GILROY
– A Gilroy Unified School District drug awareness program for
fourth-graders is going through districtwide changes as a result of
recent parent complaints.
GILROY – A Gilroy Unified School District drug awareness program for fourth-graders is going through districtwide changes as a result of recent parent complaints.
District Nurse Eileen Obata is requiring schools to send notification letters home to parents before placing children in a federally sponsored drug prevention program. Parents will be allowed to review the program’s curriculum and materials to decide if they want their child to participate.
The actions come after two parents complained that children were being given a drug handbook designed for adults. Rod Kelley Elementary School parent Rebecca Rhobebeck said she was shocked when her 9-year-old daughter came home from school talking about street names for drugs and how certain drugs were used.
“I feel like they stole some of her innocence by giving her an adult guide without it being sealed up,” Rhobebeck said. “I would have appreciated a heads up. I know some totally involved parents who were not aware of this.”
Letters were sent home to parents this week since some fourth-grade classes around the district have yet to conduct the drug awareness program. The parents’ handbook containing explicit details on drugs may also be placed inside sealed packaging before it is given to students to take home, Obata said.
“It’s always a parent’s right to pull their child out of a program like this,” Obata said. “We want to make sure parents are aware of that.”
The 46-page handbook is published by the U.S. Department of Education and is part of the federally funded Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program, a GUSD mainstay the past four years. The booklet covers topics such as how to talk about drugs with children and what to do if a child might be using drugs.
The section Rhobebeck was most concerned over was on specific drugs and their effects. The six-page chapter shows photos of drugs from alcohol and amphetamines to mushrooms, crack and LSD. A multicolored chart also describes how the drugs are consumed, how they are referred to on the street and in some cases how they can be obtained.
“By the first grade, kids can read. What if one of them gets a hold of this booklet from a sibling?” Rhobebeck said.
Rhobebeck is also critical of one of the anti-drug program homework assignments. Students interview their parents regarding house rules on drug use and later share those rules with the teacher or the rest of the class.
“I can appreciate that schools recognize some parents don’t communicate with their children the way I do, but when they want to know what my house rules are they’re going too far. That’s just none of their business,” Rhobebeck said.
Rod Kelley Principal Luis Carillo said he was not aware of the complaint regarding the sharing of house rules. However, Carillo has met with the upset parents and assured them they have a choice whether to let their children participate.
“I could understand why a parent would be upset,” Carillo said. “But I think if measures are put in place notifying parents they can opt out, then parents will not be surprised in the future.”
