sweet talk and flowers and back to the abusive behavior, which often escalates over time, and leaves the victim full of self-doubt and fear.

There is no profile to the abusive partner, and the person one might least suspect uses this to his/her advantage.

Please see the June 21, 2010 Washington Post article, “Latest Weapon in Dating Violence: Texting” at this link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/20/AR2010062003331.html The link to the Kristin Mitchell Foundation is http://www.kristinskrusade.com/sitemap.html.

Other links to be informed about dating violence and where to get help if you know a victim or a perpetrator: www.thesafespace.org, www.ChooseRespect.org, www.loveisrespect.org, www.seeitandstopit.org, www.breakthecycle.org, and www.dosomething.org.

Helpful phone numbers:

911 for immediate danger. This sounds obvious, but some teens feel non-physical threats do not constitute an emergency. Tell your teen our first-responders WANT them to call if they feel threatened in any way, and they will not be penalized.

Montgomery County Crisis Center: 240-777-4000, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Montgomery County Family Justice Center, 240-773-0444, 9 AM to 5 PM, Mon – Fri.

National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline: 1-866-331-9474; TTY: 1-866-331-8453; a 24/7 service.

This announcement is a service of the Magruder High School PTSA Every 15 Minutes Committee. For more information, please contact Patty Winters, E15M Project Coordinator, at patty.winters@verizon.net or 301-519-7537 or 240-421-7166.

True or False: Teenagers Are Going to Drink Anyway

…So they may as well drink in my home, where I can keep an eye on them and take their car keys.

FALSE – because teens ARE capable of making their own decisions. They will have curiosity anyway, peer pressure anyway, temptation anyway, and sometimes think they are invincible anyway – but they do not have to think they may as well drink alcohol anyway because they perceive that expectation from adults, either directly because they hear us say it or indirectly through subliminal messages.

Let us help our teens to develop self-respect and refusal skills to make good decisions when it might be easier to do otherwise.

FALSE – because it is illegal to provide alcohol and other controlled substances to minors, even if you have good intentions. Please click on the link (please provide link here) for the Adult Host Responsibility flier that explains the law. Note that fines were increased March, 2009 to $2,500 for the first offense.

FALSE – because you can never be sure how much of any controlled substance a teen has consumed before arriving at your home for a “controlled” drinking party.

This announcement is provided as a service from the Every 15 Minutes Committee. Every 15 Minutes will return to Magruder HS in 2011. Our focus this year is how to empower teenagers to get an adult involved if they know a peer is in harm’s way, without letting fear of retaliation or “being a snitch” interfere with getting help. If you are interested in joining us or have questions, please contact Patty Winters at patty.winters@verizon.net, or 301-519-7537.

It’s 2010. Do you know who is spying on your teen?

Did you know there is software that allows you track an unsuspecting individual by hacking into his/her cell phone?

Click on this link to an ABC TV news report on how this works, and red flags that could indicate your teen is being stalked/harassed/spied on with this technology: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/stalked-cell-phone-10040683&tab=9482931&section=4765066&playlist=&page=1

Other links to current trends in threats to teen safety can be found at http://mysite.verizon.net/vzep53g1/mhsptsa/id25.html

notmykid.org, or “Not MY kid!”?

There is no profile to the student who abuses alcohol or other drugs. An unprecedented number of adolescents are using illegal drugs “recreationally” or prescription drugs to “help them do better in school” or relieve a sports injury, without realizing the scope of risks they are taking against their health and a happy, successful future.

NotMyKid.org was started by a mom who struggled with facing the discovery that her teenage son had been abusing drugs for two years before she found out. The website link is http://www.notmykid.org .

Type “Fox News story” in the search box to see an interview with this mom and how some teens hide their drugs “in plain sight.”

Q: When can a prescription drug hurt your teen?

A: When your teen does not have a prescription for it.

There is a growing trend among high school and college students to take potent prescription medicine without having a prescription for them, not for the purpose of getting high, but with good intentions or as a misguided way to cope with their stress.

The three most common types of drugs abused by adolescents in this way are narcotic pain medicines, tranquilizers, and ADHD prescriptions, which are often amphetamine-based.

There are inherent dangers in this practice because many teens believe since the drug is a prescription and approved by the FDA, it cannot be harmful like illegal drugs. Many also believe if they just take the medicine as a short-term solution to a problem, such as ADHD meds to “help them focus better on their schoolwork and do better on their exams,” they are not at any health risk. They can become addicted to these drugs, and experience depression if they stop “cold turkey,” such as when exams or a project is over.

If a teen believes the drug is without harmful side-effects and takes it with anything from over-the-counter cold or pain medicines to alcohol or marijuana, he could do serious harm to himself. He can also be supplied with a short-acting small dose of a drug from one peer, and a long-acting, bigger dose from another.

Teens who engage in this practice do not fit the profile you might expect. They typically present as a model student, who works hard for a high GPA, maybe takes too many AP classes, and is involved in many activities and clubs. These students take ADHD meds so they will need less sleep and experience the sensation of being more alert, a side effect of amphetamine. They self-medicate with tranquilizers to deal with the stress they are under.

Athletic students take narcotic pain meds for pain from their injuries.

Where are students getting these drugs? The two primary sources are the home medicine cabinet, and students who have a prescription for the drug. The latter group will sell or give their weekend doses, or skip doses, to supply them to their peers.

How can you tell if your teen is supplying her prescription pills, or receiving/buying them from another? If your teen is supplying his/her prescription, take note if they consistently “run out” before they should, “lose” pills, or suddenly have extra money. If he is taking a prescription without a doctor’s supervision, observe for erratic changes in behavior: a neat teen who becomes sloppy, a teen who watches what he eats who suddenly eats anything in sight, a change in sleeping habits, becomes more or less talkative than usual, etc.

We owe it to our teens to see them as the whole individuals they are, at this complex and pivotal time in their life. Some can appear over-reactive, angry and rebellious but are actually struggling with undiagnosed ADHD. If you have this concern for your teen, http://www.help4adhd.org/en/living/parenting/WWK20B can be a helpful source.

Cyber-Bullying On The Rise – Would Your Teen Tell You If He/She is a Victim?

ABC TV reports on the increased rate of cyber-bullying, which can devastate a teen’s self-confidence, and even lead to suicide. View the 1:41 clip at: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=9653438. This link also includes related clips.

Cyber-bullying among adolescents primarily takes place on the internet (Facebook) and through texting. Examples include posting actual or composite photos of the victim in an embarrassing situation, stalking the victim with incessant manipulative or belittling text messages, or spreading rumors.

How can you tell if your teen might be involved in either end of cyber-bullying, as victim or perpetrator? Watch for significant changes in their behavior: does she spend more time than usual in her room? Does he appear more evasive, irritable or stressed than usual? Is there a change in their sleeping, eating, hygiene or study habits?

Teens are often reluctant to seek adult help because they lack the confidence to take action, don’t think their parents would understand or feel they can handle the problem themselves. While demanding privacy is a hallmark of normal adolescent development, we parents need to find a balance between respecting our teens’ need for privacy and being aware of potential threats to their safety, health and success.

Some options include allowing your teen to have a cell phone but not include texting in their plan; having access to their text log or Facebook, or a “random audit” of these privileges with your teen sitting next to you.

If your teen objects to whatever plan you select to be proactive on this topic, use the opportunity to talk to him/her about cyber-bullying, including steps they can take if they or a friend become a victim. Advice on this topic can be found at: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/cyberbullying-tips#tip_answer_6

Help your teen avoid this con, which often leads to rape and other dangers

ABC TV aired a story on the topic of teenage workers being raped or sexually harassed by their employers. A sixteen-year-old who is interviewed explained she didn’t know better and felt obliged to obey her boss, and now has a high-profile lawsuit against Starbucks.

This girl’s story is also an example of the perpetrator bombarding his victim with incessant intimidating, belittling and manipulative text messages. The Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office now recognizes this practice as a tell-tale sign of an abusive relationship that teens are often conned by and parents don’t know about.

This problem occurs in “alarming numbers” (see link below) in many businesses that employ teens, and is just coming to our attention.

You can view the Good Morning America video (3:48 in length) and get more information at this link: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/teenage-starbucks-barista-sues-sex-demands-work/story?id=9631145

Please remember boys can also be victims, and please talk to your teens about how to recognize inappropriate behavior from an employer or co-worker, and what to do if they are treated in any disrespectful or unacceptable manner – including excessive or belittling text messages – at their job by anyone.

Free Driver’s Ed DVD!!

“Drive Safe!®, Keeping Pedestrians Safe When You’re Behind the Wheel,” was produced by the Montgomery County Office of Public Information in response to the unacceptable number of pedestrian fatalities in our county. The causes vary from obvious bad decisions, such as any kind of distracted driving, to common, everyday situations that can – and do – catch a driver off guard.

The DVD features the mother of a Magruder student who was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver three years ago at Muncaster Mill and Redland Roads.

To order your free copy, go to the Montgomery County website at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/dot/dir/pedsafety/request.asp and type “pedestrian safety” in the search box. Fill in the blanks and request the DVD in the message box at the bottom. Allow 4 weeks for delivery.

A 2010 Resolution That Keeps On Giving Back

Time to Talk is a great website for parents of teenagers, with practical advice on helping your teen stay smart, responsible and happy in today’s teen culture. Please take a moment to check it out at timetotalk@drugfree.org, and their current article, Making the Time To Talk Promise.

To paraphrase Garrison Keillor, time spent on adolescents is never wasted, no matter how much trial and error we invest in this effort! Resolve to listen and talk more with your teens this year – there is nothing to lose, and so much to gain!

Preventing Teenage Acquaintance Rape

There are many scenarios in which teen girls are raped, and they are not limited to underage drinking parties or being with a boy who has a rough manner. Teen girls can be easily intimidated or manipulated into unwanted sex if they have not developed refusal skills, the savvy to recognize when they are not being treated with respect, and the confidence to know they deserve respect.

Teen girls also need to have the courage and self-respect to report a rape if they are not able to avoid it, but many rapes go unreported because the victim blames herself or feels shamed, or fears retaliation from the rapist against her or her family.

As parents, there is much we can do to help our teens develop the life skills they need to avoid rape, as victim or perpetrator. Please visit the Victims Assistance and Sexual Assault Program (VASAP) under the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services website (please provide link: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/hhstmpl.asp?url=/content/hhs/vasap/index.asp), which offers several downloadable brochures, including Acquaintance Rape and Sexual Exploitation: What Adults Can Do To Help Teens.

Although teen rape victims are usually female, it is important to remember that males can also be victims. This applies to any form of sexual harassment.

Contract designed to facilitate communication between young people and their parents about potentially destructive decisions.

This contract is designed to facilitate communication between young people and their parents about potentially destructive decisions related to alcohol, drugs, peer pressure, and risky behavior. The issues facing young people today are often too difficult for them to address alone. SADD believes that effective parent-child communication is critically important in helping young adults to make healthy decisions.

Young Person

I recognize that there are many potentially destructive decisions I face every day and commit to you that I will do everything in my power to avoid making decisions that will jeopardize my health, my safety and overall well-being, or your trust in me. I understand the dangers associated with the use of alcohol and drugs and the destructive behaviors often associated with impairment.

By signing below, I pledge my best effort to remain free from alcohol and drugs; I agree that I will never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, I agree that I will never ride with an impaired driver, I agree that I will always wear a seat belt, and I agree to never drive drowsy or use my cell phone while driving.

Finally, I agree to call you if I am ever in a situation that threatens my safety and to communicate with you regularly about issues of importance to both of us.

_______________________________

Young Person

Parent (or Caring Adult)

I am committed to you and to your health and safety. By signing below, I pledge to do everything in my power to understand and communicate with you about the many difficult and potentially destructive decisions you face.

Further, I agree to provide for you safe, sober transportation home if you are ever in a situation that threatens your safety and to defer discussions about that situation until a time when we can both have a discussion in a calm and caring manner.

I also pledge to you that I will not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, I will always seek safe, sober transportation home, I will always wear a seat belt, and will never drive drowsy or use my cell phone while driving.

_____________________________________

Parent/Caring Adult

More Help to Prevent – or Stop – Drug or Alcohol Abuse by Our Teens

Do you really have the latest information on the current drug and alcohol culture among our teenagers?

Need ideas on how to supervise your teen’s party or prevent their guests from using illegal substances in your home?

Want a good free resource, including what to do if you suspect or know your teen or his/her friend is using drugs or alcohol?

Click on these links to sign up with The Partnership for a Drug-Free America. You will receive regular e-mails covering these and other related topics.

www.drugfree.org and www.timetotalk.org

Click here for information on the Adult Host Responsibility and penalties in Montgomery County