RUMFORD — Parents and other community members will have a chance next week to provide ideas on ways student drug and alcohol use can be reduced, particularly during graduation week.

Chris Decker, assistant principal at Mountain Valley High School, said all community members are invited to brainstorm ideas for an initiative called Keeping Students Safe. The session will be held at 5:30 p.m. March 23 at the high school library.

“We plan to spend most of our time brainstorming ideas to deal with the challenge and select tasks for followup,” Decker said.

Law enforcement officials, along with high school administrators will attend the event. Some work has already begun to address the need, and that will be reviewed, Decker said.

Already in the works are several Wednesday afternoon activities for juniors and seniors during the months of April and May, including talks by law enforcement officers and lawyers. Other ideas are needed for this block of time.

He said officers from the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office and the Rumford Police Department plan to attend at least a couple of those afternoons. A mock arrest will be staged, and discussions on drinking and driving will be held.

Graduation is set for June 2. The week prior to the ceremony, seniors will have a chance to travel to Old Orchard Beach, have a cookout, bonfire and participate in class night activities.

The group is also looking for donations to help pay for some of the scheduled events.

Decker said Keeping Students Safe is separate from the annual Project Graduation, which generally buses graduates to an all-night site for a variety of activities after the ceremony.

Those interested in more information on Keeping Students Safe may call Decker at 364-4547, ext. 7126.

“Together, we can make a real difference,” he said.

eadams@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link