DUXBURY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Physical/Health Education Department
Wellness Education
Unit: Drug Resistance Education
“MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES”
SUBSTANCE ABUSE UNIT
Dear Families,
The Physical Education staff welcomes you to Wellness Education. As we move toward comprehensive health education, this year, all seventh and eighth grade students will be instructed in wellness education during their physical education class for one term. We are excited to have the opportunity to instruct students about promoting a healthy lifestyle. The focus of this term’s class will be our Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention unit entitled: “Making Healthy Choices”. This unit is based on “Project Alert”, the federally approved nationally recognized substance abuse prevention curriculum for middle grades. The program is a developmental continuum of information presented in our grade 5 curriculum.
The topics taught in this drug prevention unit are aligned with the Duxbury Health Education Curriculum and the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Education Frameworks. Topics include:
· What can happen to me if I smoke cigarettes?
· What can happen to me if I smoke marijuana?
· What can happen to me if I abuse alcohol?
· Where do pressures to abuse drugs come from?
· Developing resistance skills to social pressures and inner pressure
· Inhalant abuse
As you are probably aware, middle school students are vulnerable to social influences but not yet heavy users of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, or other drugs. This curriculum is designed to allow the students the opportunity to practice refusal skills and other strategies that will help them avoid risk behaviors. Risk situations are left unfinished for our class to discuss or role-play. Other key components are: Why some people use drugs and why MOST people don’t; How to recognize the pressures on young adolescents to use drugs; and how to resist these pressures.
Often the success of a student’s decision to remain drug free is to interact regularly with their parents/guardians regarding your values and beliefs on these issues. Occasionally, the homework assignments will involve you and your youngster. This letter is one example of parental involvement. Please sign below as evidence that you have read this. It is hoped that these assignments will provide you the opportunity for a “teachable moment” with them.
Grades for this class are based on class work, homework, class participation, quizzes, tests, presentations, and activities. A 3-ringed binder will be necessary to keep notes, handouts and worksheets. Grades will be visible on the portal in your child’s Physical Education class.
Your child’s teacher is circled below. If you would like to contact us, the most reliable way is through email:
Lori Bennett ()
John Blake ()
Denise Makein ()
Greg Seery ()
Anne Wargo ()
GRADING
Grades are computed in the following categories:
Classwork/Homework: (CL/HW): Worth 25 points
· Maybe scored by icons
ü + = 25 (100) 1-2 incorrect
ü = 20 (80) 3-4 incorrect
ü - = 15 (60) 5+ incorrect
INC = Incomplete 14 points or less
Projects/Activities: (Proj /Act.): Worth 100 points
Quizzes (QZ): Worth 50 points
Tests (T): Worth 100 points
Homework handed in late may be accepted for reduced credit
· -2 points deducted for each late class meeting time
· On 4th class meeting time late = counted as Zero
------CLASS RULES
R. RIGHT TO LEARN – RESPECT OTHERS
E. EFFORT
S. SAFETY
P. PURPOSE
E. ENTHUSIASM
C. CHALLENGE
T. TRUST/TEAM BUILDING
1. Please do not touch anything in the room unless given permission.
2. Only WATER is allowed to drink, no gum, and healthy snacks only!
3. The teacher’s desk is OFF LIMITS.
4. Respect all equipment
5. Please do not sit on tables.
“LET’S HAVE FUN AND A GREAT TIME TOGETHER!”
Student Name (please print): ______
Parent/Guardian (Signature required): ______