It's autumn! And with the cooler temps and falling leaves comes a series of special high school events in our county. It's time for Homecoming!
Every autumn, students, alumni, and their families come together for an event-filled weekend. School pride and community engagement take center stage. It’s a fun and rewarding time for everyone – but, for our teenagers, the excitement can be a bit overwhelming and can lead some to a tragic failure of judgment.
Numerous opportunities to party with friends and run about unsupervised provide many temptations for our teenagers. Football games, pep rallies, and school dances spark the revelry. Then, more often than not, there’s a post homecoming party that’s usually held off campus – and which can extend well into the night.
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Sadly, for some, these activities can involve underage drinking – and driving – which all too often leads to horrible consequences.
According to the U. S. Department of Transportation, 16-20 year olds have the highest risk of being killed in a traffic crash of any age group. Responding to this, local police forces step-up their DWI patrols during homecoming events - and are on special lookout for underage drinkers.
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Take a look at these simple actions to keep our kids safe – and actually help them have a better night in the long run:
Talk to Your Kids: Have a conversation about the homecoming events. Address your concerns right up front. Let your kids know what you expect of them. Clearly establish a curfew time and most importantly, let your child know you are there, under any circumstance, if they need you.
Foil the Pre-Game Plan: Try to foil any activities your child might be planning before the officially sponsored homecoming events begin. Parties beforehand only create more time and un-monitored opportunity for your child to find him or herself in a situation they will later regret.
Arrange for Safe Transportation: Find a reputable party bus or limousine service that will not tolerate underage drinking in their vehicle. For party busses, ask the limo company if they provide a chaperone service. Another tip: Transportation services aren’t just for our teens. If your class is celebrating an anniversary dinner or off-campus party, consider hiring a professional service to handle your driving needs, as well.
Homecoming fosters a unique synthesis of alumni camaraderie, professional networking and community pride. Let’s make sure everyone walks away from the experience proudly and safely.
