Catalyst

Informed Families Catalyst

Red Ribbon Week – Protecting The Mind in Our Digital Age

Posted by Peggy B. Sapp, President & CEO on October 9, 2023 at 5:27 PM

President's Message - October 2023

As we come together in this season of Red Ribbon Week, we are reminded of the enduring commitment to a drug-free and healthy lifestyle for our youth and our communities. But just as we pledge to keep our bodies free from harm, we must also extend that commitment to our minds—our most precious assets.
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Topics: President's Message, red ribbon, red ribbon week, high school, red ribbon theme, elementary school, Informed Families

Let's Reconnect this Family Day - September 25, 2023

Posted by Peggy B. Sapp, President & CEO on September 7, 2023 at 2:32 PM

President's Message - August 2023

As we gear up to celebrate Family Day on September 25, 2023, I wanted to take a moment to share some heartfelt thoughts with all of you.
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Topics: President's Message, high school, elementary school, family bonding, Informed Families, family dinner, Family Table Time

Creating a Drug-Free Culture in Schools: Strategies for Administrators

Posted by Informed Families on August 21, 2023 at 10:01 AM

In an era where distractions and societal pressures constantly beckon young minds, one challenge stands out starkly: substance abuse in schools. For many educators, confronting this challenge is more than just fulfilling a mandate. It's about preserving the sanctity of educational spaces and ensuring a bright future for every child.

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Topics: high school, elementary school, middle school, back to school, public school, private school

Prevention Education: The Role of Elementary Schools

Posted by Informed Families on August 11, 2023 at 7:26 AM

As society continues to evolve, so do the complexities and challenges facing our younger generations. More than ever, there's an urgent need to equip our children with the right knowledge, skills, and attitudes to help them navigate the world safely and responsibly. This need underscores the critical importance of starting prevention education at a young age - particularly, at the elementary school level.

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Topics: high school, elementary school, middle school, back to school, public school, private school

Back to School is Here

Posted by Peggy B. Sapp, President & CEO on August 9, 2023 at 10:01 AM

President's Message - August 2023

The phrase "Back to School" tends to stir a whirlwind of emotions in all of us. What are the first
words that spring to mind for you? And what about your child?
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Topics: President's Message, high school, elementary school, middle school, Informed Families, red ribbon certified schools, preschool, back to school

2019 Red Ribbon Certified Schools Recognized

Posted by Informed Families on October 15, 2019 at 12:00 PM

Informed Families newly-designated 2019 Red Ribbon Certified Schools include: Brownsville, Citrus Grove and Homestead Middle Schools in Miami-Dade County, FL; West Orange and Cypress Creek High Schools in Orange County, FL; and North Atlanta High School in Fulton County, GA.

The Red Ribbon Certified Schools in both Miami-Dade and Orange Counties received special recognition during the October School Board meetings in their respective counties.

 

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Topics: red ribbon, high school, orlando, middle school, red ribbon certified schools, drug prevention, christine stilwell, recognition, miami, orange county

Why Safe Graduation Parties Are Important for Florida High Schools

Posted by Informed Families on May 3, 2017 at 8:00 AM

According to the Florida Department of Education, there are approximately 200,000 high school seniors in our state. Most of those students will be graduating in the coming weeks. We want all of them to make it safely to the day after graduation…

Graduation is a time for celebration, but it can also be a dangerous time for students. The start of summer already has teens thinking about less responsibility and more fun; adding a milestone such as graduation to the mix gives many students an excuse to party more than they normally would. Unfortunately, in the process, these graduates might endanger their health and risk the safety of others. This can lead to tragedy for students right after one of the most significant achievements of their young lives.

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Topics: high school, underage drinking, binge drinking

What Actually Goes On at High School Parties?

Posted by Informed Families on April 13, 2017 at 8:00 AM

Parents of high schoolers worry about the parties their kids attend, and rightfully so. Drinking and drug use may occur at unsupervised parties; inebriated teens may get behind the wheel and endanger the lives of themselves, their passengers and innocent drivers; and alcohol poisoning, sexual assault or arrest are stark possibilities when minors drink to excess.

However, the image of a crazy high school party in which parents are on vacation and the whole school shows up for a kegger is a little overblown. Yes, the occasional party does approach out-of-control levels, but the majority of parties are smaller affairs, drawing no more than a few dozen kids, and perhaps even thrown with the blessing of parents who think teens will be safer if they drink in a supervised setting.

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Topics: high school, safe homes smart parties

Florida High Schools: How to Keep Your Prom Drug-Free

Posted by Informed Families on March 29, 2017 at 8:00 AM

Prom creates a wonderful memory for many students at Florida high schools. Teens plan, both individually and at school, to make prom a special night. Yet, drugs and alcohol can sometimes ruin that special night. In the worst-case scenario, the night can become tragic.

According to a AAA survey, 31 percent of high schoolers say they or someone they know plan to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol sometime during prom/graduation season. This statistic is troubling—students go through the effort of creating that special prom memory (not to mention the money their parents spend on gowns, tuxes and so on), then might get impaired enough to not remember the night.

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Topics: high school, drug free, drug prevention

Help Your Teen Throw Fun (and Safe) High School Parties

Posted by Informed Families on March 10, 2017 at 8:00 AM

The idea of high school parties often conjures images of outrageous bashes you remember from John Hughes movies or other teen flicks from the ’80s and ’90s. Or, perhaps you recall parties from your own youth and the chaos that may have accompanied them. These memories may scare you into never trusting your teens to throw a party themselves—even one that’s supervised.

Make no mistake: Unsupervised high school parties are a terrible idea, often descending into Sixteen Candles- or American Pie-type anarchy and destruction. However, when properly planned and supervised, with clear rules in place, your teens can throw a party for their friends that is both fun and safe. Here are some tips on how to help them make that happen:

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Topics: high school, safe parties, safe homes smart parties

About Us

We teach people how to say no to drugs and how to make healthy choices. To reduce the demand for drugs, Informed Families has focused its efforts on educating and mobilizing the community, parents and young people in order to change attitudes. In this way we counteract the pressures in society that condone and promote drug and alcohol use and abuse. The organization educates thousands of families annually about how to stay drug and alcohol free through networking and a variety of programs and services .

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