PrincipalŐs Message
May 26, 2005
Dear Parents,
Amazingly, the close of the year is near. It is difficult for me to comprehend how fast the year has gone, how eventful it has been and how energized I feel as I think about the possibilities for the next school year. As a school, we have much to be proud of including how well our students continue to achieve in academics, athletics, the arts and service.
In one of my first Messages I wrote of one of the most difficult challenges our young people in Malibu face. Inside and outside of school our students must negotiate pressure from peers and society about using drugs and alcohol. Recently, there has been a great deal of concern expressed by parents regarding behaviors on and off campus. Underlying what has been said and written is genuine concern for the safety of our students; including students who are struggling with their own use and those who struggle to fend off the pressure to use. Malibu High School is a safe school, but we are not immune to issues that impact schools throughout the country, and in many ways, our location and prosperity present challenges that are uniquely local. I do want to share with parents what we are doing as a school community as we wrestle with the challenge and effects of drug and alcohol use amongst our young people.
As the year has progressed there have been several people and organizations that have been thinking deeply about how use of alcohol and controlled substances impacts our school and community at large. Malibu High School has a Drug and Alcohol Committee that has met each month throughout the year. Early on, the committee spent a great deal of time talking about how to ensure a safe and enjoyable prom. We implemented several steps including visiting 11th and 12th grade classrooms to remind students of expectations, having students and parents sign prom agreements, and having adequate supervision that allowed us to greet prom guests as they arrived at the event. I was very proud of our seniors because they called their own meeting the day before prom to strongly encourage each other to forgo using drugs and alcohol before the event. We could not have asked for a more powerful message than one that came from peers. All of these efforts paid off and our students had a safe and enjoyable prom. We can be proud of the way our students represented Malibu High School.
The Committee discussed the need for curricular programs that address issues of substance and alcohol use. We had the opportunity to pilot a program from USC partner called Toward No Drug Use (TND). USC conducted pre and post-instruction assessments and provided our health teachers with all of the curricular materials used in our spring semester 9th grade health classes. The teachers reported that some of the lessons were better than others, but that they did provide an opportunity to open a dialogue with students. They shared that students were more open to talking about issues of use because the curriculum gave students a chance to talk. Also, because of your generous donations to The Shark Fund, we were able to contract with ŇDeputy BobÓ from the Los Angeles SheriffŐs Department to provide drug and alcohol education to 6th graders. Two of our seniors created a classroom presentation on the challenges of peer pressure that was shared in 6th grade classes. We are currently reviewing these educational components and remain committed to finding a place within our already stretched curriculum to educating students about drug and alcohol use.
Our work on the Committee is evolving. Specifically, we are capitalizing on the work of Boys and Girls Club and Malibu Foundation For Youth and Families by merging our Committee with their SMART (Skills Mastery And Resistance Training) Moves Committee. We found that our efforts were redundant and that we, as a school, strengthen our capacity to support our students by working with our community partners. This collaboration is logical because drug and alcohol use amongst our youth is not just a school issue; it is a community issue. As a single SMART Moves Committee we are busy working on several initiatives that we know will support studentsŐ needs and help parents by providing them the information and resources they need. Look for an informative town hall meeting this fall. Many people are busy planning a rich presentation that will be modeled after similar town hall meetings in communities that also struggle with these issues. We are developing a comprehensive information booklet for parents. We are mapping all the efforts of Malibu High School and the Boys and Girls Club, which will include descriptions of curricular programs and resources for students and parents who need help. The SMART Moves Committee is seeking to enhance the weekly teen/parent support group that is sponsored by Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, and which MHS hosts each Monday Night. The Boys and Girls Club staff has put together classroom guidance presentations that 6th graders will hear later this month. Our partnership with SMART Moves is emerging but shows tremendous promise for the future. I am hopeful that by thinking about these issues from a community perspective we will dramatically change the personally destructive behaviors of our youth.
Unfortunately, at times we are forced to deal with students who possess, use or distribute drugs or alcohol on campus or at a school sponsored event. When students have violated the DistrictŐs Controlled Substance Policy we have fully implemented it and administered the required consequences: 5-day suspension, report to police, 24 hours (12 with parents) of counseling, 40 hours of community service, and suspension from activities such as concerts or athletics during a 10-week probation period. I remind parents that we, as a Malibu High community, lobbied the school board to drop involuntary transfer as an immediate consequence. For many, this change in practice was controversial in that we removed what many feel is a powerful deterrent to student possession or use on campus. For us it means that when violations occur we help our students as opposed to transferring responsibility to someone else. We own our studentsŐ issues and as such we need to let our students know that if they need help, we will help them, if they need parameters set, we have set them, and, if they need consequences, we will issue them. We do these things because we care and hold a genuine concern for our students.
We continue to be proactive in responding to reports of use and/or possession on campus. We follow up on all ŇtipsÓ by meeting with suspected students, which, when reasonable suspicion exists, may include searching student belongings. Faculty and staff have been asked to refer students who they suspect are under the influence to an administrator or campus security. If an immediate health risk is present we will ask the school nurse to examine students. Campus security have stepped up their supervision of restrooms and other areas on campus where students may be found engaged in inappropriate activity. Our ŇParent EyesÓ have been tremendously helpful supervising the campus. It is extremely important that our students feel safe at school and know that we take our responsibility to ensure their safety seriously. We are working to maintain the delicate balance between the needs and rights of individuals with those of the school community. Doing so requires that we strengthen our relationships with students and families. We must build trust with concerned students so they feel they can come forward with information they believe jeopardizes the safety of themselves or others. We must also build respectful relationships in which students who need help will come forward and seek assistance from adults on our campus. Navigating into, through and beyond adolescence is difficult for all young people. Having to fend off the pressures of drugs and alcohol is a community challenge and we, as adults in our young peopleŐs lives, must give all students what they need to move through this phase in their lives.
I close this portion of my message by offering parents several suggestions of how students and parents can help each other. If you or your student have specific information about behaviors on campus let an administrator or security know. Do so thoughtfully; false reports (that have little initial merit) undermine our ability to effectively attend to use or possession on campus. Encourage your student to share their feelings with an adult on campus. If your student is feeling pressured, unsettled or has questions, speak to them or direct them to their school counselor. If your student is using, let them know they can talk to someone at school who can connect them with support they may need. Encourage your student to get involved in school activities such as athletics, activities, the arts, or clubs. Be your childŐs advocate while allowing them to take responsibility for their behaviors. DonŐt allow your fear of your childŐs safety to take hold. Contact us if you want to know something. While there are certain privacy rights we must uphold, we will share what we can and hopefully make you feel better about your concerns. Lastly, remember that we are a safe school. We all care and want the very best for all of our students.
I had hoped to write a detailed reflection of the school year. I confess that there are so many amazing things happening as I finish this newsletter that I fear I would not do a sufficient job honoring all the hard work of the school community. Therefore, I will close with more global thoughts regarding the school year.
I feel incredibly blessed to be working with amazing teachers, administrators, faculty, staff, coaches and volunteers who demonstrate their deep commitment to our students each and every day. Our work as a school is generously supported by parents and community members who give their time, energy and financial support; enabling us to sustain quality programs while schools all over the country feel the strain of financial hardship. I am struck by how invested the community is in the success and well being of all of our students. While points of view may differ, people are always willing to Ňcome to the tableÓ and discuss thinking in a way that demonstrates a common vision of success for all. I congratulate the Class of 2005 and bid them all well as the leave Malibu High School. They will leave our school well prepared. Each graduate has a story to tell about his or her time at MHS. As a community we can share in their achievement and we can be certain that they will proudly represent our school.
I personally thank you all for your kindness and support throughout the year. Each day I hear encouraging words that affirm that we all want the best for our students. I wish everyone and enjoyable summer and look forward to welcoming our students and families back in the fall.
Sincerely,
Mark O. Kelly
Principal