I HAVE A VOICE, AFTERALL!!!

I had the meeting with the Middle School Principal in our town today.  He used to be my older sons' Assistant Principal at the high school a few years back.  Those were the days I didn't have any dealings with that disciplinarian position.  I never got to know him but I did meet him once and saw him from afar for the parent meetings in the past but THAT was the extent of it.   He was so wonderful and open to all of my ideas!  He listens!  He resonds!  He doesn't write me off and avoid me like the High School Principal!!!  We both know why.  The H.S. Principal always is over-extending himself with all the feel good popular causes.  He keeps all of the stigma associated causes at an arms length, yet he seems compassionate and has been so wonderful with my son.  That is the important thing.  We all have our strengths and weaknesses - so I'm glad I have the Middle School Principal as a strength because MIDDLE SCHOOL is the most important group - kids and parents to get this message across.  The packet I created will be distributed to ALL the parents of the M.S.. That includes 5th through 8th grade!  And that's not all.....he's open to the "Parent Drug Awareness, Education, and Prevention Program I'm designing.  I am so thrilled.  I have a vision as to how I want this presented - that I hope will result in that.  I envision - an interactive piece, visual - powerpoint and film clips, music when appropriate, a young adult willing to give their story, some "paperwork", and possibily the D.A.R.E. officer could add his part.  Yes - my idea to get the parents there is to connect it with DARE.  Since parents usually attend the D.A.R.E. graduation, why not have the parents take a class and receive a diploma right along with their child?  Parents are consistantly left out in this area.  It surprises me for as long as D.A.R.E. has been around that a similar program (not necessarily associated with DARE) hasn't evolved.  Afterall - hasn't it been established somewhere that it's a FAMILY DISEASE?    Baby steps.........(but I did make some big ones today)