Date:  

February 8, 2007

Facilitator:  Maureen Cary

Location:

3 Blue Streak Blvd., 2^nd floor, School District Administrative Offices

Recorder: Robin Ambrosino

Attendees:

M. Hadden, E. Soto, M. Herman, J. Murphy, M. Cary, R. Burtt, M. Laudicina,
D. Pecelli, M. Marcus, B. Quinn, B. Boehmke, K. Behrens, T. Straus, T. Moon,
R. Ambrosino, S. Lang, K. Lanfear, R. Alderman, K. Pettigrew, J. Tirelli,
P. Laudicina, E. Jones, T. Paskewich, C. Lamport
 

Materials Distributed:

DVRC flyer, Help Save VOCA flyer

Overview

News & Announcements

Keep an eye out for upcoming spring announcements from Saratoga Springs City Recreation Department.

Funding  for victim services is being challenged in the federal budget this year. Karen Pettigrew needs people to write to their legislators at the national level to request that the funding remain in the budget. To do this, go to MADD's website and fill out the form before the end of April. Please spread the word to help support MADD's services to crime victims.

Domestic Violence/Rape Crisis of Saratoga County is offering a new parenting skills workshop. It is an 8-session program that will take place on Wednesdays from 9:30  - 11 a.m., beginning February 28 at the United Methodist Church Parlor Room, 101 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa.  This group will help parents give children clear limits and expectations, consistency and structure, a sense of security, and positive role models to pattern non-violent behavior. For more information, call 583-0280.

Elissa Jones from Alcoholics Anonymous would like to encourage young people in recovery to participate in this young adult AA group. For more information, contact her at ebj_2006@verizon.net .

There was an editorial in The Saratogian about how the school and paper and Partnership are working together to find new ways to recognize kids for the good things they do -- which is a nod to the Character Education column that runs every month in the paper. Thank you to The Saratogian for their ongoing support this initiative.
 

Survey Results
Presentation
& Discussion

Partnership staff presented PowerPoint about 2006 Youth and Parent Survey results.

When Partnership first started efforts at the middle school, we needed to focus on risk and protective factors, and we determined that we couldn't expect to see significant reductions for at least 5-10 years. There are mini cultures in classes that will affect what the trends look like over time.

Important consideration is how do we sustain middle school gains longer and longer.

It's not just 12th graders at parties. Underclassmen are there, too, and then they carry on the tradition.

Student comment:  Peer pressure is more from within -- more about confidence and self esteem, uncertainty about the culture, where you fit.
She believes more emphasis should be on the 8th/9th grade transition.

Perception from kids at the meeting is that there was more education about drugs when they were younger, but the people who come in to help them stop coming in as they get older.

Another student said she thought there was more pressure as a 9th grader to hang out with older kids. But she wasn't surprised about the use figures. She thought they would be higher.

Another student commented that he didn't think there was peer pressure at the high school.

Hans Lehr thinks that the dominant peer culture at the high school is negative. Not a critical mass of good messages/values.

There is a natural tendency toward less parental involvement as kids get older. YMCA staff finds this true, too. Kids can drive themselves.

Coutney suggested incorporating gambling prevention into Project Lift for both the parents and the kids. The information will reach the highschool-age volunteers, too.

 

Next Meeting

The next Partnership meeting will take place on Thursday, March 8th in the administrative offices at 3 Blue Streak Blvd. at 12 p.m.