Teen Drug Use Scenarios

Scenario 1

Allison was having a bad year. After years of not getting along, her parents had finally decided to get a divorce. While there was a lot of tension in the house, her parents were trying hard to be polite to each other and considerate of Allison's and her younger brother's feelings. Always a good student, Allison continued to find comfort in studying hard and getting good grades in school. Her best friend, Susie, had really been there for her, too. Every weekend Susie had planned something fun for them to do by themselves or with other friends. Over the past several months, Allison and Susie had gone ice- skating on a regular basis, seen many movies, and gone bowling. Allison had also continued to play soccer on her school's team. Throughout the year, Allison had been able to talk to her parents about the pending divorce. Allison's parents had been willing to listen to her concerns and discuss her anger about this big change in her life. Allison felt really sad, but she also felt that she was going to be all right.

Scenario 2

Laura felt as if her life was falling apart. Her parents had just told her that they were getting a divorce. Although her parents hadn't gotten along for years, Laura had always hoped that they would find a way to stay together so they could continue to be a family. Instead, her parents didn't seem to have any time to talk to her about her feelings. Laura had always thought that she had a few good friends, but she wasn't feeling like she could turn to them now. Her friend Katy had a boyfriend, and she didn't get a chance to see her soccer teammates much outside of games and practices. Laura had always been a good student, and she continued to complete her assignments on time. But she had noticed that it was becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate on her schoolwork. Because she was feeling lonely and isolated, Laura was considering going to a party with Katy. She had heard that some kids brought drugs to these parties. For that reason, she had always stayed away. Now, however, she thought that it might be a way to get out of the house and forget about her problems for a little while. It might be fun. Laura was thinking that unless something else happened so that her social life improved, she might just go.
Questions

1.     Which girl is more vulnerable to becoming involved with drugs? Why?

2.     What role do friends play in both girls' lives? Do you think friends are an important influence? Give reasons to support your ideas.

3.     What role does family play in the girls' lives? Do you think the family is an important influence? Give reasons to support your ideas.

4.     Do you think that Allison is going to turn to drugs? Why or why not? What factors in her life will help her decide not to use drugs? How do you think those factors will affect the way she makes decisions about other issues in her life?

5.     Do you think that Laura is going to turn to drugs? Why or why not? What factors in her life will affect the way she makes a decision about drugs and other issues in her life?

6.     What do you think are some characteristics of people who turn to drugs? What are some characteristics of people who cope in other ways? Give examples to support your ideas.

Five Keys to Navigate High School Successfully

Mr. Turnbull

Summit High School Physical Education/Health

Summit Track & Field

1.      Get Involved in a club, sport or activity.

a.     There are more than 80 clubs/sports/activities that you can choose at Summit High School.  One of the keys for success is staying involved and engaging your body and brain through interaction and engagement with other people striving to attain the same objective. 

2.     Choose your friends wisely.

a.     The single most important factor for your success is who you surround yourself with.  Your friends dictate your personal decisions more than anything else.  In my own personal journey through life, I’ve found this to be true.  Healthy relationships build the foundation for your own growth.   Build a strong foundation! 

3.     Challenge yourself academically.  Grow your brain!

a.     Summit offers many AP classes and courses that will challenge you.   Don’t stay in your comfort zone.   The more brain stimulation you can get in high school, the stronger your brain becomes for life!  Engage in music or arts classes.  Did you know that the networks you build now will last a lifetime?  Why not take advantage of the award winning teachers and coaches we have at Summit? 

4.     Develop and “Organization Plan”.

a.     In my experience, organization is the key to success in high school.  Most people would claim that the intelligent or “smart” kids are the ones that climb the ladder most quickly.   What I’ve found is that the kids that appear “smart” are the ones that have good organization.

                                               i.     Do you have a calendar on your iPad of phone?   Use it!  “Calendarize” all of your homework assignments!

                                             ii.     Set alarms to remind yourself!

                                            iii.     Get an organizer that you take to each class and use it religiously. 

5.     Manage your “Social Network” appropriately.

a.     The world has changes since I was in high school.  Phones have created a new frontier that we never had to deal with.   Here are a few tips!

                                               i.     SHUT YOUR PHONE OFF AT NIGHT!   Yes, I said shut if off.   You may think that this will cause you stress.  Actually, you’ll sleep better.  Uninterrupted sleep is VITAL for success.   As a side benefit, your phone is a computer and ach night when you turn it off, your system re-sets and runs better.  Your battery will work much better (as will your own personal battery)!

                                             ii.     During class, turn your phone off or to silent so it doesn’t distract you.  Studies have shown that interruptions from your phone damage concentration.  https://www.informationweek.com/mobile/mobile-devices/smartphone-notifications-kill-your-concentration/d/d-id/1321253

                                            iii.     Shut your phone off while studying for an exam or doing an important assignment. 

                                            iv.     Cell phone usage during class can actually damage your relationship with your teacher.   Think about it.  What would you think of a friend who ignored you to grab their phone and check messages while you were talking to them.  Pretty rude huh?  Teachers are human.  They will see you in a different light if you attend to your phone in class. 

**Now that you’ve read my tips to help you navigate through high school, please write up a short summary and your own personal thoughts about these suggestions. 

Five Keys to Navigate High School successfully

Five Keys to Navigate High School Successfully

Mr. Turnbull

Summit High School Physical Education/Health

Summit Track & Field

1.      Get Involved in a club, sport or activity.

a.     There are more than 80 clubs/sports/activities that you can choose at Summit High School.  One of the keys for success is staying involved and engaging your body and brain through interaction and engagement with other people striving to attain the same objective. 

2.     Choose your friends wisely.

a.     The single most important factor for your success is who you surround yourself with.  Your friends dictate your personal decisions more than anything else.  In my own personal journey through life, I’ve found this to be true.  Healthy relationships build the foundation for your own growth.   Build a strong foundation! 

3.     Challenge yourself academically.  Grow your brain!

a.     Summit offers many AP classes and courses that will challenge you.   Don’t stay in your comfort zone.   The more brain stimulation you can get in high school, the stronger your brain becomes for life!  Engage in music or arts classes.  Did you know that the networks you build now will last a lifetime?  Why not take advantage of the award winning teachers and coaches we have at Summit? 

4.     Develop and “Organization Plan”.

a.     In my experience, organization is the key to success in high school.  Most people would claim that the intelligent or “smart” kids are the ones that climb the ladder most quickly.   What I’ve found is that the kids that appear “smart” are the ones that have good organization.

                                               i.     Do you have a calendar on your iPad of phone?   Use it!  “Calendarize” all of your homework assignments!

                                             ii.     Set alarms to remind yourself!

                                            iii.     Get an organizer that you take to each class and use it religiously. 

5.     Manage your “Social Network” appropriately.

a.     The world has changes since I was in high school.  Phones have created a new frontier that we never had to deal with.   Here are a few tips!

                                               i.     SHUT YOUR PHONE OFF AT NIGHT!   Yes, I said shut if off.   You may think that this will cause you stress.  Actually, you’ll sleep better.  Uninterrupted sleep is VITAL for success.   As a side benefit, your phone is a computer and ach night when you turn it off, your system re-sets and runs better.  Your battery will work much better (as will your own personal battery)!

                                             ii.     During class, turn your phone off or to silent so it doesn’t distract you.  Studies have shown that interruptions from your phone damage concentration.  https://www.informationweek.com/mobile/mobile-devices/smartphone-notifications-kill-your-concentration/d/d-id/1321253

                                            iii.     Shut your phone off while studying for an exam or doing an important assignment. 

                                            iv.     Cell phone usage during class can actually damage your relationship with your teacher.   Think about it.  What would you think of a friend who ignored you to grab their phone and check messages while you were talking to them.  Pretty rude huh?  Teachers are human.  They will see you in a different light if you attend to your phone in class. 

**Now that you’ve read my tips to help you navigate through high school, please write up a short summary and your own personal thoughts about these suggestions. 

My thoughts:  (Please write your summary and thoughts below).