meeting

Went to the breakfast meeting over the concern over the drug issue in our school's and community.  The meeting was well represented - mayor, clergy from all churches, social service people, the juvenile detective, a probation officer from drug court, some parent reps, guidance counselors, Young Life leader, school board reps, some others from different areas of expertise, the administration from both the high and middle schools and me.   This meeting was the brainstorm of the principal.  Perhaps the packet I gave the high school might have inspired him?  I kept stressing in my packet the need to come together as a community to work together on it, so maybe it was part of the reason.  Funny, they mentioned that last year was the worst year for drug issues.  Funny, my son was up to eyeballs in it.  I don't think that comment was accurate but it did seem that way being it was my son involved and there were some media circus stories that hit our community and surrounding community.  Unfortunately, the first 50 minutes the principal did his same ol', same ol' statistics speech.  Figures are important BUT he spent way too much time on that being that he invited all of these people who had something to say.  And then a parent went off - rambling and rambling about her son's issues.  She kept apologizing for going on and on but she kept talking and talking.  All of our problems are relevant but if she only knew what I went through......  I guess I'm stronger than I thought.  People told me that throughout the ordeal.  I don't know about that but keeping this journal certainly has been a godsend.  I can vent, rejoice, fret, etc..and do it safely.  That is part of the reason I've been able to keep my problems at bay, away from people.  So we will see what comes of this meeting.  Guess this will be a continuing format.  I have so many ideas.  I was able to introduce some.  Ended up giving the principal my notes.  Doubt he will use them.   At the end of the meeting he passed out a evaluation form requesting input and asked what the next step could be.  I couldn't think of anything to do for the next meeting, but now I am full of some ideas.   I hope the principal is open to them.  He asks for help but yet likes to do it his way.  He has a very, very strong reputation of micro-managing everything that goes on at that school.  It frustrates a lot of people.  It did me when I tried getting some programs, etc in before.  So we'll see.    Oh -- they loved the packet.  The priest from our church asked for one, the principal at the middle school, and the principal from the high school.  I don't know if he had had a chance to see my previous packet.  Gave a copy, finally, to the detective.    What is neat about the packet is, although it's directed to parents, the school and police dept. can be educated not only on the obvious info. but also they can look at it in a parent's prospective.    I did write a letter that was addressed to the parents in the packet that was a bit personal - about the discovery, the embarrassment, the helplessness, and finally encouraging the parents to seek outside help - including school and the law, if necessary.  I didn't sign my name.  They know who I am, obviously, but I still feel a bit uncomfortable.  Oh well....they do need to know how a parent really feels anyway.  BTW - frustrated with T - BIG TIME!  He is not home.  He had to be up at school for one final (since it's ceramics there is no final but they HAD to be there to help clean up in order to pass) and he did get a rideto school  from my friend, since I was at the meeting, but he should have come home after that.  That was hours ago without a phone call.  I had him set up with my other friend, whose his chemistry tutor, T didn't show.  He also didn't come home yesterday - we had to hunt him down.  Said he "forgot" to call.  Not sure what I can take away.....maybe the natural consequence is.....no tutoring, no studying - failure.  I hope he comes home sooon.  He's been doing soooo well.....