We are heading towards the end of the school year and there’s real excitement in the air. The weather is warmer, the end-of-year countdown is on, and parties are being planned. Prom, graduation, trips … is there ever a more appropriate time to pull out that Virginia Rules binder and start talking to your students about safe (and legal) decision making?

Students and parents, let’s talk

Talking with students before these events to help them plan out how they will stay safe can really make a difference. If there’s a PTA meeting coming up, it’s helpful to remind parents and caregivers about the important role they play in helping set boundaries, and about the laws they need to follow if they host parties.

Alcohol and substance use

The Alcohol, Tobacco and Marijuana lesson plan has a great student handout called Underage Drinking: Dangerous and Expensive!, and the Opioids lesson plan and One Pill Can Kill campaign have great resources.

Start a discussion on staying safe and sober when attending parties. Help your students:

• Plan out how they will get safely to and from the event
• Resist pressure to drink, smoke or use drugs by having answers ready beforehand
• Know the importance of seeking emergency attention for a friend in case of an overdose
• Understand the penalties for using fake IDs

Driving

The Keeping Your Driver’s License lesson plan addresses distracted driving, passenger restrictions, and drinking and driving. It’s a great time to remind students that:

• There are limits to the number of people they may be able to have in their car
• Seat belts save lives
• Drinking and driving is never acceptable, and there is zero tolerance for anyone under age 21
• Options like having a designated driver and using Uber/Lyft can be planned out ahead of time

Healthy Relationships

The Dating Violence lesson plan covers the forms of dating violence and offers scenario discussion topics. Big life events such as prom and graduation can add pressure to an already unhealthy relationship. Make sure your students know:

• The warning signs for dating violence
• What teens can do to help if they or a friend are in an unhealthy relationship
• Where they can go to get immediate help if needed

With your help and that of the school community, parents and caregivers, students can stay safe, enjoy these milestones and create happy memories. Thanks for all you do!

Photo credit: Juan Ramos, Unsplash