Dear Parents and Guardians,
Prom season has arrived. With the big night just around the corner, there is a buzz of excitement about what to wear, where to take pictures, and planning for after prom. Before prom night, I ask you to encourage your son or daughter to attend the LRHS PTSA’s After Prom Party as a great alternative to hosting house parties or other types of parties for teens.
Both the police and Howard County Public Schools want to remind parents that:
- Drivers under the age of 21 are not permitted to have any alcohol in their systems. Consequently, one drink at home or on the way to a school-sponsored event may result in severe disciplinary and legal penalties, including loss of driving privileges. Policy 9230 (Alcohol, Other Drugs, Prescription Medication, and Over the Counter Products) with the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct outline school consequences for alcohol and/or citations at prom or post-prom.
- It is illegal for parents (or any adults) to serve alcohol to persons under the age of 21, even in home settings. The “social host” laws impose fines for adults who furnish alcohol to minors or allow the consumption of alcohol by minors on their premises.
- School staff will supervise the Prom along with our School Resource Officer. All school rules will be enforced. Suspected alcohol/drug use or other inappropriate behavior could lead to an extended suspension from school, mandatory counseling, and exclusion from extra-curricular activities.
- If at all possible, families should provide transportation to and from the Prom and the After Prom Party.
- Families should contact the adult host(s) of any prom parties not sponsored by the PTSA to ensure that activities and level of supervision are acceptable. Howard County Police have an alcohol unit that investigates such parties and there is a number to call (410 -313-2284) if you hear of a party where alcohol will be served.
- Allowing students to rent hotel rooms or attend private parties in hotel rooms is strongly discouraged. The Police will respond to all reports of loud parties, underage drinking, destruction of property, or disorderly conduct.
- The Department of Police, as part of its safe driving efforts, is assigning additional police officers to patrol the area around the post-prom party for the sole purpose of keeping our students safe. They will strictly enforce all speed, DWI, seat belt and other violations that they observe.
In addition to these guidelines, parents/guardians should consider these tips:
- En Route: Ride sharing with adult drivers is a good idea. Make sure everyone understands the expectations for picking up dates, parking, and night driving conditions.
- Emergency Plan: Teens are often hesitant to “tell”, even when they don’t feel safe. Reassure them that they can text or call you to pick them up right away if they feel they may be in a dangerous situation.
- Don’t forget to Charge: Selfies, texts, and group photos will be a big activity that can drain a cell phone battery quickly. Remind teens about appropriate posting on social media with everyone’s permission and then remind them to consider how they will re-charge their phones so that they can check-in with you.
- Curfew: When is your teen expected to be home? This doesn’t mean driving home or being almost there or waiting on a friend or a change of plans in the middle of the night. Make sure that the curfew time is clearly communicated
- Buckle Up: Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory and it’s the law. A wrinkled prom gown or a crushed tux lapel is no excuse to skip seat belts.
- No Texting and Driving: This teen age group has the largest proportion of driving accidents while distracted. Remind all drivers to PARK THE PHONE while driving.
- No Alcohol or Drugs: This goes without saying. Also, talk to your teen about not getting into a car with anyone who might be impaired.
- After Prom: It is important to know where your teen and date are going to be after the prom is over. Have a check-in time. Share contact information with other parents. As the night gets later and later, juniors and seniors will begin to get tired so they should remember that drowsy driving is just as dangerous as impaired or distracted driving.