NHS To Hold A Freshmen Forum

On Underage Drinking

By Eliza Hallabeck

For the second year in a row, Newtown High School freshmen and their parents are urged by faculty members and community groups to attend a Freshmen Forum on Underage Drinking on March 16, at 7 pm at the school.

The event is co-sponsored by Newtown Youth and Family Services, the NHS PTSA, and Parent Connection. It is also supported, but not funded, by the Newtown Prevention Council.

Speakers will provide different perspectives on the topic of underage drinking, and Newtown’s District Health Coordinator Judy Blanchard said specific Newtown facts on underage drinking, learned through the 2009 Drug and Alcohol survey, will also be shared with attendees.

“It worked well the first time,” said NHS freshmen class Advisor Jeremy O’Connell. “We’re all trying to take it to the next level.”

Last year’s Freshmen Forum on Underage Drinking came together after a committee worked with both local groups and parents to both schedule the event and book speakers.

Speakers at this year’s event will include Officer William Chapman from the Patrol Division of the Newtown Police Department, Emergency Medicine Physician at Danbury Hospital William Begg, and two speakers associated with Alcoholics Anonymous.

Freshmen Class Advisor Cheryl Lombardo said the advisors have been working with the freshmen since August, and are hoping for a positive turnout for the event.

The forum has been promoted through the school’s health courses, and now, Mr O’Connell said the two advisors are “putting it into third gear.”

Ms Lombardo said it is important for parents to have a basic understanding of the topic of underage drinking, and the forum will be beneficial to communication between the attending parents and their children.

For more information on the upcoming Freshmen Forum on Underage Drinking and to sign up to attend the event, e-mail Cheryl Lombardo at Lombardoc@newtown.k12.ct.us.