Kevin Davy
kevind@isb.ac.th
This week we had a global non-profit substance abuse prevention organization (Freedom from Chemical Dependency) give several presentations, work with our students in small groups, and offer individual drop-in sessions. Back in August our students completed a well-established survey provided by FCD. Data came back that the vast majority of ISB students hold positive beliefs, engage in responsible decision making, and exhibit healthy behaviors. Here are a few of the healthy trends captured by the survey:
- 62% of students have never had a whole drink
- 77% of students do not drink, or typically drink 1-2 times per year
- 97% have never used alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs before coming to, or during, a school event.
FCD spoke of false perceptions that are sometimes woven into perceived social norms. Here is some data shared in regards to this:
- 5% of 11th graders say they typically use marijuana 1-2 times a year.
- Yet, 69% of 11th graders believe their classmates typically use marijuana at this rate or more.
- 92% of 9th grade students typically never drink alcohol.
- Yet, only 37% of 9th grade students believe their peers do not drink.
Here is some data shared in relation to alcohol consumption by ISB students:
- 148 students drank within the past 30 days.
- 145 10th-12th grade students drank within the past 30 days.
- Among 10th-12th graders, 45 students consumed 5 or more drinks in a row within the past 30 days.
- 3% of 9th graders drank in the past 30 days, versus 48% of 12th graders.
- Grade 12 reports most pressure to drink.
FCD also shared some parental advice on supporting prevention:
- Model healthy, appropriate attitudes and behaviors
- Set clear limits, expectations and consequences
- Know what is going on:
- after school
- on weekends
- during breaks/vacations
- When stress is high
- Get to know their friends
- Eat together
- Talk with your teens about alcohol and other drugs
- Listen to your teens thoughts about alcohol and other drugs
- Continue to share your thoughts and concerns
- Spend the time you can with them
Below are some resources for parents shared by FCD:
- FCD Prevention Works
- Find us on Facebook
- fcd.org
- schools@fcd.org
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- https://www.nida.nih.gov
- Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
- https://www.drugfree.org/
- Above the Influence
Our High School Counseling Department were also involved in presenting our ISB Safeguarding Policy to parents. At this presentation K -12 counselors presented parts of the policy and shared the details of the upcoming and ongoing student safety education. The entire Students Safeguarding Policy can be found on the Parent Portal on the ISB website… or following this link… https://inside.isb.ac.th/parentportal/student-safeguarding/
Grade 9
This week our grade 9 students had the opportunity to meet with our FCD specialist to talk about healthy choices surrounding drugs and alcohol. In general we have received good reports on this activity.
Science teachers will be talking with students next week about their choices in regards to second semester science courses. They will give descriptions of the courses and what might be a good fit for them. In semester 2 students will take either Biology 1 or Physics 1. About 10-15% of students decide to take both. This is not a requirement but for those students really love science sometimes this is an option they take, replacing an elective or free period with a science.
Grade 10
As always, it was enlightening and informative to have a representative from FCD (Freedom from Chemical Dependency) to share her story and give students and parents valuable information about substance use and abuse. The biggest “takeaway” for me was the fact that, according to student surveys taken at the beginning of this school year, the year when the greatest number of students begin to experiment with alcohol is in grade 10. What we as a school are trying to gauge is – why? Is it peer pressure that doesn’t exist in earlier grades? A tipping point of percentage of students drinking? Relaxed parental attitudes about responsible drinking and age/maturity? Adolescent/school issues and stressors? It’s a topic that we as counselors think a lot about. We’d welcome your ideas and input as parents anytime.
Grade 11
Junior Seminar 2 will take place, Thursday, Nov. 26 during Flex where the focus of the session will be on facts to consider when researching universities. Also, during Junior Seminar #2, students will be given a small homework assignment that both students and parents need to complete.
Grade 12
Transcript requests are now due. The final date to request school documents for universities with deadlines in December/January is Monday.
Canadian and Hong Kong Applicants – Share the application ID # after submitting your application with the counselor.
US and UK Applicants – Review essays with counselors BEFORE submitting your application.
ALL December/January Applicants
- Schedule an appointment NOW to submit all applications with your counselor before December break!
- Send standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS) before the application deadline.
- Send multiple applications at a time. In other words, plan to send more than one application in one appointment with the counselor.
- Remember to bring a credit card. Submitting online with the counselor requires students to make a payment.
- Remember that essays must be the student’s work, not the work of others. Seniors are encourage to share these in advance with their counselor. Counselors view these through the lense of what a university admission officer might see.
College Visits
Wednesday, November 25 (at 10:20 in Room 203)
U.S. Naval Academy